Jill Kaar, PhD

Professional Titles

• Director - Research Outcomes in Children's Surgery (ROCS)
• Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA)
• Associate Professor - Department of Surgery
• Associate Professor - Department of Pediatrics

Recognitions

• Supporting Women in Medical Sciences Outstanding Peer Mentor Award, Supporting Women in Medical Sciences (SWIMS) (2018)
• 2021 Outstanding Women in Stem (WiSTEM) Mentorship Award, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (2021)

Research Interests

As a behavioral epidemiologist, I study how health behaviors (i.e., sleep, diet, and activity), impact the health (i.e., obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), early risk factors for cardiovascular disease) and well-being (i.e., indicators of mental health, depression, anxiety) of children and adolescents. I use observational methods via both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to first identify key associations with health behaviors and disease risk, and then use these findings to guide intervention strategies with potential for widespread dissemination and implementation. At this time, I am principal investigator for three active intervention protocols that use both clinical and school-based designs to change behaviors of children and adolescents. All active protocols have a sleep intervention component and are focused on improving mental and/or physical health of pediatric populations. I have worked in the field of pediatric weight management for almost fifteen years. First, as a dietician at a children’s hospital outpatient weight management clinic and on others’ research protocols and now I am the principal investigator for my own research studies targeting health outcomes (i.e., weight loss, prevention of T2D) and well-being (i.e., building resilience, coping skills, decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety) in pediatric populations. My primary research focus is examining the mediating effect of sleep duration on the relationship between health behaviors, diet and activity, and overall health in children and adolescents.

Publications

• Kaar JL, Brinton JT, Crume T, Hamman RF, Glueck DH and Dabelea D. Leptin levels at birth and infant growth: The EPOCH Study (In review: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)
• Kaar JL, Crume T, Brinton JT, Bischoff KJ, McDuffie R and Dabelea D. Maternal Obesity, Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring Adiposity: the EPOCH Study. (In review: Journal of Pediatrics)
• Kaar JL, Markovic N, Amsden LB, Gilliland J, Shorter CD, Peters B, Nachreiner NM, Garel M, Nicholas W, Skarpness B and Dabelea D. The experience of the High-Low National Children’s Study Vanguard Centers: Is Successful Recruitment Related to Community Factors? (In review: Journal of Pediatrics)
• Li C, Beech B, Crume T, D’Agostino RB, Jr., Dabelea D, Dolan L, Kaar JL, Liese A, Mayer-Davis E, Pate R, Pettitt DJ, Merchant AT. Longitudinal Association between TV Watching and Diabetes Risk Markers in SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study (In review: JAMA)
• Kaar JL, Brinton JT, Crume T, Hamman RF, Glueck DH and Dabelea D. Leptin levels at birth and infant growth: The EPOCH Study. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2014 5(3), 214-218.
• Li C, Beech B, Crume T, D'Agostino RB Jr, Dabelea D, Kaar JL, Liese AD, Mayer-Davis EJ, Pate R, Pettitt DJ, Taplin C, Rodriguez B, Merchant AT. Longitudinal association between television watching and computer use and risk markers in diabetes in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study. Pediatr Diabetes. 2015 Aug;16(5):382-91. PubMed PMID: 25041407
• Kaar JL, van Sluijs E, Sharp SJ, Nagle EF, Robertson RJ, and Aaron DJ. The association between change in physical activity and weight during adolescence. Child and Adolescent Behaviour 2015 Aug 3(4), 233-239.
• Sauder KA, Starling AP, Shapiro AL, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Exploring the association between maternal prenatal multivitamin use and early infant growth: The Healthy Start Study. Pediatric Obesity.
