Director

Maria Koleilat
Associate Professor
Location: KHS 140
Telephone: (657)278-5423
Email: [email protected]

Biosketch

Dr. Maria Kolailat is    an associate professor in the Department of Public Health at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and the co-director of the Center for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention. She received her DrPH in Community Health Sciences with a minor in Biostatistics from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master in Public Health Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is also a certified Statistical Analysis System (SAS) programmer. Dr. Koleilat    is a trained public health nutritionist with fifteen years of experience conducting research focusing on the interplay of early-life risks and environmental factors in the etiology of obesity among participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Specifically, her past (USDA-funded study) and current research projects focus on helping WIC mothers avoid excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Dr. Koleilat    is the chair of the Community and Public Health Nutrition Research Interest Section (RIS) at the American Society for Nutrition and serves as co-editor of the Californian Journal of Health Promotion. Dr. Koleilat    is also a language enthusiast; she speaks English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.     

Publications

1. Koleilat, M., Kim, L.P., Cortes, B., Kodjebacheva,  G. (2020). Perceived motivators, barriers and intervention strategies related to weight loss after childbirth among WIC participants in Southern California. American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(3), 294-302. doi: 10.1177/0890117119895948. Epub 2019 Dec 26.
2. Gill, M.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2018). The impact of food insecurity on the home emotional environment among low-income mothers of young children. Maternal and Child Health, 1-8. doi: 10.1007/s10995-018-2499-9
3. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E., Esguerra, K.B., Sekhobo, J.P. (2017). The role of WIC in obesity prevention. Current Pediatrics Reports, 5(3), 132-141. doi: 10.1007/s40124-017-0135-6.
4. Koleilat, M., Kim, L.P., & Whaley, S.E. (2017). Focusing on excessive gestational weight gain through weight tracking among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Southern California. Californian Journal of Health Promotion,15(3), 15-24.
5. Whaley, S.E.,  Koleilat, M., Leonard, S., Whaley, M. (2017). Breastfeeding is associated with reduced odds of obesity in Hispanic 2-5-year-olds served by WIC. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 49, S144-S150.
6. Kim, L.P.,  Koleilat, M.  & Whaley, S. E. (2016). A qualitative study to examine perceptions and barriers to appropriate gestational weight gain among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) program. Journal of Pregnancy, vol. 2016. doi:10.1155/2016/4569742
7. Koleilat, M.  & Whaley, S.E. (2016). Reliability and validity of food frequency questions to assess beverages and food groups intakes among low-income 2- to 4-year-old children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(6), 931-939.
8. Lee, S.C.,  Koleilat, M., Hernandez, L. M., Whaley, S. E., Davis, J.N. (2016). Screen time linked to unhealthy diets in low -income children. Journal of Food and Nutrition, 4(2), 94-99.
9. Kodjebacheva, G.,  Koleilat, M., Kruger, D.J. (2015). Depressive symptoms mediate the association between fear of crime and higher body mass index. American Journal for Health Promotion, 30(2), 130-2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.140103-ARB-6.
10. Chaparro, M.P., Whaley, S.E., Crespi, C.M.,  Koleilat, M., Nobari, T.Z., Seto, E., Wang, M.C. (2015). Response to letter to the editor by Joe Brew, Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida. J Epidemiol Community Health, 69 (8), 817. doi: 10.1136/jech-2014-205344.
11. Davis, J.N,  Koleilat, M., Shearrer, G.E., Whaley, S.E. (2014). Association of infant feeding and dietary intake on obesity prevalence in low-income toddlers. Obesity, 22 (4), 1103-1111. doi:10.1002/oby.20644.
12. Langellier, B.A., Chaparro, M.P., Wang, M.C.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2014). The new food package and breastfeeding outcomes among WIC participants in Los Angeles County. AJPH, 104 (Suppl.1), S112-8.
13. Chaparro, M.P., Whaley, S.E., Crespi, C.M.,  Koleilat, M., Nobari, T.Z., Seto, E., Wang, M.C. (2014). Influences of the neighborhood food environment on adiposity of low-income preschool-aged children in Los Angeles County: a longitudinal study. J Epidemiol Community Health, 0, 1-7. Advance online publication. doi:10.1136/jech-2014-204034.
14. Chaparro, M.P., Langellier, B.A., Wang, M.C.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2014). Effects of parental nativity and length of stay in the U.S. on fruit and vegetable intake among WIC-enrolled preschool-aged children. Journal of   Immigrant and Minority Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-0097-5.
15. Sadegh-Nobari, T., Wang, M.C., Chaparro, M.P., Crespi, C.M.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2013). Immigrant enclaves and obesity in preschool-aged children in Los Angeles County. Social Science & Medicine, 92, 1-8.
16. Koleilat, M., & Whaley, S.E. (2013). Trends and predictors of excessive gestational weight gain among WIC participants in Southern California. Matern Child Health J, 17(8), 1399-1404. doi:10.1007/s10995-012-1140-6.
17. Sekhobo, J., Whaley, S.E., Edmunds, L.,  Koleilat, M.  (2013, January 18). Obesity prevalence among children enrolled in WIC in Los Angeles and New York, 2003-2011. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. Retrieved from  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6202a1.htm.
18. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E., Afifi, A., Estrada, L., Harrison, G.G. (2012). Understanding the relationship between RFEI and early childhood obesity among WIC participants in Los Angeles County using GeoDa spatial statistics software. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 4 (1). ojphi.v4i1.3936. doi: 10.5210/ojphi.v4i1.3936.
19. Koleilat, M., Harrison, G.G., Whaley, S.E., McGregor, S., Jenks,E., Afifi, A. (2012). Preschool enrollment is associated with lower odds of childhood obesity among WIC participants in LA County. Matern Child Health J, 16(3), 706-712.
20. Whaley, S.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, M., Gomez, J., Meehan, K., Saluja, K. (2012). Policy changes impact infant feeding decision among low-income women participating in WIC. American Journal of Public Health, 102(12), 2269-2273. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300770.
21. Whaley, S.,  Koleilat, M., Jiang, Lu. (2012). WIC administrative records are a valid measure of infant feeding practices.  J Hum Lact, 28(2), 134-138.
22. Hwalla, N.,  Koleilat, M.  (2004). Dietetic Practice: The Past, Present and Future. East Mediterr Health J, 10(6), 716-30.

