Center for Obesity Prevention

Facilitating obesity prevention by:

Developing and implementing socio-ecologically-based and holistic obesity prevention programs
Developing human capacity for sustained future innovation
Implementing innovation knowledge transfer and public outreach
Developing strong international engagement initiatives focusing on obesity
Ensuring operational effectiveness and growth of the Center

Serving Preschoolers, their Caregivers, and their Siblings

Center Objectives

To generate and apply knowledge in the development of socio-ecologically-based and holistic obesity prevention programs, with a particular focus on preschoolers, their caregivers, and their siblings.
To develop human capacity for continued future innovation through undergraduate and graduate students, Cooperative Extension specialists, and the teachers/caregivers of preschoolers.
To implement innovative knowledge transfer and public outreach efforts, ensuring that solutions generated by the Center benefit the targeted end-users, particularly preschoolers, their caregivers, and their siblings.
To develop international collaborative research, teaching, and Extension initiatives including support for the national effort designed to increase the number and diversify the composition of American students studying abroad for continued future innovation in the prevention of obesity.
To ensure operational effectiveness and growth of the Center.

About the Center

The Center for Obesity Prevention at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is poised to accelerate the progress in obesity prevention through effective and holistic programs that address key underlying determinants of obesity and enhance an effective and sustainable behavior change.

The mission of the Center is to provide educational programs, research-based information, and technology transfer that focus on obesity prevention and the needs of individuals in the tri-county area of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and nationwide enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and their economic, social, and cultural well-being.

Core Faculty

Malinda D. Cecil, Ph.D., RD, LDN, Assoc. Prof. & Director Didactic Program in Dietetics
Cathy A. Ferraro, Lecture/Director of Dietetic Internship
Donna M. Long, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Director of Child and Family Development Center
Missale Kumelachew, Ph.D. Associate Professor
Jada E. Brooks, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Virginie M. Zoumenou, Ph.D., LDN, CNS Associate Professor/State Extension Nutrition Specialist, 1890 EFNEP/FCS Program