Maternal and Child Health
Gestational Diabetes Prevention Program
The overall purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a pre-pregnancy lifestyle intervention to reduce the recurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus in multiethnic overweight and obese women. The study is a collaboration with the Miriam Hospital/Warrant Alpert Medical School at Brown University and is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To get more information click here.
Principal Investigator: Suzanne Phelan, sphelan@calpoly.edu, 805-756-2087
Co Investigator: Todd Hagobian, thahobia@calpoly.edu, 805-756-7511
Mealtime for Toddlers
The purpose of the Mealtime for Toddlers study is to better understand maternal and toddler feeding interactions and relationships with child weight gain and risk of obesity. This is a collaboration with the Miriam Hospital/Warrant Alpert Medical School at Brown University and Temple University. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Principal Investigator: Suzanne Phelan, sphelan@calpoly.edu, 805-756-2087
Better Bottle-Feeding Study
The purpose of our study is to learn more about how bottle-feeding influences infant feeding. For this study, we are recruiting formula-feeding mothers with 0-8 week old infants. Mothers and infants who agree to participate in our 12-week study will be asked to participate in 4 home visits wherein we will observe mother-infant feeding interactions and assess infant growth and development. Families who participate in our study will be eligible to receive free baby bottles and up to $100. This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Principal Investigator: Alison Ventura, akventur@calpoly.edu, 805-756-5693
Infant-Feeding Study
The purpose of our study is to learn more about infant feeding behaviors during breast- and bottle-feeding. For this study, we are recruiting breastfeeding mothers and their 0-6 month old infants. Mothers and infants who agree to participate in our study will be asked to visit the Cal Poly Infant Feeding Lab at French Hospital for two, 2-hour assessments. Families who participate in our study will be eligible to receive up to $50. This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Principal Investigator: Alison Ventura, akventur@calpoly.edu, 805-756-5693
Understanding the Development of Infant Feeding Interactions across Infancy
The aim of this research is to describe the co-development of infant communication of satiation and mothers’ feeding practices across infancy and feeding contexts. Study investigators are conducting behavioral coding of video-recorded infant feeding interactions during bottle-feeding and solid food feeding; this study is a collaboration with the University of Michigan.
Principal Investigator: Alison Ventura, akventur@calpoly.edu, 805-756-5693
The Oral Health in Kids Study
The purpose of this study is to examine whether and how maternal obesity is related to dental health in moms and toddlers.
Principal Investigator: Suzanne Phelan, sphelan@calpoly.edu ; 805 756 2087
Malnutrition During Pregnancy in Malawi Study
This study is comparing the effectiveness of 3 supplementary foods in moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women. Subjects will receive one of 3 food treatments: 1) a ready-to-use dairy and peanut based supplementary food which delivers about 200% of the RDA of most micronutrients in pregnancy (RUSF), 2) fortified corn soy blend with a multiple micronutrient tablet which delivers about 200% of the RDA of most micronutrients (CSB+UNI) or 3), the standard of care which is a fortified corn soy blend flour with supplementary iron and folic acid (CSB+fefo), delivering between 0-350% of the RDA. The primary outcomes will be malnutrition recovery rate, birth weight and birth length. Micronutrient status, body composition and mental changes are being measured in substudies. It is hoped that this study will show the benefits of treating moderate malnutrition in pregnancy so that international agencies and national nutrition programs can make the most appropriate choices as they strive to reach the Millennium Development Goals. This study is in collaboration with Washington University, St Louis and Project Peanut Butter and is funded by USAID, California Agriculture Research Initiative, US Dairy Export Council, Dairy Research Initiative and Feed the Future grants.
Principal Investigator: Peggy Papathakis, ppapatha@calpoly.edu, 805-756-7205
Sexual and Reproductive Health Lab
The SRH Lab at Cal Poly is a research lab focused on sexual and reproductive health issues that affect women especially women of color. Research topics include sexual activity, sexual dysfunction, contraception, sexual health decisions, menstruation and conception related topics.
Healthy Mamas Research Study
The purpose of the Healthy Mamas Research Study is to determine the health effects of a lifestyle program that supports weight maintenance during pregnancy in women with obesity. To learn more about the study or see if you are eligible, call 805-756-5365 or email healthresearch@calpoly.edu.
Principal Investigator: Suzanne Phelan, sphelan@calpoly.edu, 805-756-2087