Christopher Johansen (Social and Behavioral Health), along with colleagues Gabriela Buccini, Miguel Fudolig, Manoj Sharma (all Public Health), William McCarthy (UCLA), and Stephanie Pitts (East Carolina University), has been awarded a four-year, $748,052 grant (1R16GM154708-01) from the NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The project, titled "Behavioral Research on Acculturation and Moderating and Mediating Variables Observed Specifically among Latinos: BRAVOS," aims to address the rising rates of childhood obesity, particularly among Latino preschool-aged children. In Nevada, nearly half of Latino kindergarteners are overweight or obese, highlighting significant disparities. The study seeks to identify determinants of childhood obesity, with a focus on parental acculturation to the United States. The project will examine the longitudinal association between parental acculturation and child outcomes, specifically fruit/vegetable intake and BMI. A key feature of this research is the use of skin carotenoid spectroscopy, a novel technology that provides a fast and easy method to measure biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake. This approach may aid in identifying and monitoring children's dietary patterns and promoting healthier habits.
