Sarah T. Henes

Education

Research

As  State Coordinator for UGA EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) my work focuses on both adult and youth community nutrition education, program evaluation, and community-based participatory research with limited resource families, pregnant women and teens, and youth (9th-12th grade).  My research and programming also involves collaborating with other Extension and Department colleagues (SNAP-Ed, 4H), and developing a variety of community partnerships throughout the state for nutrition, health, and wellness.

Other areas of research include family based weight management interventions and utilizing my clinical and community nutrition background to develop programs and interventions for youth with overweight and obesity and their families, particularly in underserved populations. My research program also focuses on translating the science of energy balance and metabolism into the community and clinical setting not only through nutrition assessment. but in nutrition education so as to help all youth and their families  learn nutrition concepts while also promoting dietary and nutrition/health behavior change

Teaching

NUTR 7000, Master's Research

NUTR 9000, Doctoral Research

Guest Lecturer:  FACE 1110 Consumer in Society (Nov 2019) 

Guest Lecturer: NUTR (FDNS) 4540/6540 Public Health Dietetics (Spring 2021, 2022) 

Guest Lecturer: NUTR 4540 Public Health Dietetics (Spring, 2023)

Guest Lecturer: NUTR 4630/6630 Foods Nutrition and Culture (Fall, 2023)

Guest Lecturer: NUTR 4540 Public Health Nutrition (Fall, 2023)

Prior Professional Positions

Awards

Service

Outreach

As  State Coordinator for UGA EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) my work focuses on both adult and youth community nutrition programming and curriculum implementation and delivery for limited resource families to include caregivers with children, pregnant women and teens, and youth (9th-12th grade) across the state of Georgia.  UGA EFNEP delivers series based community nutrition education in over 50 counties across the state via evidenced based curricula.  Our adult curricula includes:  Food Talk and Hablemos de Comida (Food Talk) and our youth curricula includes Teen Cuisine and Food Talk for Teens.  Our programs are delivered by peer educators who often live in the communties they serve.  UGA EFNEP offers interactive classes with activities and food demonstrations that help families eat healthier on a budget, while also promoting nutrition and health behavior changes. 

Please find out more about UGA EFNEP here: https://ugaefnep.org/

Please find out more about EFNEP as a federally funded (NIFA-USDA) community nutrition education program across the Land Grand/Cooperative Extension System here: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/expanded-food-nutrition-education-program-efnep

Areas of Expertise

Adult, youth and families weight management- program development and intervention, nutrition assessment and education,  promoting health behavior change.  Nutrition education curriculum development and implementation for youth and adults.  Clinical and community research and evaluation with youth and families.  

Working with and serving limited resource families, and those youth and families with overweight and obesity.  

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURE

2011-present State of GA #LD003745 Licensed Dietitian

1997-present State of NC #L001738 Licensed Dietitian

1997-present Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) 
Accredited Registered Dietitian #874049 Registered Dietitian

OTHER: 

2024   Certificate of Training in Obesity for Pediatrics and Adults, September 2024.  Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) 

2015   Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management, September 10-12, 2015 (Buffalo,               NY )
2015   Strong4Life RDN Provider Training.  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) 

Current Research

The Obesity Research Initiative-University of Georgia (UGA) FY25 Seed Grant: “The University of Georgia (UGA) Family Healthy Lifestyle eLearning Pilot Program".  Role: Principal Investigator. Collaborators: Sami R. Yli-Piipari, PhD, Department of Kinesiology; and Janette R. Hill. PhD, MSLIS, Department of Workforce Education and Instructional Technology. Funding Total:  $10,000 9/30/2024-6/30/2025

Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance (GA CTSA) Pilot Grants. A Community Nutrition Initiative to Promote Healthy Eating Behavior Changes and Food Security in Pregnant Women and Teens by Utilizing the University of Georgia (UGA) Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Role: Principal Investigator Collaborators:  Dr. Latrice Rollins, PhD, MSW (Co-I), Morehouse School of Medicine    7/1/2023-6/30/2024

The FoodMASTER Initiative teaches math and science concepts through food and nutrition. https://foodmaster.org/      The goal of this NIH SEPA grant (Science Education Partnership Award, 2017-2022) was to support STEM learning for underserved, minority youth through informal learning environments. Led by PI, Dr. Melani Duffrin(Northern Illinois University), this project also worked to create a Deep South Network with collaborators from Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi, and North and South Carolina.   As the Georgia partner, my work with the FoodMASTER curriculum has focused on programming with middle to high school youth within informal learning enviornment like the Boys and Girls Club and UGA Georgia 4-H.   Additionally, 4-H Science Chefs is an adapted FoodMASTER curriculum for middle and high school youth.   With fun ice breakers, hands-on science labs, and delicious recipe tasting, students learn about science, math, and nutrition as they complete the 4-H Science Chefs curriculum.