Presentations

1. Martinez, C.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2018, October). Patterns of sleep duration and correlates of healthy sleep among low-income children under 5. Selected for a poster presentation during the 146th APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, San Diego, CA.
2. Koleilat, M., Cortes, B., Kim, L.P., Whaley, SE. (2018, June). Perceived barriers and intervention strategies related to weight loss after childbirth among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Oral presentation at the American Society for Nutrition Meeting, Boston, MA.
3. Flores, G.,  Koleilat, M., Sadegh-Nobari, T. (2016, October). Barriers and enablers of healthy food access among low-income Latinos in Orange County, CA. Selected for a poster presentation during the 144th APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Denver, CO.
4. Koleilat, M.  (2016, October). Improving periconceptional health among WIC participants through the prevention of excessive gestational weight gain: from research to intervention.
5. Selected for an oral presentation at the 4th Orange County Women’s Health Summit: Research & Emerging Issues in Women’s Health.
6. Koleilat, M., Vargas, N., Kodjebacheva, G. (2016, April). Perceived barriers to physical activity during pregnancy among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
7. Pelina, A.V.,  Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2015, October). Impact of the WIC food package change: a literature review. Poster presentation during the 143rd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Chicago, IL.
8. Koleilat,  M.,  Pelina,  A.V.,  Whaley,  S.E.  (2015, October). Impact of policy changes on gestational weight gain among Low-Income pregnant women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Poster presentation during the 143rd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Chicago, IL.
9. Koleilat, M., Pelina, A.V., Whaley, S.E. (2015, October). Examination of the recent revisions to the WIC food packages on early childhood obesity: potential for mediation through breastfeeding and gestational weight gain. Poster presentation during the 143rd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Chicago, IL.
10. Koleilat,  M.,  Kim,  L.P.,  Whaley,  S.E.  (2015,  August). Improving  periconceptional  health through the prevention of excessive gestational weight gain: from research to intervention. Oral presentation at the WIC’s Impact on Periconceptional Nutrition Conference, Alexandria, VA.
11. Koleilat, M., Kim, L.P., Whaley, S.E. (2015, May). Focusing on excessive gestational weight gain through education. Oral presentation at the National WIC Association Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
12. Pelina,  A.V.,   Koleilat,  M., Whaley, S.E.  (2015, April). Effects of the WIC food  package revisions. Poster presentation at the 2015 CSUF Student Creative Activities and Research Day, Fullerton, CA.
13. Koleilat,  M.,  Vargas,  N.,  Bell,  S.T., Whaley,  S.E.  (2015,  March). Self-reported  pre- pregnancy weight versus weight measured in the first trimester among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). (2015, March). Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, Boston, MA.
14. Koleilat, M., Bell, S.T., Vargas, N., Molina, M., Whaley, S.E. (2015, March). Perceived pre-pregnancy weight status among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition  Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, Boston, MA.
15. Koleilat, M., Vargas, N., Pelina, A.V., Bell, S.T., Whaley, S.E. (2015, March). Beliefs regarding weight gain during pregnancy among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition  Program  for  Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Oral  presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, Boston, MA.
16. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2014, November).  Impact of policy changes on overweight and obesity rates among low-income children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Oral presentation at the 142nd APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA.
