Research 

Abriendo Caminos 

Abriendo Caminos (AC) is a randomized controlled trial health promotion program funded through the USDA. The program consists of a 6-week workshop series in which families spend time together learning about nutrition, physical activity, and quality family time. Over 100 Hispanic families from the Central Valley participated in the program. Changes in mothers’ and children's dietary habits from pre-to-post workshop participation were highlighted in recent publications. Additionally, more than 40 undergraduate students have been involved in Abriendo Caminos at Fresno State, and their participation has been instrumental in the success of the program. 4abriendocaminos.org/ 

Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Research Sciences (TOPRS) 

The purpose of the Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Research Sciences (TOPRS) grant, funded by the USDA, was to design a web-based transdisciplinary curriculum for undergraduates on the causes and consequences of obesity. An Institute of Medicine report identified actionable steps to prevent obesity. An educated community that understands the complexity of biology, early feeding practices, cultural norms, availability of greenspace and safe space, and the intersection of food policies with daily life is necessary in order to implement these steps. Educating undergraduates is key to making this happen. TOPRS is an innovative way to get students started. The curriculum emphasizes real- world problem-solving and promotes collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking, and strong interpersonal communication skills in students while educating them about obesity. The curriculum is associated with improvements in student interdisciplinary competence and gains in knowledge about the causes and consequences of obesity. stemedhub.org/groups/toprs/overview 

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES

View CV for full list of publications  

Teran-Garcia, M., Hammons, A.J., Olvera, N., Greder, K., Plaza-Delestre, M., Andrade, F., Fiese, B.F., & Wiley, A. (2023). Randomized control trial of a childhood obesity prevention family-based program: “Abriendo Caminos” and effects on BMI. Frontiers in Pediatrics. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1137825

Villegas, E., Hammons, A.J., Wiley, A., Fiese, B.H., & Teran-Garcia, M. (2022). Cultural influences on family mealtime routines in Mexico: Focus group study with Mexican mothers. Children, 9, 1045. doi.org/10.3390/children9071045

Hammons, A.J., Robart, R., & Gonzalez, G. (2022). Time at home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from focus groups with Hispanic parents. Children, 9, 634. doi.org/10.3390/children9050634

Baragan, M., Luna, V., Hammons, A.J., Olvera, N., Greder, K., Drumond Andrade, F.C., Fiese, B., Wiley, A., & Teran-Garcia, M. (2022). Reducing obesogenic dietary behaviors in Hispanic children through a family-based, culturally-tailored RCT: Abriendo Caminos. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1917. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19041917 

Hammons, A.J., & Robart, R (2021). Family food environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study. Children, 8, 354. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8050354

Hammons, A. J., Olvera, N., Teran-Garcia, M., Villegas, E., & Fiese, B. (2021). Mealtime resistance: Hispanic mothers’ perspectives on making healthy eating changes within the family. Appetite, 159, 105046.

Hammons, A. J., Hannon, B., Teran-Garcia, M., Barragan, M., Villegas, E., Wiley, A., & Fiese, B. (2019). Effects of culturally tailored nutrition education on dietary quality of Hispanic mothers: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51, 1168-1176. 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.06.017

Fiese, B. H., Hammons, A., Grigsby-Toussaint, D. (2012). Family Mealtimes: A contextual approach to understanding childhood obesity. Economics and Human Biology, 10, 365-74. 10.1016/j.ehb.2012.04.004

Hammons, A. J., & Fiese, B. (2011). Is the frequency of family meals related to the health of children and adolescents? A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 10.1542/peds.2010-1440