Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life
Building Robust & Inclusive Democracy
ChildObesity180

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Career Highlights / Publications Research Professional Activities Courses / Teaching Activities
Christina Economos

Christina Economos

Ph.D.
Dean of the Gerald J. Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Office of the Dean
Professor, Nutrition Interventions, Communications, and Behavior Change
Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine
New Balance Chair in Childhood Nutrition, Professorships
Professor, Tisch College
Christina Economos
ChildObesity180

Full Profile

Career Highlights / Publications Research Professional Activities Courses / Teaching Activities

Research/Areas of Interest

My bio-behavioral research and evaluation studies are interdisciplinary and include theory-based prevention interventions, with ethnically and socio-economically diverse populations in urban and rural communities, schools, and out-of-school environments. I currently serve as the principal investigator on multiple large-scale, community-based interventions examining childhood nutrition and physical activity (PA) with the goal of improving the health of America's children. I have conducted many Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) interventions and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including Shape Up Somerville, which demonstrated a successful reduction in undesirable weight gain among elementary school students through implementation of nutrition and PA interventions. The Live Well study was a preventive intervention developed with active input from community partners. The CHANGE study was designed to improve physical activity and nutrition behaviors in rural communities. More recently, I have led research and evaluation that uses systems science to understand the diffusion of intervention components in communities. Specifically, we are working to understand 'what works, for whom, and under what conditions' with respect to 'whole of community' obesity prevention interventions. , I have significant experience merging nutrition and public health research and practice with the expertise and experience of business, government, and nonprofit sectors to develop, implement, evaluate, and scale high-impact obesity prevention initiatives.

Education

  • Ph. D., Friedman School Tufts University, United States, 1996
  • M.S.Applied Physiology and Nutrition, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States, 1991
  • B.S. in Cardiopulmonary Science/Minor Biology, Boston University, United States, 1987

Biography

Christina Economos, PhD, is a Professor and the New Balance Chair in Childhood Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Medical School at Tufts University. She is also the co-Founder and Director of ChildObesity180, a unique organization that brings together leaders from diverse disciplines to generate urgency, and find solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic. ChildObesity180 merges the best in nutrition and public health research and practice with the expertise and experience of business, government, and nonprofit leaders. When these perspectives come together, a creative tension exists that balances the academic focus on discovering what works and why, with the entrepreneurial perspective that quick action is needed.

As the principal investigator of large-scale research studies, Dr. Economos' goal is to inspire behavior, policy, and environmental change to reduce obesity and improve the health of America's children. She has authored more than 120 scientific publications. At ChildObesity180 she develops, implements, evaluates, and scales high-impact obesity prevention initiatives. She led the Shape Up Somerville study demonstrating that it is possible to reduce excess weight gain in children through multiple leverage points within an entire community. Dr. Economos' Live Well study was a preventive intervention developed with active input from community partners to moderate or reduce weight gain among new immigrant women and their children. In partnership with Save the Children, she led the CHANGE study, which was designed to improve physical activity and nutrition behaviors in rural communities.

Dr. Economos is involved in national obesity and public health activities and has served on four Institute of Medicine committees including the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions and the Committee on an Evidence Framework for Obesity Prevention Decision-Making. In addition, she serves on the American Heart Association's Nutrition Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health. Dr. Economos received a Bachelor of Science from Boston University, a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University and a doctorate in Nutritional Biochemistry from Tufts University.