17. Koleilat, M., Jiang, L., Whaley, S.E. (2014, April). Validity and reliability of food frequency questions to assess beverages, fruits and vegetables, and sweetened food intakes among 2- to 4- year old WIC children. Poster presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
18. Kim, L.P., Koleilat, M., Whaley, S.E. (2014, April). Qualitative evaluation of barriers  to appropriate gestational weight gain among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Poster presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
19. Koleilat, M., Kim, L.P.,Whaley, S.E. (2013, April). Improving periconceptional health among WIC participants through the prevention of excessive gestational weight gain: from research to intervention   (focus   on   study  design).  Poster presentation at   the Experimental Biology Conference, Boston, MA.
20. Sekhobo, J., Whaley, S.E., Edmunds, L.,  Koleilat, M., Jiang, L. (2012, October). Obesity prevalence among children enrolled in WIC in Los Angeles and New York, 2003-2011. Poster presentation at APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition Conference, San Francisco, CA.
21. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S., Gee, D. (2012, April). Trends and predictors of excessive gestational weight gain among Hispanic WIC participants in Southern California. Oral presentation at the the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
22. Koleilat,  M., Whaley,  S.,  Jiang,  L. (2012, April). Maternal hospital experiences and breastfeeding success among WIC participants in Los Angeles County.  Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
23. Whaley, S. E.,  Koleilat, M.  & Whaley, M. (2012, April). Breastfeeding & obesity: WIC policy changes increase breastfeeding rates and reduce obesity at age four. Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
24. Koleilat, M., Whaley, S., Harrison, G. (2011, April). Gestational weight gain, birth weight and childhood obesity in low-income families.  Poster presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, Washington, DC.
25. Koleilat, M., Harrison, G., Whaley, S., Gomez, J., Jenks, E. (2010, April). Convenience stores are associated with early childhood obesity in low-income households.  Poster presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, Anaheim, CA.
26. Koleilat, M., Harrison, G.G., McGregor, S., Jenks, E. (2008, October). Preschool enrollment is associated with lower risk of early childhood overweight among WIC participants. Poster presentation at the NAASO, The Obesity Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. 
27. Koleilat, M., Harrison, G.G., McGregor, S.,  Jenks, E. (2008, October). Birthweight  and childhood overweight among WIC participants.  Poster presentation at the 136th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA.
28. Harrison, G.G., Jenks, E., Afifi, A., McGregor, S., Whaley, S., Gomez, J., Koleilat, M.  (2008, May). The role of WIC in early childhood overweight. Oral presentation at the California WIC Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
29. Koleilat, M. (2008, April). Geospatial patterns of childhood overweight in areas of Los Angeles County.  Poster presentation at the Southern California Public Health Association (SCPHA) Annual Conference in Association with Southern California Society for Public Health Education (SC SOPHE), Long Beach, CA. (Winner Poster: awarded 1st Place).
30. Harrison, G.G., Jenks, E., Afifi, A., McGregor, S., Whaley, S., Gomez, J.,  Koleilat, M.  (2008, April). Total family time participating in WIC does not predict childhood overweight.  Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.
31. Kim, L.P., Harrison, G.G.,  Koleilat, M., McGregor, S., Jenks, E. (2008, April). Milk consumption patterns among Hispanic WIC mothers and their children.  Oral presentation at the Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA.