UGA Today

Studies find strong links between food insecurity, health care among elderly

A fear of going hungry may be leading many older Georgians to skip medications and cancel doctors' appointments as they juggle limited incomes with prescription costs and out-of-pocket copayments required by Medicare, according to two new studies by University of Georgia researchers.

Childhood obesity expert to speak Feb. 6 at UGA

Michael Goran, a leading researcher in the field of childhood obesity and a professor at the University of Southern California, will discuss his work Feb. 6 from 12:20-1:30 p.m. in room 104 of Conner Hall at the University of Georgia. His talk will cover "The Sugar ‘Maize': Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Obesity and Metabolic Risk—from Genes to Policy."

Expert on ambiguous loss to lead annual Marriage and Family Therapy Institute

Pauline Boss, who coined the term "ambiguous loss" and has developed guidelines for treating those who have experienced such a loss, will lead this year's Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate Program's 29th Annual Institute on Jan. 25. The institute is sponsored by the University of Georgia Department of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the School of Social Work and the College of Education.

Georgia parent-teen driver education program receives national recognition

PRIDE, Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error, is one of five programs selected for inclusion in a new national publication highlighting innovative programs effective in reducing teen driver crashes. The program was developed by the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute, a grant-funded program in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Andress receives national award for excellence in extension

Elizabeth Andress, a professor of foods and nutrition in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, has been named the 2012 recipient of the National Award for Excellence in Extension for her long-term success in combining research and education in food safety.

Childhood obesity expert to discuss how behavioral factors influence eating

Leann L. Birch, director of the center for childhood obesity at Penn State University, will discuss her research on the behavioral factors that influence how people eat on a rescheduled date of Jan. 16 from 12:20-1:10 p.m. at the University of Georgia in room 110 of Dawson Hall. Her lecture is titled "Factors that Influence the Developing Controls of Food Intake from Infancy through Adolescence."

Financial adviser to provide community insight into today’s economy

Amy Dunham, a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Griffin, will present a public lecture Oct. 24 from 5:15-6:30 p.m. titled "Outlook and Opportunities: Preparing for the Road Ahead." The talk will be held in room 115 of the Student Learning Center on the University of Georgia Griffin Campus.

Foods, nutrition professor named to UGA Foundation Professorship

Richard D. Lewis, professor of foods and nutrition in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, has been named to the UGA Foundation Professorship in Family and Consumer Sciences.

New associate deans named at the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Personal finance courses for aspiring entrepreneurs offered statewide

Before starting a business, it's essential that entrepreneurs have their personal finances in order, said University of Georgia consumer economics specialist Michael Rupured. He and other faculty in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences will be offering workshops on personal finance throughout Georgia during the next several months.

Conference to explore past, future of home economics

As part of an effort to rediscover the roots of home economics and explore its impact on modern society, professors in the fields of family and consumer sciences, history and women's studies will gather at the University of Georgia in late February for a two-day conference titled "Home Economics: Classroom, Corporate and Cultural Interpretations Revisited." Or, as a save-the-date card declares more succinctly: "Home Economics. It's Cool Again."

Longtime 4-H leader named to National 4-H Hall of Fame

Thomas F. Rodgers raised more than $2 million to renovate the University of Georgia Rock Eagle 4-H Center. He worked with colleagues to establish environmental education programs now used nationwide. For these and other accomplishments, he has been named to the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Personal finances focus of statewide workshops

Athens, Ga. - Before starting a business, entrepreneurs need to have their personal finances in order, says University of Georgia's Michael Rupured. The consumer economics specialist is using his financial expertise to give them a head start.

UGA to host Financial Therapy Association conference

Practitioners and academics representing the fields of financial planning and mental health providers, including certified financial planners, family therapists, psychologists, counselors and social workers, will gather for the second annual conference of the Financial Therapy Association, Sept. 11-13 at the Hotel Indigo and Classic Center in Athens.

Folate researcher named to head UGA foods and nutrition department

Lynn B. Bailey, whose research and public health policy work has been instrumental in establishing the requirements for folate and reducing birth defects like spina bifida, has been named head of the Department of Foods and Nutrition in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences. She will begin her tenure in August.