Laura L Bellows
2015
Research Statement
My current research is focused on public health interventions to address obesity risks in
pediatric populations, specifically in those most at-risk due to health disparities. I
investigate how developmental behaviors in early childhood - food neophobia and gross
motor skills– relate to dietary intake, physical activity, and weight status.
Previous Research Training
I obtained my undergraduate degree from Miami University (cum laude, 1997), where I double
majored in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. I completed my Masters of Public Health in
Nutrition at the University of Michigan (1999). As an MPH student I was not required to
complete a research project, however, I sought out various research experiences. One such
experience was with UM’s Division of Geriatric Medicine for an intervention study to enhance
mobility, balance, and physical activity in older adults. I had the opportunity to work hands on
with study participants living in the community, which piqued my interest in community-based
clinical research.
In 2001, I joined the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State
University (CSU) as a Research Associate with Dr. Jennifer Anderson. My responsibilities
included the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a research-based program, The
Food Friends, aimed at enhancing eating behaviors in young children. In this position, I had a
significant role in writing grant proposals, overseeing graduate student research projects, and
fostering relationships with local/state partners. In 2005, I designed a study to develop and
evaluate a physical activity program (Mighty Moves) to complement our Food Friends program.
This study was funded by USDA and served as the basis of my dissertation research. Over the
course of 4 years, I managed most aspects of the study, including IRB approval, formative
research, intervention development, subject recruitment, data collection and analysis, and
abstract/manuscript preparation.
Upon graduation (2007) I remained at CSU where I continued to be mentored as well as had the
opportunity to develop as an independent researcher. During this time I sought opportunities to
enhance my content knowledge and research skills. I participated in nationally renowned
courses, including: Physical Activity and Public Health (University of South Carolina & CDC);
Community Based Participatory Research (University of Michigan) and Nutritional Epidemiology
(Johns Hopkins University). Through work with colleagues at CSU and the University of
Colorado, I gained proficiency and skills in study design; intervention research; and various
measurement techniques related to qualitative data, child feeding, objective physical activity
assessment, and the home food and activity environment. Utilizing these new skills and
partnerships, I led an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team in the design of a longitudinal
study to assess the impact of a nutrition and physical activity intervention in early childhood.
This project, The LEAP study, was funded in 2010 by USDA (PI Bellows). The success of this
grant has led to a new USDA-funded project, the HEROs study (2015-2020; PI Bellows), to
develop a, technology-based, interactive family intervention to assess the potential amplification
of The Food Friends programs on young children’s eating and activity behaviors in both
childcare and family settings.
Collectively, the impact of my research has resulted in: $9.5 million dollars of grant funding as PI
or Co-PI in the past 5 years; 16 peer reviewed papers (12 as 1st or senior author), 30
presentations at national and international meetings (past 5 years), and in 2011 being awarded
the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by President Barack Obama.
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Laura L Bellows
2015
Current research objectives
My research goals are to explore how modifiable behaviors and environments impact child and
parent behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, and healthy growth. This goal is guided by
a philosophy which espouses the close connection between behavior and health outcomes and
a commitment to influencing behaviors in early childhood and at-risk populations.
Broadly, my research interests revolve around the impact of community-based interventions on
public health outcomes. Specifically, I have focused on the development of eating habits and
physical activity patterns in early childhood audiences. To date my work has utilized innovative
approaches in the development, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention (Food
Friends & Mighty Moves) aimed at preventing childhood obesity in preschool settings. The
LEAP study, is exploring the impact of this intervention longitudinally on the eating habits,
physical activity patterns, and weight status of young children. I am interested in exploring how
altering developmental behaviors in early childhood, such as food neophobia and gross motor
skills, influence dietary intake, physical activity, and weight status over time. Our newly funded
HEROs study will allow us to explore the influence that the school and home environments have
on these behaviors. Collectively, this research will not only generate fundamental knowledge of
how behaviors impact weight status but how the interventions induce behavior changes which
may impact health outcomes in this at-risk population.
Future research objectives
I am committed to continuing to focus on improving health outcomes of audiences most at risk
for health disparities (limited resources, Hispanic, and rural settings) and those with limited
health literacy through community-informed interventions. I plan to continue to explore how
modifiable behaviors and environments impact child and parent behaviors related to nutrition,
physical activity, and healthy growth. The synergy of working in communities, involving students
in research, and examining the impact of innovative approaches on improving the health of
children and families, drives my commitment and passion for public health and behavioral
research.
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