Burnett A, Duffrin M, Brown C, Bozeman K, Hardeman R, Rakestraw C, Black T, Franks M, Sahade S, Henes ST (advisor)  "Adaptation of the FoodMASTER Middle Grades Curriculum for use in Georgia 4-H after-school programming"  NIH Sci-Ed Conference, 2022 (May 31-June 3) Washington DC. (referred, national) 

Other previous research projects include a community partnership between UGA EFNEP/Extension and Morehouse School of Medicine, and PI Dr. Latrice Rollins:  Project DINE (Dads in Nutrition Education) with UGA EFNEP providing community nutrition education for expecting mothers and fathers.  (2020-2023)

Rollins L, Giddings T, Henes S, Culbreth W, Coleman AS, Smith S, White C, Nelson T.  "Design and Implementation of a Nutrition and Breastfeeding Education Program for Black Expecting Mothers and Fathers"  J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022. 000:1−10 (published online before print May 2022)  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.011

Books

Book Chapters

DuBose K, Riebe D and Henes S. Chapter 6: Body Composition and Weight Management. IN: ACSM's Resources for the Health Fitness Specialist, 1st Edition. (C) 2013.  Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: New York. pp. 139-166. (refereed) 

(Invited) 
DuBose K, Riebe D and Henes S. Chapter 6: Body Composition and Weight Management. IN: ACSM's Resources for the Health Fitness Specialist, 2nd Edition. (C) 2016.  Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Journal Articles

Clinical and Community Nutrition- Selected Publications:  

Rollins L, Giddings T, Henes S, Mubasher M, White C.  Project DINE: Addressing Disparities in Nutrition and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity through Nutrition and Father Engagement  J Health Care Poor Underserved 2024;35(3S):62-84. PMID: 39069928

Henes ST (Corresponding Author), Stotz SA, Riggs SE, Yang HM.  eHealth, family-based interventions, and multilevel approaches to pediatric weight management: a scoping review.   Nutrition Reviews. 2024  https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad160  Published online before print: 24 January2024  

Rollins L, Giddings T, Henes S, Culbreth W, Coleman AS, Smith S, White C, Nelson T.  Design and implementation of a nutrition and breastfeeding education program for black expecting mothers and fathers  J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022. 000:1−10 (published online before print May 2022)  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.011

Cox GO, Rotberg B, Ng MK, Henes ST, Giraudo SQ.  Examining the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention for Hispanic participants.  JGPHA 2020 8:1  https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol8/iss1/

Douglas T, Nucci A, Berry A, Henes ST, Singh R.  Large neutral amino acid status in association with P:T ratio and diet in adult and pediatric patients with phenylketonuria. JMID Reports.  2019  50 (1): 50-59 doi: 10.1002/jmd2.12076. eCollection 2019 Nov.

Kaviani S, Schoeller DA, Ravussin E, Melanson EL, Henes ST, Dugas LR, Dechert RE, Mitri G, Schoffelen PM, Gubbel P, Tornber A, Fritzdorf S, Akkermans M, Cooper, JA.  Determining the accuracy and reliability of indirect calorimeters utilizing the methanol combustion technique. Nutr. Clin. Pract. 2018 33(2): 206-216 

Henes ST (Corresponding Author), Johnson A, Toner M, Mamaril K, Kelkar M, Xiao Y, Warren, G. Assessing Resting Metabolic Rate in Overweight and Obese Adolescents with a Portable Indirect Calorimeter: A Pilot Study for Validation and Reliability.  Nutr. Clin. Pract. 2016, 31(3): 355-361 (Originally published online September 9, 2015 before print.   doi:10.1177/0884533615603966)  

Johnson A, Reddy S, Walsh S, Wulkan M, Nucci A, Henes S (Corresponding Author).  The relationship between diet of adolescents before sleeve gastrectomy and success with weight loss and behavioral changes 6 months post-surgery.  Bari Surg Pract Patient Care. 2016, 11(1): 15-19 (refereed)

Carraway ME., Lutes LD, Crawford Y, Pratt KJ., McMillan AG, Scripture LG., Henes S, Cox J, Vos P, Collier D N. Camp-Based immersion treatment for obese, low socioeconomic status, multi-ethnic adolescents. Childhood Obesity. 2014:10(2): 122-131. doi:10.1089/chi.2013.0111

