Our team engages in intentional translational research with the aim of reducing the gap between the evidence-based and implementation of and access to health-promoting interventions and services in the community. Through our efforts, we see a future where children and families make healthy eating and regular physical activity a natural part of daily life.
Group Members:
- Taren Massey-Swindle, PhD – Associate Professor
- Cindi Nobles – Program Manager
- Ashley E. Williams, MSHS – Research Program Director
- Dong Zhang – Assistant Professor
We Move with Windy
We Move with Windy is a physical activity study delivering tailored intervention for preschoolers born to mothers with obesity. It aims of the study is to provide training to increase physical activity, muscle-moving skills, and encourage healthy eating habits in both child and mother through 18 weeks of in-person sessions and at-home activities.
Learn moreCommunity Expecting
The Community Expecting study promotes physical activity through exercise and training that support healthy habits in pregnant women with obesity and inactive lifestyles. It also explores strategies for enhancing social connection and community well-being through inclusive participation, support and stronger community networks.
See study detailsWISE Babies
WISE promotes healthy eating in preschoolers using 4 EBPs: a mascot, role modeling, positive feeding, and sensory food experiences. WISE Babies adapts these for ages 0–36 months with curriculum, training, and parent tools. Lessons follow a 4-week cycle: sensory food intro, self-feeding skills, educator strategies, and parent engagement. Activities align with standards and support home use.
Find out moreWISE Words
WISE Words is a project that focuses on improving feeding practices and learning how those practices influence children. This project aims to evaluate a set of co-designed implementations to remove and replace harmful mealtime feeding practices in early care and education settings serving children ages 3 to 5 years.
Continue readingWISE
WISE (Together, We Inspire Smart Eating) is a preschool nutrition program that promotes healthy food attitudes through classroom curriculum, educator training, and parent materials. Focused on ages 3–5, it encourages food discovery via positive modeling, autonomy-building feeding practices, and sensory-based fruit and veggie experiences featuring Windy WISE the owl.
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