Cindy Brattan Wolff, MPA, PhD, RD

Research Interests

Projects related to the prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes for individuals and communities, nutrition, and health education for preschool through Grade 12. 

Recent Publications/Current Projects

• Roche A, Goto K, Zhao Y, Wolff C. “Bonding” and “bridging” social and cultural capitals: Perceived factors associated with family eating practices among Hmong, Latino and white mothers and fathers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. (in press)
• Morris J, Goto K, Wolff C, Bianco S, Samonte A. Get Cookin’: Investigating the effects of a six-week cooking intervention on cooking and dietary behaviors among low-income families. Californian Journal of Health Promotion. (in press)
• Goto K, Whitten J, Giovanni M, Wolff C, Bianco S. Understanding possible roles of locally-grown ethnic produce in dietary practices and food cultures: An exploratory study. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. (in press)
• Chen Q., Goto K, Wolff C, Bianco-Simeral S, Zhao Y. Correlations between children’s exposure to ethnic produce and their healthy dietary behaviors. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 17(2):383-388. (2015)
• Goto K, Whitten J, Giovanni M, Wolff C. Consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding ethnic produce at farmers’ markets. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 12(3):71-78. (2014)
• Seipel B, Carlson SE, Bianco-Simeral S, Frigaard M, Wolff C, Goto K. The nutritional moral of the story: An examination of storybooks used to promote healthy food-choice behavior. Psychology and Education Journal, 51(3&4):30-41. (2014)
• Chen Q, Goto K, Wolff C, Bianco-Simeral S, Gruneisen K, Gray K. Cooking up diversity: impact of a multi-component, multi-cultural, experiential intervention on food and cooking behaviors among K-2 students from low-income ethnically diverse families. Appetite, 80:114-22. (2014)
• Voorhees J, Goto K, Wolff C. Overweight, hypertension, and fruit and vegetable consumption among Hmong and white middle school students. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16:273-279. (2014)
• Goto K, Ominami C, Song C, Murayama N, Wolff C. Globalization, localization and food culture: Perceived roles of social and cultural capital in healthy child feeding in Japan.  Global Health Promotion. Vol 21(1): 50–58. (2014)
• Voorhees J, Goto K, Wolff C. Overweight, hypertension, and fruit and vegetable consumption among Hmong and white middle school students. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 16:273-279. (2014)
• Zhao Y., Goto K, Wolff C., Song C., Bianco-Simeral S. Relationships between children's food consumption and social and cultural capital levels among Latino, Hmong, and non-Hispanic white parents of K–2 children. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 8(4):472-489. (2013)
• Gerson A, Goto K, Wolff C, Giovanni M. Food, health, and values: the effects of attitudes and behaviors regarding sustainable food practices on overall diet quality among college students. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 11(2):53-60. (2013)
• Goto K, Waite A, Chan K, Giovanni M, Wolff C. Do environmental interventions impact elementary school students’ lunchtime milk selection? Journal of Applied Economic Perspectives & Policy, 35(2):360-376. (2013)
• Zhao Y, Goto K, Wolff C, Song C, Bianco S. (2013). Relationships between children's food consumption and social and cultural capital Levels among Latino, Hmong, and Non-Hispanic White Parents of K–2 children. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 8(4): 472-489. (2013)
• Frigaard M, Wolff C, Goto K, Bianco-Simeral S, Fahey T. Identifying red flags: Using anthropometry measures to screen for elevated blood pressure risk in children. Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 5(1):37-42. (2012)
• McCarthy E, Wolff C, Bianco-Simeral S, Goto K. (2012) Promoting fruit and vegetable preferences among low-income Hispanic and white middle school students. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management, 336(2). (2012)
• Evans K, Goto K*, Wolff C, Frigaard M, and Bianco-Simeral S. Teachers’ perceptions indicate success for Harvest of the Month Nutrition Education Program. Californian Journal of Health Promotion. 10(1):113-124. (2012)
• Kopping D, Nevarez H, Goto K*, Morgan I, Frigaard M, Wolff C. A longitudinal study of overweight, elevated blood pressure and acanthosis nigricans among low-income middle school students. Journal of School Nursing. 28(3):214-219. (2012)

Recent Graduate Theses/Professional Papers

• Get Cookin’: The Impact of a hands-on cooking and nutrition education intervention on attitudes and behaviors toward cooking and diet choices among low-income adults.
• The effects of social marketing, behavioral economics, and youth led In-store cooking demonstrations on low-income families’ selection of fruits and vegetables.
• School farm stands impacts on fruit and vegetable preferences and self- efficacy among students from a low-income school.
• Foodie University: Mindful eating in the classroom and at home.
• How to connect agriculture to schools: Identifying barriers to school district purchase and use of California Specialty Crops