Lenka Shriver

Dr. Lenka Shriver is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focuses on child nutrition, obesity prevention, and the intersection of nutrition and exercise. She investigates how parenting styles, feeding practices, and environmental factors influence dietary intake and weight status in children, particularly among low-income and minority populations.

Her recent work emphasizes developing interventions for parents and teachers of Hispanic preschoolers to improve feeding environments. Collaborations include multidisciplinary teams from human development, psychology, and exercise science, alongside community programs like Head Start. Key projects address disordered eating in female athletes, emotion regulation's role in eating behaviors, and early infancy growth predictors.

Her publications span topics like maternal sensitivity's impact on infant feeding, hydration's effects on sleep, and metabolic syndrome in adolescents. She advocates for interventions targeting vulnerable populations to reduce health disparities.

Dr. Shriver’s research is supported by grants addressing child obesity, maternal nutrition, and athletic health. She leads initiatives such as the iGrow Study and the Families and Schools for Health Project, aiming to create evidence-based strategies for healthier communities.