• Kaar JL, Shapiro ALB, Fell DM, and Johnson SL. Parental Feeding Practices, Food Neophobia and Child Food Preferences: What combination results in a child eating their vegetables? submitted to Food Quality and Preferences
• Kaar JL, Crume T, Brinton JT, Bischoff KJ, McDuffie R and Dabelea D. Maternal Obesity, Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring Adiposity: the EPOCH Study. Journal of Pediatrics 2014 Jul 1
• Li C, Beech B, Crume T, D’Agostino RB, Jr., Dabelea D, Dolan L, Kaar JL, Liese A, Mayer-Davis E, Pate R, Pettitt DJ, and Merchant AT. Longitudinal association between television watching and computer use and risk markers in diabetes in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study. Pediatric Diabetes. 12 Jul 2014
• Kaar JL, Shapiro ALB, and Johnson SL. Parental Feeding Practices, Food Neophobia and Child Food Preferences: What combination results in a child eating their vegetables?
• Kaar JL, Markovic N, Amsden LB, Gilliland J, Shorter CF, Peters B, Nachreiner NM, Garel M, Nicholas W, Skarpness B, Drews-Botsch C, Hogue CJ and Dabelea D. The Experience of the Direct Outreach Recruitment in the National Children’s Study Vanguard Centers: Is Successful Recruitment Related to Community Factors?
• Shapiro ALB, Kaar JL, Crume TL, Starling AP, Siega-Riz AM, Ringham B, Glueck D, Norris J, Barbour LA, Friedman JE and Dabelea D. Maternal Diet Quality in Pregnancy Influences Neonatal Adiposity: The Healthy Start Study. submitted to International Journal of Obesity
• Starling, A.P., A.L. Shapiro, J. Kaar, K.A. Sauder, T. Crume, D.H. Glueck, B.M. Ringham, A.M. Siega-Riz, D. Dabelea. Diet quality during early and mid-pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes or abnormal glucose tolerance: the Healthy Start study. submitted to Diabetologia
• Kaar JL, Markovic N, Amsden LB, Gilliland J, Shorter CD, Peters B, Nachreiner NM, Garel M, Nicholas W, Skarpness B and Dabelea D. The experience of the High-Low National Children’s Study Vanguard Centers: Is Successful Recruitment Related to Community Factors? submitted to Journal of Pediatrics
• Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, VanHorn L, Feig D, Patel M, Cruz J, Kreb N, Xanthakos S, and Johnson RK. Dietary Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. submitted to Circulation
• Tigges BB, Kaar JL, Erbstein N, Silberman P, Winseck K, Lopez-Class M, and Burbacher TM. Community outreach and engagement as preparation for recruitment. submitted to Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
• Starling, A.P., A.L. Shapiro, K.A. Sauder, J.L. Kaar, Ringham, A.M., D.H. Glueck, H.L. Galan, D. Dabelea. Blood Pressure during Pregnancy, Neonatal Size, and altered body composition: The Healthy Start Study. submitted to Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Shapiro ALB, Kaar JL, Crume TL, Starling AP, Siega-Riz AM, Ringham B, Glueck D, Norris J, Barbour LA, Friedman JE and Dabelea D. Maternal Diet Quality in Pregnancy Influences Neonatal Adiposity: The Healthy Start Study. American Society of Nutrition, March 29, 2015.
• Starling, A.P., A.L. Shapiro, J. Kaar, K.A. Sauder, T. Crume, D.H. Glueck, B.M. Ringham, A.M. Siega-Riz, D. Dabelea. Diet quality during pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: the Healthy Start study. Accepted for a poster presentation at the American Diabetes Association 75th Scientific Sessions, Boston, MA. June 5-9, 2015.
• Sauder KA, Starling AP, Kaar JL, Shapiro AL, Ringham BH, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy and offspring adiposity: The Healthy Start Study. Abstract publication only at the American Diabetes Association 75th Scientific Sessions, in Boston, MA. June 2015.
• Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, Van Horn LV, Feig DI, Anderson CA, Patel MJ, Cruz Munos J, Krebs NF, Xanthakos SA, Johnson RK. Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2016 Aug 22. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27550974
• Tigges BB, Kaar JL, Erbstein N, Silberman P, Winseck K, Lopez-Class M, Burbacher TM. Effectiveness of community outreach and engagement in recruitment success for a prebirth cohort. J Clin Transl Sci. 2017 Jun;1(3):184-191. PubMed PMID: 29082032
• Kaar JL, Luberto CM, Campbell KA, Huffman JC. Sleep, health behaviors, and behavioral interventions: Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. World J Cardiol. 2017 May 26;9(5):396-406. PubMed PMID: 28603586
• Kaar JL, Markovic N, Amsden LB, Gilliland J, Shorter CF, Peters B, Nachreiner NM, Garel M, Nicholas W, Skarpness B, Drews-Botsch C, Hogue CJ, Dabelea D. The Experience of Direct Outreach Recruitment in the National Children's Study. Pediatrics. 2016 Jun;137 Suppl 4:S258-64. PubMed PMID: 27251872
• Starling AP, Sauder KA, Kaar JL, Shapiro AL, Siega-Riz AM, Dabelea D. Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy Are Associated with Newborn Body Composition. J Nutr. 2017 Jul;147(7):1334-1339. PubMed PMID: 28539412
• Kaar JL, Simon SL, Schmiege SJ, Nadeau KJ, Kelsey MM. Adolescent's Health Behaviors and Risk for Insulin Resistance: A Review of the Literature. Curr Diab Rep. 2017 Jul;17(7):49. PubMed PMID: 28526994
• Starling AP, Shapiro ALB, Sauder KA, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Galan HL, Dabelea D. Blood pressure during pregnancy, neonatal size and altered body composition: the Healthy Start study. J Perinatol. 2017 May;37(5):502-506. PubMed PMID: 28181996
• Sauder KA, Kaar JL, Starling AP, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Predictors of Infant Body Composition at 5 Months of Age: The Healthy Start Study. J Pediatr. 2017 Apr;183:94-99.e1. PubMed PMID: 28161200
• Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, Van Horn LV, Feig DI, Anderson CAM, Patel MJ, Cruz Munos J, Krebs NF, Xanthakos SA, Johnson RK. Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017 May 9;135(19):e1017-e1034. PubMed PMID: 27550974
• Hudak ML, Park CH, Annett RD, Hale DE, McGovern PM, McLaughlin TJ, Dole N, Kaar JL, Balsam MJ. The National Children's Study: An Introduction and Historical Overview. Pediatrics. 2016 Jun;137 Suppl 4:S213-8. PubMed PMID: 27251867
• Shapiro AL, Kaar JL, Crume TL, Starling AP, Siega-Riz AM, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Norris JM, Barbour LA, Friedman JE, Dabelea D. Maternal diet quality in pregnancy and neonatal adiposity: the Healthy Start Study. Int J Obes (Lond). 2016 Jul;40(7):1056-62. PubMed PMID: 27133623
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Vadiveloo M, Simon SL, Tovar A. Sleep duration mediates the relationship between health behavior patterns and obesity. Sleep Health. 2018 Oct;4(5):442-447. PubMed PMID: 30241659
• Sauder KA, Starling AP, Shapiro AL, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Leiferman JA, Siega-Riz AM, Dabelea D. Diet, physical activity and mental health status are associated with dysglycaemia in pregnancy: the Healthy Start Study. Diabet Med. 2016 May;33(5):663-7. PubMed PMID: 26872289
• Andersen LM, Boles RE, Kaar JL, Gance-Cleveland B, Gauthier KI, Cason-Wilkerson R, Federspiel D, Valenzuela M, Thompson DA. Use of the Delphi Technique to Obtain Community Input on Leading Contributors to Early Childhood Obesity in Latino Communities. Hisp Health Care Int. 2018 Sep 12;:1540415318798839. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30207164
• Simon SL, Diniz Behn C, Cree-Green M, Kaar JL, Pyle L, Hawkins SMM, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Wright Jr KP, Nadeau KJ. Too late and not enough: School year sleep duration, timing, and circadian misalignment are associated with reduced insulin sensitivity in adolescents with obesity. Journal of Pediatrics (accepted, October 11, 2018)
• Kaar JL, Hanson JL, Caskey SA, Jimenez S, Lane L, Krebs NF, and Thompson DA. Beyond nutrition knowledge and tools - what do physicians really need? Medical Science Educator (accepted, October 19, 2018)
• Sauder KA, Starling AP, Shapiro AL, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Exploring the association between maternal prenatal multivitamin use and early infant growth: The Healthy Start Study. Pediatr Obes. 2016 Oct;11(5):434-41. PubMed PMID: 26663829
• Kaar JL, Shapiro ALB, Fell D and Johnson SL. Parental Feeding Practices, Food Neophobia and Child Food Preferences: What combination results in a child eating their vegetables? Food Quality and Preferences 2016 Jan 16(50): 57-64.
