Our research lab aims to improve nutrition and health during the critical periods of development, from pregnancy to childhood. We work to decrease health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities and those participating in federal food assistance programs such as WIC.
Research Projects
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Optimal Vitamin D for Maternal and Infant Health
Breast-fed infants are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency because breast milk contains insufficient amounts. Hence, public health guidelines suggest infant vitamin D supplementation to begin at birth yet, only 1/3 of US infants meet this recommendation. Our most recent work in this area explores adherence with current infant vitamin D policies and requirements among infants participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). We are also exploring predictors and health outcomes associated with maternal vitamin D status from the National Children’s Study, a longitudinal study of >5,000 US women followed from pregnancy.
Funding: Georgia CTSA NIH award (UL1-TR002378)
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"What Children Eat": Studying Children's Diet Recall Accuracy
Errors in dietary assessment limit the ability to assess to detect true diet-diseases associations. Children are unique in dietary assessment due to developmental and cognitive immaturity. Our work focuses on improving the accuracy of dietary recalls among elementary school-aged children, through exploring the effects of age, body mass index and race/ethnicity. We are piloting testing this project in a local school and summer camp. This is important work as these projects will advance our understanding of children’s dietary assessment and alter methods used by national surveys and researchers.
Funding: Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Foundation
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Improving Access to Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition
Georgia ranks #2 and #8 respectively for highest maternal and infant mortality rate nationally, and #4 for highest low birth weight (LBW; babies born weighing <2,500 grams). LBW infants are more likely to die during the first year of life and to develop health problems such as infections, than normal-weight infants. Research also suggests LBW infants have an increased risk of chronic conditions in adulthood. Black/African Americans in rural Georgia have ~1.5-4-fold increased risk of a LBW birth as compared to the state average. Receiving proper nutrition before, during and after pregnancy can also improve both mother and offspring health. We are gathering in-depth insights into the gaps in prenatal nutrition education as well lactation support in rural Georgia. This will help inform future community intervention/s which may include the development of new programming to serve the rural target population.
Funding: Rural Engagement Workshop Seed Grant
Meet the Staff
Sina Gallo
Sina Gallo examines how diet during the critical periods of development affects health and disease.