Maternal & Child Health

June 25, 2024

Secondary Growth Analysis and Dissemination of Findings from the Mama Aweza Trial

The Global Center for integrated Health of Women, Adolescents, and Children (Global WACh) is a leading research center dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women and children globally. As part of this work, the group’s Mama Aweza (“mother can” in Swahili) research team was working to promptly identify malnourished children in the vulnerable…

Designing and Delivering Weight-Inclusive Care Training for Medical Residents at Seattle Children’s Hospital

Weight bias refers to the negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination from being at a higher body weight. Experiencing weight bias is harmful to physical and psychosocial health, especially among vulnerable pediatric populations. Medical providers are common perpetrators of weight bias, frequently recommending weight loss based on the body mass index (BMI), which is supported by…

Provider-Based Needs Assessment for Lactation Support in Washington State

Washington state’s rate of breastfeeding exclusivity through six months consistently remains above the national average, but falls below the Healthy People 2030 objective of 42.4%, and additional barriers to lactation support exist for low-income nursing parents and families belonging to marginalized identities. In partnership with the Washington State Lactation Collaborative (WLC), this project aimed to…

June 7, 2024

Accessibility to WIC-Authorized Ethnic Food Stores in Washington State: Implications for Serving the Needs of Immigrant WIC-Eligible Populations

The Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the federal nutrition assistance programs that safeguards food security among immigrant and refugee families. At least 20% of WIC participants in Washington state are of immigrant and refugee backgrounds, but the accessibility to culturally preferred foods through WIC-authorized stores is unknown. Utilizing…

June 5, 2024

Nutrition Policy and Food Service Guidelines Recommended for Adoption by Teen Feed

As a growing body of evidence demonstrates, food transcends beyond biological needs and interplays with behavioral, social, and mental concepts of whole-person health. Community-based organizations serving minoritized populations, like Seattle’s Teen Feed, are uniquely positioned to tailor nutritional programming to the needs of their client populations, informing nutrition practices and behaviors to support health across…

December 19, 2023

Laying a Foundation for a Human Centered Design (HCD) Hub Within the Government of Tanzania to Innovate Nutrition Solutions

Crafted workshop materials and activities for an initiative to build capacity for the use of Human-Centered Design (HCD) at the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), focusing on innovative solutions for exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding transitions, infant feeding packaging, and managing severe acute malnutrition. Community Partner: University of Washington Department of Human Centered Design &…

High Impact Obesity Prevention Standards (HIOPS) in Pennsylvania

Conducted qualitative research to identify the policy-to-practice implications of HIOPS implementation into early childhood education (ECE) licensing regulations in Pennsylvania. Presented findings to Keystone Kids Go, a state level workgroup of multisectoral ECE professionals. Community Partner: Keystone Kids Go

October 10, 2023

Pediatrician Survey: Assessment of Feeding Difficulties in Primary Care

Pediatricians in Washington state tend to delay referring children for assistance with feeding difficulties, compounded by long wait lists for this needed support. There is now an effort to create an improved, three-tier approach in the state to decrease the amount of time children and families spend waiting for feeding difficulty assistance, which includes: increasing…

Exploring the Role of High School Athletic Trainers in Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Eating Disorder Early Detection, Prevention, and Return to Play

Worldwide prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents is increasing and current research suggests that in the United States and Europe, 5.5-17.9% of young women and 0.6–2.4% of young men have experienced a DSM-5 eating disorder (ED) by early adulthood. Athletes are at greater risk of developing an eating disorder and the age of onset is…

Nutrition Interventions in Pediatric Intestinal Failure from Short Bowel Syndrome: A Case Report

Intestinal failure from short bowel syndrome is a complex condition that impairs nutrient and fluid absorption. Without appropriate monitoring and treatment, it can result in significant morbidity, organ complications, decreased quality of life, and suppressed growth. Current evidence supports early total parenteral nutrition (TPN), enteral and oral feeds to reduce long-term TPN dependence, and medical…