• McCurdy K, Tovar A, Kaar JL, and Vadiveloo. Pathways between maternal depression, the family environment, and child BMI z scores. Appetite (accepted Oct 25, 2018)
• Kaar JL, Sauder KA, Shapiro ALB, Starling AP, Ringham BM, Johnson SL, and Dabelea D. Infant feeding practices in a diverse group of women: The Healthy Start Study. Clinical Medicine Insights: Pediatrics (under review, August 1, 2018)
• Kaar JL, Simon SL, Summers S, Simmons JA, Boles R, Daniels S, Dabelea D. Improving the Quantification of Sleep Duration in Research and Clinical Practice among Preschool-aged Children. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (under review, October 30, 2018)
• Crume T, Brinton J, Shapiro, A, Kaar JL, Glueck D, Siega-Riz AM, Dabelea D. Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and offspring body composition: The Healthy Start Study. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Kalkwarf HJ, Woo JG, Daniels SR, Simon SL. Longitudinal Assessment of Sleep Trajectories During Early Childhood and Their Association with Obesity. Child Obes. 2019 Nov 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31750742
• Lee JA, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Caughlan T, Rahaman D, Sabin M, Kaar JL. Evaluation of a Resiliency Focused Health Coaching Intervention for Middle School Students: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids Program. Am J Health Promot. 2020 Sep 22;:890117120959152. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32959670
• Cree-Green M, Carreau AM, Davis SM, Frohnert BI, Kaar JL, Ma NS, Nokoff NJ, Reusch JEB, Simon SL, Nadeau KJ. Peer mentoring for professional and personal growth in academic medicine. J Investig Med. 2020 Aug;68(6):1128-1134. PubMed PMID: 32641352
• Davis SM, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Hockett CW, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Sex differences in infant body composition emerge in the first 5 months of life. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Nov 26;32(11):1235-1239. PubMed PMID: 31483758
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Drews K, Higgins J, Walders-Abramson N, Isganaitis E, Willi SM, Marcus MD, Zeitler PS, Kelsey MM. Evaluation of the longitudinal change in health behavior profiles across treatment groups in the TODAY clinical trial. Pediatr Diabetes. 2020 Mar;21(2):224-232. PubMed PMID: 31886931
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Kalkwarf HJ, Woo JG, Daniels SR, Simon SL. Longitudinal Assessment of Sleep Trajectories during Early Childhood and Their Association with Obesity. Child Obes. 2020 Apr;16(3):211-217. PubMed PMID: 31750742
• Davis SM, Kaar JL, Ringham BM, Hockett CW, Glueck DH, Dabelea D. Sex differences in infant body composition emerge in the first 5 months of life. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Nov 26;32(11):1235-1239. PubMed PMID: 31483758
• Tovar A, Kaar JL, McCurdy K, Field AE, Dabelea D, Vadiveloo M. Maternal vegetable intake during and after pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Jul 26;19(1):267. PubMed PMID: 31349808
• Tovar A, Kaar JL, McCurdy K, Field AE, Dabelea D, Vadiveloo M. Maternal vegetable intake during and after pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Jul 26;19(1):267. PubMed PMID: 31349808
• Simon SL, Diniz Behn C, Laikin A, Kaar JL, Rahat H, Cree-Green M, Wright KP Jr, Nadeau KJ. Sleep & Circadian Health are Associated with Mood & Behavior in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. Behav Sleep Med. 2020 Jul-Aug;18(4):550-559. PubMed PMID: 31218887
• Simon SL, McWhirter L, Diniz Behn C, Bubar KM, Kaar JL, Pyle L, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Carreau AM, Wright KP, Nadeau KJ, Cree-Green M. Morning Circadian Misalignment Is Associated With Insulin Resistance in Girls With Obesity and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Aug 1;104(8):3525-3534. PubMed PMID: 30888398
• Simon SL, Diniz Behn C, Laikin A, Kaar JL, Rahat H, Cree-Green M, Wright KP Jr, Nadeau KJ. Sleep & Circadian Health are Associated with Mood & Behavior in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. Behav Sleep Med. 2019 Jun 20;:1-10. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31218887
• Kaar JL, Sauder KA, Shapiro AL, Starling AP, Ringham BM, Johnson SL, Dabelea D. Infant Feeding Practices In a Diverse Group of Women: The Healthy Start Study. Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2019;13:1179556518824362. PubMed PMID: 30718970
• McCurdy K, Tovar A, Kaar JL, Vadiveloo M. Pathways between maternal depression, the family environment, and child BMI z scores. Appetite. 2019 Mar 1;134:148-154. PubMed PMID: 30599152
• Simon SL, Behn CD, Cree-Green M, Kaar JL, Pyle L, Hawkins SMM, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Wright KP Jr, Nadeau KJ. Too Late and Not Enough: School Year Sleep Duration, Timing, and Circadian Misalignment Are Associated with Reduced Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. J Pediatr. 2019 Feb;205:257-264.e1. PubMed PMID: 30497764
• Simon SL, McWhirter L, Diniz Behn C, Bubar KM, Kaar JL, Pyle L, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Carreau AM, Wright KP, Nadeau KJ, Cree-Green M. Morning Circadian Misalignment Is Associated With Insulin Resistance in Girls With Obesity and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Aug 1;104(8):3525-3534. PubMed PMID: 30888398
• Kaar JL, Sauder KA, Shapiro AL, Starling AP, Ringham BM, Johnson SL, Dabelea D. Infant Feeding Practices In a Diverse Group of Women: The Healthy Start Study. Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2019;13:1179556518824362. PubMed PMID: 30718970
• Russell KW, Acker SN, Ignacio RC, Lofberg KM, Garvey EM, Chao SD, Bliss DW, Smith CA, Nehra D, Anderson ML, Bunnell BL, Shahi N, Perry JM, Evans LL, Kwong JZ, Tobias J, Rohan A, Pickett KL, Kaar JL, Kastenberg ZJ, Laskey AL, Scaife ER, Jensen AR. Child physical abuse and COVID-19: Trends from nine pediatric trauma centers. J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Oct 8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34758909
• Sabin C, Bowen AE, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Lund L, Studts CR, Shomaker LB, Simon SL, Kaar JL. The Impact of a Universal Mental Health Intervention on Youth with Elevated Negative Affectivity: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Contemp Sch Psychol. 2021 Jul 27;:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34336376
• McCurdy K, Tovar A, Kaar JL, Vadiveloo M. Pathways between maternal depression, the family environment, and child BMI z scores. Appetite. 2019 Mar 1;134:148-154. PubMed PMID: 30599152
• Clark ELM, Gulley LD, Prince MA, Casamassima M, Sanchez N, Jimenez V, Johnson SA, Miller RL, Conte I, Kaar JL, Simon SL, Melby C, Lucas-Thompson RG, Shomaker LB. The role of mindfulness in associations among depression symptoms, sleep duration, and insulin resistance in adolescents. J Behav Med. 2021 Oct;44(5):694-703. PubMed PMID: 33884531
• Hudnut-Beumler J, Kaar JL, Taylor A, Kelsey MM, Nadeau KJ, Zeitler P, Snell-Bergeon J, Pyle L, Cree-Green M. Development of type 2 diabetes in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity. Pediatr Diabetes. 2021 Aug;22(5):699-706. PubMed PMID: 33870630
