Amy Nichols, a doctoral candidate in our lab, and Dr. Widen recently published a paper in the Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease in the article titled, “Prepregnancy obesity is associated with lower psychomotor development scores in boys at age 3 in a low-income, minority birth cohort.” The article explores associations between maternal adiposity and cognitive development in children. This research specifically looked at psychomotor development, or the development of a child’s cognitive, motor, and social capacities. The main findings presented in the paper provide evidence for an association between maternal obesity and decreased psychomotor development. Specifically, boys showed the biggest difference in their psychomotor development if they had mothers who were obese, compared to boys with mothers who were of normal weight. This work is one of the first studies to show sex-specific differences in child development related to maternal adiposity. We are so proud of Amy and all her hard work!

 Pictured: Dr. Beth Widen (left), Jessica Dziuba (right)

Jessica Dziuba, a Health Science Scholar and Honors Nutrition Major in the Widen Lab, presented her Honor’s thesis research titled, “The Benefit of Breastfeeding: Differences Between High and Low socioeconomic Status Mothers,” at the Longhorn Research Poster Session on April 17th, 2019. Jessica’s research examined the relationship between breastfeeding duration and long term maternal weight patterns.

Pictured: Elizabeth Widen, PhD, RD (left) and Amy Nichols, MS, RD (right)

Pictured: Monique Hedderson, PhD (left) and Amy Nichols, MS, RD (right)

Amy Nichols, MS, RD is a third year PhD Candidate and Assistant Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin. Amy has been working with the Widen lab for 2 years. She successfully passed her preliminary examination on December 18th, 2018 and has been promoted on to a PhD Candidate. Congratulations, soon-to-be Dr. Amy Nichols!

Amy’s dissertation research focuses on appropriate weight trajectories in high-risk pregnancies and infant outcomes associated with maternal obesity and twin gestations. Amy’s preliminary committee included Elizabeth Widen, PhD, RD, Monique Hedderson, PhD, Tom Brenna, PhD, Sina Haeri, MD, and Jaimie Davis, PhD, RD.

We were thrilled to welcome Dr. Monique Hedderson to our lab. Dr. Hedderson is a research scientist from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, and collaborator of the Widen Lab. She joined us in December to present her current research regarding obesity and weight gain during pregnancy and how these findings can lead to prevention strategies for pregnant women.