Overview
Melissa Kay is a public health nutritionist conducting research in support of early life obesity prevention. Her educational background includes public health, food policy and applied nutrition, epidemiology, and nutrition interventions. She is currently faculty in the Department of Pediatrics and is using digital technologies to augment clinical care between primary care visits as well as visits with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Using interactive text messaging, Dr. Kay supports caregivers in adopting healthy feeding behaviors for themselves and their families.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
·
2022 - Present
Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health,
Pediatrics
Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences
·
2023 - Present
Population Health Sciences,
Basic Science Departments
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
·
2023 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Whole grain intake among young children ages 12 to 48 months participating in the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study was higher in 2016 compared to 2008
Journal Article Nutrition Research · March 1, 2025 Consumption of whole grains confers multiple benefits and is an important source of fiber; as such, federal programs have updated policies to support increased whole grain consumption. Limited literature is available on consumption among young children and ... Full text CiteBarriers and Facilitators Influencing Parents’ Willingness to Follow Healthcare Provider Guidance for Addressing Behaviors Linked to Early Childhood Obesity Risk: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Journal Article Journal of Pediatric Health Care · March 2025 Full text CiteEffects of a Digital Intervention to Improve DASH and Blood Pressure Among US Adults.
Journal Article Hypertension · February 2025 BACKGROUND: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a recommended first-line treatment for adults with hypertension, yet adherence to DASH is low. To evaluate the efficacy of a digital health intervention (DHI), compared with attention control, o ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Prenatal maternal obesity and neurodevelopment: The mediating role of the microbiome and metabolome
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029AB3: Assessing Better Bottles for Babies
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2026Partnering with WIC to prevent excessive weight gain in pregnancy
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Temple University · 2018 - 2024View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ·
2017
Ph.D.
Tufts University, School of Medicine ·
2008
M.S.
Tufts University, School of Medicine ·
2008
M.P.H.