• Simon SL, Behn CD, Cree-Green M, Kaar JL, Pyle L, Hawkins SMM, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Wright KP Jr, Nadeau KJ. Too Late and Not Enough: School Year Sleep Duration, Timing, and Circadian Misalignment Are Associated with Reduced Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. J Pediatr. 2019 Feb;205:257-264.e1. PubMed PMID: 30497764
• Lee JA, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Caughlan T, Rahaman D, Sabin M, Kaar JL. Study protocol for a school-based single group pragmatic trial to promote resilience in youth: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2021 Mar;21:100721. PubMed PMID: 33665468
• Kaar JL, Morelli N, Russell SP, Talker I, Moore JM, Inge TH, Nadeau KJ, Hawkins SMM, Aloia MS, Simon SL. Obstructive sleep apnea and early weight loss among adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2021 Apr;17(4):711-717. PubMed PMID: 33478907
• Lee JA, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Caughlan T, Rahaman D, Sabin M, Kaar JL. Evaluation of a Resiliency Focused Health Coaching Intervention for Middle School Students: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids Program. Am J Health Promot. 2021 Mar;35(3):344-351. PubMed PMID: 32959670
• Cree-Green M, Carreau AM, Davis SM, Frohnert BI, Kaar JL, Ma NS, Nokoff NJ, Reusch JEB, Simon SL, Nadeau KJ. Peer mentoring for professional and personal growth in academic medicine. J Investig Med. 2020 Aug;68(6):1128-1134. PubMed PMID: 32641352
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Vadiveloo M, Simon SL, Tovar A. Sleep duration mediates the relationship between health behavior patterns and obesity. Sleep Health. 2018 Oct;4(5):442-447. PubMed PMID: 30241659
• Andersen LM, Boles RE, Kaar JL, Gance-Cleveland B, Gauthier KI, Cason-Wilkerson R, Federspiel D, Valenzuela M, Thompson DA. Use of the Delphi Technique to Obtain Community Input on Leading Contributors to Early Childhood Obesity in Latino Communities. Hisp Health Care Int. 2018 Sep;16(3):113-119. PubMed PMID: 30207164
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Drews K, Higgins J, Walders-Abramson N, Isganaitis E, Willi SM, Marcus MD, Zeitler PS, Kelsey MM. Evaluation of the longitudinal change in health behavior profiles across treatment groups in the TODAY clinical trial. Pediatr Diabetes. 2020 Mar;21(2):224-232. PubMed PMID: 31886931
• Kaar JL, Schmiege SJ, Kalkwarf HJ, Woo JG, Daniels SR, Simon SL. Longitudinal Assessment of Sleep Trajectories during Early Childhood and Their Association with Obesity. Child Obes. 2020 Apr;16(3):211-217. PubMed PMID: 31750742
• Simon SL, Diniz Behn C, Laikin A, Kaar JL, Rahat H, Cree-Green M, Wright KP Jr, Nadeau KJ. Sleep & Circadian Health are Associated with Mood & Behavior in Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. Behav Sleep Med. 2020 Jul-Aug;18(4):550-559. PubMed PMID: 31218887
• Ware MA, Kaar JL, Diniz Behn C, Bartlette K, Carreau AM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Scherzinger A, Xie D, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Nadeau KJ, Cree-Green M. Pancreatic fat relates to fasting insulin and postprandial lipids but not polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents with obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Jan;30(1):191-200. PubMed PMID: 34932884
• Ware MA, Chandrasekhar JL, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Bowen AE, Studts CR, Shomaker LB, Simon SL, and Kaar JL. Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Elevated Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Middle School Students: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. International Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health.
