Courtney A. Pinard, PhD

Assistant Professor

Research Scientist, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition
Department of Health Promotion
University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Public Health

Professional Summary

• 2010-present, Assistant Professor, Department of Health Promotion, UNMC
• 2010-Present, Research Scientist, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition
• 2007-2010, Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
• 2009 Instructor, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
• 2005-2007, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Windsor, Windsor ON

Education

• PhD Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2010
• MHK Masters in Human Kinetics, Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Windsor, 2007
• BHSc Honours Bachelor degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology, McMaster University, 2005

Research Interests

Dr. Pinard’s research experience is in the area of behavioral science and childhood obesity prevention, specifically with the influence of the home environment on health behaviors. Her current research focuses on on program, policy, and environmental approaches to health promotion and reduction of health disparities through exploration of the relationship between food insecurity, food systems, food access, and obesity prevention.

Selected Publications

• Pinard, C.A., Smith, T.M., Carpenter, L.R., Chapman, M., Balluff, M., Yaroch, A.L. (In Press). Process Evaluation Results from a Farm to School Pilot in Douglas County, Nebraska Identifies Stakeholders’ Assessing Interest and Challenges in Farm to School Programming. Preventing Chronic Disease.
• Pinard, C.A., Yaroch, A.L., Hart, M.H., Serrano, E.L., McFerren, M.M., & Estabrooks, PA (2014). The validity and reliability of a measure of the Comprehensive Home Environment Survey (CHES). Health Promotion Practice, 15 (1), 109-117.
• Siahpush, M., Pinard, C.A., Singh, G.K., Tibbits, M., Shaikh, R.A., Yaroch, A.L. (2013). Do Life Style Factors And Socioeconomic Variables Explain Why Black Women Have A Remarkably Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) Than White Women In The United States? Findings From The 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 6 (9).
• Byker, C., Pinard, C.A., Serrano, E.L., Yaroch, A.L. (2013). New NSLP Guidelines: Challenges and Opportunities for Nutrition Education Practitioners and Researchers. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, 45 (6), 683-689.
• Finney Rutten, L.J., Pinard, C.A., Story, M., & Yaroch, A.L. (2013). Social Marketing to Promote Nutrition Assistance Programs. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 8 (2), 164-170.
• Pinard, C.A., Kim, S., Story, M., & Yaroch, A.L. (2013). The Food and Water System: Impacts on Obesity. Journal of Law, Medicine, & Ethics, 41 (4), 52-60.
• Yaroch, A.L., Byker, C., Pinard, C.A., Smith, T.S. (2012). Advances in methodologies for assessing dietary intake and physical activity in adolescents. Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, 23 (3), 610-630.
• Pinard, C.A., Hart, M.H., Hodgkins, Y., Serrano, E.L., McFerren, M.M., & Estabrooks, PA (2012). Smart choices for healthy families: A feasibility study for the treatment of childhood obesity in low-income families. Health Education & Behavior, 39 (4), 433-445.
• Pinard, C.A., Yaroch, A.L., Hart, M.H., Serrano, E.L., McFerren, M.M., & Estabrooks, PA (2011). Measures of the home environment related to childhood obesity: a systematic review. Public Health Nutrition, 15, 97-109.
• Pinard, C.A., Davy, B.M, & Estabrooks, PA (2011). Beverage consumption patterns in low-income parent-child dyads: racial differences. Eating Behaviors, 12 (4), 313–316.

Professional Affiliations

• International Society for Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Society of Behavioral Medicine
• American Public Health Association
• Food, Culture & Society