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Katherine R. Mellen
Lecturer
Health Promotion |
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University of Iowa
Dept. of Health and Sport Studies
E128 Field House
Iowa City, IA 52242-1111
319-334-4568 voice/ katherine-mellen@uiowa.edu
Interests
- Determinants of food choices and physical activity
- Use of environmental interventions to promote diet and activity changes
- Eating disorders and body image issues in women and men
- Use of nutrition as an ergogenic aid
My interests are a reflection of my educational background. As a registered dietitian I focus on helping individuals improve eating habits to prevent disease and enhance health and performance. My health promotion masters degree extended my interest and expertise to improving health through the promotion of physical activity. My epidemiology/public health doctoral degree has provided me with a strong grounding in the need for multi-level approaches in changing health behaviors.
My research focuses on the health of college students, specifically risk factor clustering and predictors of health behaviors. College is a transition time for students and identifying factors that are associated with both positive and negative health behaviors allows for the development of effective interventions. Supporting healthy behaviors via interpersonal, organizational, and environmental strategies can help students maintain healthy behaviors during their collegiate years and beyond.
Education
Ph.D., University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, December 2007
Epidemiology
M.A., University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, May 1997
Health Promotion
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Dietetic Internship, June 1995
B.S., Bradley University, Peoria, IL, May 1994
Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Selected Publications and Presentations
Mellen, KM. (2010). Evaluating designer waters/beverages and evaluating sports nutrition products. In F. Armenth-Brothers (Ed), Great Ideas! Active Ways to Teach Nutrition. New York: Benjamin Cummings.
Presentation: Don’t Wait, Walk! Point-of-decision prompts to promote physical activity Presented at: ACSM Walking for Health Conference, Champaign, IL, October 2005.
Presentation: SnackWise: When You Choose a Snack, Choose Health at Iowa Dietetic Association Annual Meeting, Ankeny, IA, October 1998.
Current Grant Funding
Global Health and Global Food. International Programs Curriculum Development Grant, Co-recipients: Kathleen F. Janz & Maureen McCue, University of Iowa International Programs, Summer 2009.
Courses Taught at the University of Iowa
- Food and Your College Experience
- Fitness/Sport Nutrition
- Global Health and Global Food
- Health in Everyday Life
- Health Promotion: Theory and Practice
- Nutrition Intervention
- Understanding Food and Nutrition