Henes ST (Corresponding Author), Cummings DM, Hickner RC, Houmard JA, Kolasa KM, Lazorick S, Collier DN. Comparison of  predictive equations and measured resting energy expenditure among obese youth attending a pediatric healthy weight clinic:  One size does not fit all.  Nutr Clin Pract 2013:28: 617-624 [Originally published online ahead of print August 6, 2013 DOI: 10.1177/0884533613497237]  

Huffman KM, Hawk VH, Henes ST, Ocampo CI, Orenduff MC, Slentz CA, Johnson JL, Houmard JA,   
Samsa GP, Kraus WE, and Bales CW.  Exercise effects on lipids in persons with varying dietary  patterns - Does diet matter if they exercise? Responses in STRRIDE I.  Amer Heart Journal. 2012: 164 (1): 117-124 

Henes ST, Collier DN, Morrissey SL, Cummings DM, Kolasa KM.  Medical nutrition therapy for overweight youth in their medical home:  The KIDPOWER experience.  Patient Education and Counseling. 2010:81(1):43-46  

Dunn C, Kolasa K, Harris N, Crawford Y, Henes S, Kinner S, Sutton V, Colby S Collier C. Take off 4-health nutrition education curriculum for a healthy lifestyle camp for overweight youth.  Topics in Clin Nutr 2010: 25 (2): 151-159 

Harris NG, Briley A, Collier D, Dunn C, Crawford Y, Henes S, Kinner S, Kolasa KM, Lutes L, Scripture L.  “Take Off 4 Health”:  Innovative strategies to improve wellness in adolescents.  Journal of the Amer Diet Assoc 2010:110(9)

Cummings D, Henes S, Kolasa K, Olsson J, Collier C. Insulin resistance status: Predicting weight response in overweight children.  Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008:62 (8): 764-768 

Henes ST, Kolasa KM.  Reviews/New Resources for Nutrition Educators: A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Obesity: A Road Map to Health (by Hassink SK, 2006). Journal of Nutr Educ and Behav. 2007:39 (4): 240-241 (Invited Book Review) 

Kolasa KM, Craven K, Henes S, Sullivan C. The clinical implications of obesity and overweight. 
NC Med J.  2006: 67 (4): 283-287 

Other Selected Publications:  

Noland RC, Thyfault J, Henes ST, Whitfield BR, Woodlief TL, Evans JR, Lust JA, Britton SL, Koch LG, Dudek RW, Dohm L, Cortright RN, Lust RM. Artificial selection for high-capacity endurance running is protective against high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab2007: 293:E31-E41

Koves TR, Noland RC, Bates AL, Henes ST, Muio DM, Cortright RN. Subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria play distinct roles in regulating skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2005:288: 1074-1082 

Kraus WE, Houmard JA, Duscha BD, Knetzer KJ, Wharton MB, McCartney JS, Bales CW, Henes ST, Samsa GP, Slentz CA. Effects of the amount and intensity of exercise on plasma lipoproteins. N. Engl. J Med. 2002:347:1483-1492  

Publications

Selected Published Abstracts:  * denotes graduate student advisee

Henes ST, Rollins L, Giddings T, White C. Improving Diet Quality for Pregnant Women and Their Partners in Georgia: Project DINE and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) at the University of Georgia (UGA).  Concurrent Session V: Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition. 2024 Southeast Regional Clinical & Translational Science Conference Abstract Book, page 34

*Yang H, Williams T, Henes, ST “Technology Integration in EFNEP: A Needs Assessment Among UGA EFNEP Graduates” S76 SNEB Abstracts Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 56, Number 8S1, 2024

*Mouser C, Rollins L, Williams T, Tucker L, ^# Levi L, ^#Howell K, Henes ST  Implementation of an Adapted UGA EFNEP Nutrition Curriculum for Pregnant Women -FoodTalk:Baby &Me Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 56,Number8 S1,2024 SNEB Abstracts S43

*Berman S, Williams T, Berg A, Brigman T, Yli-Piipari S, Henes S T(advisor) . Comparison of two nutrition curricula in promoting nutrition behavior change in teens participating in UGA EFNEP. J Nutr Educ Behav 2023 Vol. 55 (pp. 95). Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.205 (international)

*Berman S, Levi LK, Williams T, Tucker L, Yli-Piipari S, Berg A, Brigman T, Henes ST (advisor). Feasibility of adding weekly goal setting activities to an adolescent nutrition curriculum for UGA EFNEP youth programming.  J Nutr Educ Behav  2023 Vol. 55 (pp. 77). Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.168 (international)

Duffrin M, Holben D, Evans R, Wang C, Burnett D, Henes S ,Diaz S. The FoodMASTER Initiative Deep South Network: impacting STEM education learning environments with food-based activities. J Acad Nutr Diet, 2022 122:10, A118 (national)

