Leslie A. Lytle

Leslie A. Lytle is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health. Her research focuses on youth and young adult health promotion, particularly obesity prevention through behavioral interventions. She has led major NIH-funded studies like CATCH, TEENS, and CHOICES, and chairs the EARLY trials consortium.

Dr. Lytle's work spans over 25 years, emphasizing diet, physical activity, and environmental approaches. She teaches courses on health intervention design and behavioral theories. Awards include being named one of the Most Influential Obesity Researchers (2009, RWJF).

Service roles include board memberships at the Dannon Institute, Danone International, and leadership in the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. She advises national agencies like the CDC and NIH on school health and obesity prevention policies.