Although in-person research has halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to continue the online components of our research studies, including the MINT Study. We recently updated the study’s website where you can find more information about this groundbreaking study, study updates, and a COVID-19 resource list.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives in various ways. The Widen Lab team recognizes that this is a challenging time for our study participants as well as other parents and parents to be. We have put together a list of resources that can help navigate these unprecedented times and added it to our MINT Study Website.
If you are a MINT participant, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about anything included on this list.
Muhammad Asim, a former visiting scholar with the Widen Lab, recently published a mixed-methods paper on prelacteal feeding practices (feeding substances or liquids other than breast milk to newborns) in Pakistan in the International Breastfeeding Journal. This paper triangulated data collected using both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey) methods and found that prelacteal feeding is a well-established social norm in Pakistan, and may be associated with several socio-cultural influences. We are so glad we had the opportunity to work with Asim on this project and look forward to the next iteration of this work!
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!
Amy Nichols was awarded the 2019 Jean Hankin Nutritional Epidemiology Research Grant from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. This $20,000 grant is awarded to provide financial support to a doctoral student working on a dissertation in the area of nutritional epidemiology. This grant will support Amy’s research focusing on maternal nutrition during pregnancy in women with twins and higher order multiple gestations.
Amy also was awarded a $5,000 American Society for Nutrition Predoctoral Fellowship, which recognizes the excellence of her dissertation research.
Congratulations, Amy!
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.
Congratulations to Jessica Dziuba, Health Science Scholar and Honors Nutrition Major in the Widen Lab. Jessica has been awarded a TIDES summer fellowship from the College of Natural Sciences. Jessica is investigating how nutrition during pregnancy and in early life impact short and long-term maternal and child health, and is working in the lab on the MINT Study and other projects.
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.
