Research Program: Prevention & Etiology
Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health

nels5024@umn.edu
Preferred method of contact: e-mail

Dr. Nelson's primary interests are in environmental and behavioral determinants of excess weight gain during adolescence and young adulthood. Her current work focuses on weight gain among college students and influential characteristics of the campus environment. Dr. Nelson received her Ph.D. in nutrition, with a concentration in epidemiology, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her doctoral work, Dr. Nelson received a B.S. in nutritional sciences from Cornell University and trained as a registered dietitian at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Research Interests

Modifiable determinants of weight gain during emerging adulthood; environmental and behavioral determinants of body weight status in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood; disparities in obesity and related health behaviors.

Selected Publications

Nelson MC, Larson NI, Barr-Anderson D, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Dietary intake, meal patterning and home food environments among emerging adults: Disparities between non-students and 2- and 4-year college students. American Journal of Public Health, in press.

Nelson MC, Kocos R, Lytle LA, Perry CL. Understanding the perceived determinants of weight gain in late adolescence: A qualitative analysis among college youth. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, in press.

Nelson MC, Story M, Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Lytle LA. Emerging adulthood and college-aged youth: An overlooked age for weight-related behavior change. Obesity 2008; 16(10): 2205-11.

Larson NI, Story M, Nelson MC. Neighborhood Environments: Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods in the U.S., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2008 Oct 30. [Epub ahead of print].

Nelson MC, Lust KD, Story M, Ehlinger E. Alcohol use, eating patterns & weight behaviors in a university population. American Journal of Health Behavior, in press [scheduled for publication: 2009; 33(3): 227-237].

Fulkerson JA, Nelson MC, Lytle LA, Moe SG, Heitzler C, Pasch KE. The development and validation of a comprehensive home food inventory. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2008 Nov 4;5(1):55.

Nelson MC, Lust KD, Story M, Ehlinger E. Associations between credit card debt, stress, and leading health risk behaviors among college students. American Journal of Health Promotion 2008 Jul/Aug; 22(6):400-407.

Pasch KE, Nelson MC, Lytle LA, Moe SG, Perry CL. The adoption of risk-related factors through early adolescence: Associations with weight status and implications for causal mechanisms. Journal of Adolescent Health 2008 Oct;43(4):387-93.

Nelson MC, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan P, Sirard J, Story M. Longitudinal and secular trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics 2006; 118;1627-1634.