My research focuses on developing community-based nutrition and wellness interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease and improve family caregiver health, with a focus on understudied populations and cancer survivorship. While I have a broad background in obesity prevention and management, my current research explores the ways in which nutrition, wellness and healing behaviors promote healthy disease survivorship and caregiver health. My research also focuses on designing better nutrition programs by improving our understanding of how people’s interactions with their environment affect their nutrition-related behaviors.
I use a variety of assessment techniques and collaborate across disciplines so that I can most effectively study the relationship between nutrition, wellness and healthy disease survivorship. In particular, I:
- Apply a community-based participatory approach to inform the development of supportive health intervention programs;
- Employ quantitative and qualitative methods to answer key research questions;
- Emphasize dietary quality and dietary diversity; and
- Engage family caregivers, because they are an important component of healthy survivorship, and because family members themselves are a high-risk population.
Principal Investigator
Brandy-Joe Milliron, PhD
Associate Professor - Nutrition Sciences
Health Sciences Building, 11th Floor, Room 11W34
60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 267.359.5835
Email: bm645@drexel.edu
Publications
National Library of Medicine
RESEARCH ON CANCER SURVIVORSHIP AND CAREGIVER HEALTH
Optimizing Healthful Nutrition of Cancer Caregivers and Survivors
The purpose of this study was to identify and explore nutrition-related beliefs, behaviors, and challenges to maintaining a healthy diet among people receiving treatment for gastrointestinal cancer and their family caregivers. In a sequential mixed methods design, we assessed caregivers' perceptions of competency in providing care for their loved ones, conducted in-depth interviews to elucidate supportive care needs, and conducted dietary assessments to identify drivers of high quality diets of both patients and caregivers. This research took place at Jefferson Health Asplundh Cancer Pavilion in Abington, PA.
Funded by the Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Transdisciplinary Integrated Population Science (TIPS) grants program.
Physical Activity and Nutrition Needs of Cancer Patients and Caregivers
The purpose of this research was to characterize nutrition-related beliefs, experiences, behaviors and nutrition-related treatment side effects among individuals with cancer and their caregivers, and to identify preferences, barriers, and facilitators of engagement in lifestyle modification strategies. Using a convergent mixed methods study design, study activities include structured data collection and in-depth interviews. This research included a collaboration with University of the Sciences and the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Cheltenham, PA.
Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Nutrition and physical activity assessment among men undergoing genetic counseling for inherited prostate cancer: exploring a teachable moment
In collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University's Department of Medical Oncology, this research investigated whether men diagnosed with prostate cancer and men at high risk for prostate cancer who have undergone genetic counseling and testing in the Genetic Evaluation of Men study (PI: Veda Giri, MD), were meeting dietary and physical activity recommendations.
Exploring the feasibility of incorporating nutrition-related lifestyle guidance into fertility counseling and treatment for female cancer survivors
The purpose of this research is to explore the feasibility of augmenting fertility counseling and treatment with nutrition-related lifestyle guidance for female cancer survivors. The specific objectives are to: assess nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs about fertility; characterize the barriers and challenges to improving nutrition-related behaviors; and assess the interest in, and preferences for nutrition-related lifestyle guidance during fertility counseling and treatment. Data collection include a structured survey, dietary assessment, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.
Funded by American Society for Nutrition and Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions.
RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF INTERACTION WITH NATURE
Nature Rx: Exploring the Relationship among Nature Relatedness, Nature-Based Experiences, and Dietary Quality
The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the relationship among nature-based experiences, nature relatedness, and dietary quality (using the Healthy Eating Index-2015). This work may impact public health and health promotion practices in two ways: 1) nature-based interventions may increase nature-based experiences and NR across the lifespan and potentially improve dietary quality; and 2) augmenting dietary interventions with nature-based activities may lead to greater improvements in dietary quality.
Funded by Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Openspace RX: Improving our city's open spaces through community engagement
Physical, emotional, cognitive and social benefits are directly associated with the amount of time people spend in nature. However, the relationship between spending time in nature and dietary quality and diversity remains to be explored. In collaboration with the Drexel Watershed Consortium and Drexel’s College of Engineering, we explored the relationships between Nature Relatedness and dietary diversity and fruit and vegetable intake.
Funded by the William Penn Foundation.
Heart healthy cooking lab: youth exploring wellness through cooking and gardening
The purpose of this research was to test the effect of augmenting a culinary skills program (Vetri Cooking Lab) with garden-based education (Greener Partners’ Farm Explorer) using a quasi-experimental matched-controlled trial design. The intervention program focuses on strengthening children's understanding of the connection between healthful eating, growing, cooking and wellness and epitomizes community partnership in research. We measured the effect of the program on nutrition-related knowledge, outcome expectations, and cooking self-efficacy, important precursors to long-term behavior change. This project was a collaboration between Drexel, Vetri Community Partnership, and Greener Partners, and illustrates the wide-ranging utility of gardens in health education.
Funded by Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions.
GLOBAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION RESEARCH
Formative research on infant and young child feeding and maternal nutrition in Tajikistan
UNICEF Tajikistan partnered with the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) and Drexel University (PI Ann Klassen, PhD, Dornsife School of Public Health), to conduct formative research to explore socio-cultural, economic, gender, and contextual determinants of infant and young child feeding and maternal nutrition practices in Tajikistan. This work also provided us with an opportunity for innovation in instrument development, leading to the creation of a tool that can be used in the systematic evaluation of the food environment in bazaars. This study was led by Dr. Ann Klassen; Dr. Milliron was a Co-investigator.
Funded by UNICEF Tajikistan.
Immunization and Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in Tajikistan
The purpose of this research was to identify and explore knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, expectation; experiences and practices related to immunization among parents of children age 0-6 and health professionals in Tajikistan. This research was a collaboration among UNICEF Tajikistan, the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) and Drexel University (PI Ann Klassen, PhD, Dornsife School of Public Health). This study was led by Dr. Ann Klassen; Dr. Milliron was a Co-investigator.
Funded by UNICEF Tajikistan.
COMMUNITY-BASED NUTRITION AND WELLNESS RESEARCH TO PREVENT AND MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASE
Identifying Healthy and High-Risk Weight Loss Phenotypes to Optimize Obesity Management in End Stage Kidney Disease
The purpose of this study is to identify healthy and high-risk obesity weight loss phenotypes in individuals with end stage kidney disease. This study is led by Dr. Meera Harhay; Dr. Milliron is a Co-investigator.
Funded by NIH/NIDDK.
Ice Cream Therapy: Functional Ice Cream Alternative to Oral Nutrition Supplements
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a functional frozen desert alternative to oral nutrition supplements in older adults. This study is led by Dr. Jonathan Deutsch; Dr. Milliron is a Co-investigator.
Funded by Drexel University Coulter Translational Research.
Reduced Sodium R & D and Industry Feedback
The purpose of this project was to increase accessibility and availability of lower sodium products for City of Philadelphia agencies, contracted vendors, and the restaurant and foodservice communities. This study was led by Dr. Jonathan Deutsch; Dr. Milliron was a Co-investigator.
Funded by the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health. Get Healthy Philly/Division of Chronic Disease Prevention.
Nutrition-Related Beliefs, Behaviors and Needs of Women with Perinatal Depression
The purpose of this study was to identify nutrition-related beliefs, behaviors and challenges for women with perinatal depression, and to elucidate the role that feeding plays in facilitating mother-infant interaction.
Funded by Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, Dean’s Rapid Response Relevant (R3) Grant.