How We Impact
In the Community
Children
The preschool years represent a time when young children establish healthy eating habits and physical activity patterns for optimal growth. Early childhood is a period of rapid development that affords the best opportunities for implementing behavioral changes that can reduce obesity risk. We develop innovative interventions focused on influencing the healthy development and growth of young children. Intervention materials and strategies are designed for the classroom and home to help teachers and parents to positively influence children’s eating and physical activity behaviors.
Families
Families are another important influence on young children’s eating and activity habits. The home environment offers children opportunities to develop healthy habits, establish routines, and its where positive parent-child interactions occur. We work with parents to build understanding of their child’s development and what that means for eating (why are they picky?) and activity (building motor skills). We also recognize that moms are great at taking care of everyone else but often neglect themselves. Focusing on self-care practices and chronic disease risk in mothers can influence the entire family.
Early Care and Education
Children’s eating and activity behaviors are influenced by factors that are unique to each child, and by the child care environment, which includes the classroom and the playground. Teachers substantially influence children. Therefore, we work with teachers to better equip them with the resources and information to promote healthy habits and school readiness skills in children. We also believe that a healthy workforce leads to healthy children. We focus on teacher health and wellness so then can be their best self. We partner with preschools and childcare centers throughout New York and Colorado to provide hands-on nutrition and physical activity programs that are fun and effective.
On Campus: Engaged Learning
Education
In the Health Behaviors Lab students advance their education by pursuing their interests and gaining the fundamental skills and knowledge to work in their field of study. Students are exposed to experiential and informal learning and develop additional abilities, knowledge, and values through hands-on experiences outside of the classroom. The diverse backgrounds and interests of each student provide an opportunity for all team members to learn and benefit from each other. In the end, we impact our students by offering experiences that enhance leadership, academic growth, social engagement, critical thinking skills, and overall success.
Professional Development
The Health Behaviors Lab has access to resources and organizations that support professional growth. Through the different research projects and programs, students are able to interact and collaborate with individuals and departments from multiple academic disciplines as well as engage with community partners. This interdisciplinary approach drives our projects to success. A vital aspect of a student’s professional development is to network, teach, learn from, and collaborate with a wide spectrum of collaborators.
Mentoring
Students and Post-docs are crucial to the success of our projects. Through mentoring, we provide the resources and support needed to be academically successful, acquire high quality research skills, and tools for professional growth and development. We value each individual’s unique background and interests. Our projects highlight students’ strengths and encourage creativity, innovation, and critical thinking.
In the Field: Engaged Research
Community Nutrition
The HBL works with other Cornell faculty (Drs. Figueroa, Leak and Odoms-Young) in the community nutrition concentration. Collectively, we are committed to addressing healthy equity through translational research. Faculty and students come together monthly through the Community Nutrition Brown Bag series to engage and dialogue on current works in progress and future ideas.
Maternal Child Nutrition
The Division of Nutrition Sciences has a strong history in maternal and child nutrition across the translational research spectrum. We support doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows working in MCN on an NIH T32 training grant. This includes a weekly seminar on MCN topics.
Student Involvement
Interested in joining the HBL?
Graduate: Check out the Division of Nutritional Sciences website for information about our graduate program.
Undergraduate: Email Dr. Bellows with your resume and how your interests align with the HBL.