• Bowen AE, Wesley KL, Cooper EH, Meier M, Kaar JL, Simon SL. Longitudinal assessment of anxiety and depression symptoms in U.S. adolescents across six months of the coronavirus pandemic. BMC Psychol. 2022 Dec 29;10(1):322. PubMed PMID: 36581894
• Gitomer SA, Tholen K, Pickett K, Mistry RD, Beswick DM, Kaar JL, Herrmann BW. Olfactory testing as COVID-19 screening in school children; A prospective cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2022;17(11):e0277882. PubMed PMID: 36413561
• Reppucci ML, Tong S, Simon SL, Nolan MM, Jujare S, Moulton SL, Kaar JL. Factors associated with new mental health diagnoses and resource utilization among pediatric patients following trauma admission. J Pediatr Surg. 2023 Jan;58(1):118-124. PubMed PMID: 36273919
• Acker SN, Kaar JL, Prendergast C, Inge TH, Diaz-Miron J, Peterson PN. Variation in cost of disposable operating room supplies at a children's hospital. J Pediatr Surg. 2022 Aug 5. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35973858
• Simon SL, Kaar JL, Talker I, Reich J. Evidence-Based Behavioral Strategies in Smartphone Apps for Children's Sleep: Content Analysis. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2022 Mar 3;5(1):e32129. PubMed PMID: 35238787
• Simon SL, Ware MA, Bowen AE, Chandrasekhar JL, Lee JA, Shomaker LB, Gulley LD, Heberlein E, Kaar JL. Sleep Moderates Improvements in Mental Health Outcomes in Youth: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Am J Health Promot. 2022 Jun;36(5):772-780. PubMed PMID: 35081761
• Ware MA, Kaar JL, Diniz Behn C, Bartlette K, Carreau AM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Scherzinger A, Xie D, Rahat H, Garcia-Reyes Y, Nadeau KJ, Cree-Green M. Pancreatic fat relates to fasting insulin and postprandial lipids but not polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents with obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Jan;30(1):191-200. PubMed PMID: 34932884
• Kaar JL, Bowen AE, Simon SL, Dadematthews A, Chandrasekhar JL, Musci R, Pangelinan M. A call to create evidence-based mental health promotion interventions for youth that are equitable across ethnic/racial subgroups: Advocates 4-ALL Youth. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1139921. PubMed PMID: 37151585
• Chandrasekhar JL, Bowen AE, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Studts CR, Simon SL, Shomaker L, Kaar JL. Correction to: Universal, School-Based Mental Health Program Implemented among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Youth Yields Equitable Outcomes: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Community Ment Health J. 2023 Aug;59(6):1118. PubMed PMID: 36929500
• Chandrasekhar JL, Bowen AE, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Studts CR, Simon SL, Shomaker L, Kaar JL. Universal, School-Based Mental Health Program Implemented Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Youth Yields Equitable Outcomes: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Community Ment Health J. 2023 Aug;59(6):1109-1117. PubMed PMID: 36757609
• Reppucci ML, Tong S, Simon SL, Nolan MM, Jujare S, Moulton SL, Kaar JL. Factors associated with new mental health diagnoses and resource utilization among pediatric patients following trauma admission. J Pediatr Surg. 2023 Jan;58(1):118-124. PubMed PMID: 36273919
• Acker SN, Kaar JL, Prendergast C, Inge TH, Diaz-Miron J, Peterson PN. Variation in cost of disposable operating room supplies at a children's hospital. J Pediatr Surg. 2023 Mar;58(3):518-523. PubMed PMID: 35973858
• Sabin C, Bowen AE, Heberlein E, Pyle E, Lund L, Studts CR, Shomaker LB, Simon SL, Kaar JL. The Impact of a Universal Mental Health Intervention on Youth with Elevated Negative Affectivity: Building Resilience for Healthy Kids. Contemp Sch Psychol. 2023;27(1):53-60. PubMed PMID: 34336376

Professional Memberships

• Sleep Research Society (SRS), Member
• American Heart Association (AHA), Member
• AHA Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health, Member
• Academic Pediatric Association (APA), