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Dietary & Physical Activity Assessment

A student pointing at something during a nutrition counseling session

This field of study is dedicated to improving our understanding and management of individuals' dietary intake and physical activity/exercise to correlate with metabolic health outcomes. Researchers employ a range of tools, including food frequency questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls, dietary biomarkers, food security assessments, observations, and accelerometry, to assess and gain insights into the eating patterns, nutritional habits, and physical activity of individuals.

Areas of Interest

  • Adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines
  • Dietary quality
  • Eating behaviors
  • Food security status
  • Metabolomics
  • Nutrition security
  • Nutrition status

Faculty

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    Brenda M. Davy, PhD, RDN , bio

    Professor: Obesity and body weight regulation; behavioral and metabolic aspects; diet and cardiovascular diseases; dietary intake assessment; water and beverage intake and health

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    Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, PhD , bio

    Assistant Professor: Food choice and food reward; neuroscience and metabolism

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    Valisa E. Hedrick, PhD, RDN , bio

    Associate Professor and Director of the Dietary Assessment Laboratory: Dietary intake and health; dietary assessment methodology; non-nutritive sweeteners; evaluation of nutrition intervention programs

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    Vivica I. Kraak, MS, PhD, RDN , bio

    Associate Professor: U.S. and global food and nutrition policy; public health; governance for sustainable diets and food systems; food and beverage marketing

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    Enette Larson-Meyer, PhD, RD, CSSD, FACSM , bio

    Professor, Director of the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (MSND) Program, and Director of the Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (NEM) Lab: How nutrition and exercise influence health and physical performance; special interest in energy, vitamin D and iodine metabolism

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    Sarah Misyak, PhD, MPH , bio

    Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Director and Program Manager for Research and Evaluation for the Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program (EFNEP and SNAP-Ed): Food Access; food and nutrition security; public health nutrition; program evaluation; health disparities

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    Carlin Rafie, PhD, MS, RD , bio

    Assistant Professor and Senior Extension Specialist: Community based participatory methods for evaluation of community health knowledge, resources, and needs; development, dissemination and implementation of lifestyle management programs

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    Elena Serrano, MS, PhD , bio

    Professor, Extension Specialist, and Director of the Virginia Family Nutrition Program: Effectiveness of food and nutrition programs and initiatives to promote nutrition security; examination of contributors to food and nutrition security

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    A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands outside for a photo.
    Jeff Stein, PhD , bio

    Assistant Professor: Type 2 diabetes management; obesity; health behavior; tobacco use; decision-making; behavioral economics

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    A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands outside for a photo.
    Stella L. Volpe, PhD, RDN, ACSM-CEP, FACSM , bio

    Department Head and Professor: Nutrition and exercise in the prevention of obesity and diabetes; sports nutrition