Brian E Saelens, PHD

Brian E Saelens, PHD

Specialties

  • Children's Title: Research Director, Center for Diversity and Health Equity
  • Academic Title: Professor, Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  • Research Title: Research Director of the Center for Diversity and Health Equity
  • Research Center: Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development
  • On Staff Since: February 2007
"I work to find opportunities and build evidence around ways children and adults can be more physically active and eat more healthfully. Although simple behaviors to understand, it is complex environments, policies, and household and individual factors that influence these behaviors. We need to work at all these levels to help all children, adults, and families be most healthful."

  • Biography

    Brian E. Saelens, PhD, is a professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, interim research director of Seattle Children's Center for Diversity and Health Equity and principal investigator at Seattle Children's Research Institute. Dr. Saelens came to Seattle in 2006, having started his faculty career at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 2000. Dr. Saelens is trained as a clinical/health psychologist, with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Cornell University and a master's degree and PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Saelens' research interests include pediatric obesity treatment and prevention. His work examines strategies to improve the efficacy and reach of family-based weight management interventions for youth with already elevated weight status. He also explores how environmental factors and policies influence physical activity and eating behaviors in children and adults. He collaborates with community partners and local public health practitioners to help implement policy, systems, and environment change around healthy eating and active living. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, CDC, USDA, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. As of 2017, he has authored over 190 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

    Brian Saelens, PhD, research director for the Center for Diversity and Health Equity, supports and leads the advancement of health equity research and embedding a health equity, diversity and inclusion framework in all research policy reviews, consultation, grantmaking, seminars, pathways programs, and trainings. Dr. Saelens supports the continued growth of the Center for Diversity and Health Equity’s role as the child health equity research hub for information, resources, talent, expertise, data and partnerships for expanding child health equity research and community engagement at Seattle Children’s and beyond. 

    Education

    State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

    Research Description

    I conduct research in environmental influences on physical activity and eating behaviors and on the psychosocial factors that influence individual choice for weight-related behaviors. This work includes examining how the neighborhood environment impacts weight status, physical activity and dietary behaviors across the lifespan. I also work in the evaluation and improvement of family-based behavioral treatment for pediatric overweight.

    Research Focus Area

    Behavioral / Mental Health, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

  • Related Resources

    • Saelens Lab

      Saelens Lab

      Brian E. Saelens, PhD, conducts research in environmental influences on physical activity and eating behaviors and on the psychosocial factors that influence individual choice for weight-related behaviors. This work includes examining how the neighborhood environment impacts weight status, physical activity and

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