Henes ST, Rollins L, Giddings T, Williams T, White C, Medrano J, Moore SL , Soltanmammedova Z, Culbreth W.  Project DINE: Improving diet quality in pregnant women through the University of Georgia EFNEP" P017 J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022 54:1 S25 (international)

Medrano J, Moore SL, Soltanmammedova Z, Williams T,  Rollins L, Giddings T, Henes S. Exploring how community research partnerships may affect enrollment and graduation rates for the University of Georgia EFNEP P011 J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022 54:1 S23 (international)

Henes S, Wulkan M, Reddy S, Fuller K, Stark M, Walsh S.  Changes in resting metabolic rate and body composition after bariatric surgery in two severely obese adolescent patients attending a bariatric healthy weight clinic:  A clinical case report.  Experimental Biology Meeting, 2016.  San Diego, CA.  April 2-April 6th.  Abstract # 885.3  The FASEB Journal. April 2016. 30:1 Supplement lb392  (international) 

Collier DN, Pathmasiri W, Pratt KJ, Crawford Y, Henes S, Gross-McMillan A, Lutes, L, Sumner S. Obesity treatment and the biology of behavior: Metabolomic analysis of response of behavioral intervention. Pediatric Academic Societies 2011 Joint Meeting. Denver CO.  April 30-May  3, 2011. E-PASS2011:4501.23  (national) 

Bales CW, Huffman KM, Hawk VH, Henes ST, Slentz C, Johnson J, Houmard JA, Samsa GP, Kraus WE.  AHA-Recommended dietary intake patterns and lipid responses to exercise: Findings from the STRIDDE I study.  2008.  American Heart Association, Nutrition and Physical Activity and Metabolism Conference.  Circulation Volume: 117 Issue 11 2008 (national) 

Selected Poster Presentations:  

Berman S, Levi L, Williams T, Tucker L, Yli-Piipari S, Berg A ,  Brigman T, Henes S (advisor). Feasibility of adding weekly goal setting activities to an adolescent nutrition curriculum for UGA EFNEP youth programming. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2023 (July 20-July23) Washington, DC ( international)

Berman S, Williams T, Berg A, Brigman T, Yli-Piipari, S, Henes, S (advisor). Comparison of two nutrition curricula in promoting nutrition behavior change in teens participating in UGA EFNEP. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2023 (July 20-July 23) Washington, DC. ( international) Mouser, C., Rollins, L., Giddings, T., Williams, T. Henes, S. (advisor). Promoting nutrition behavior change among pregnant women and their families through an adapted University of Georgia (UGA) Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) curriculum.  Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference, 2023 (March 1-March 3) Callaway Gardens, Georgia (regional, state)

Burnett A, Duffrin M, Brown C, Bozeman K, Hardeman R, Rakestraw C, Black T, Franks M, Sahade S, Henes ST (advisor)  Adaptation of the FoodMASTER middle grades curriculum for use in Georgia 4-H after-school programming.  NIH Sci-Ed Conference, 2022 (May 31-June 3) Washington DC. (national) 

Henes ST, Rollins L, Giddings T, Williams T, White C, Medrano J, Moore SL , Soltanmammedova Z, Culbreth W.  Project DINE: Improving diet quality in pregnant women through the University of Georgia EFNEP.  P017 Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2022 (July 29-August 1)  Atlanta, GA (international)

Medrano J, Moore SL, Soltanmammedova Z, Williams T,  Rollins L, Giddings T, Henes S. Exploring how community research partnerships may affect enrollment and graduation rates for the University of Georgia EFNEP" P011 Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2022 (July 29-August 1)  Atlanta, GA (international)

Sakalik L, Nucci A, Fricke K, Henes S (advisor).  Frequency of nutrition counseling in an overweight and obese adolescent urban population and its effect on BMI and BMI Z-Score.  Georgia Academy of Nutrition Annual Conference and Exhibition (GAND ACE), 2015 (state)

Stuhrman G, Nucci A, Henes S, Hopkins B.  The relationship between the source of protein intake and obesity in children. Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference and Exhibition (GAND ACE), 2015 ( state) 

Mamaril K, Kelkar M, Johnson A, Henes S (advisor) . Portable indirect calorimetry for measuring resting metabolic rate in overweight and obese adolescents:  A pilot validity and reliability study.   Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Day, 2015 (state)

Evans MV, Carter SL, Henes ST, Nucci AM.  Effectiveness of a Feeding Assessment Scale in dentifying feeding problems in formerly preterm infants and toddlers.  Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition, 2013 (national)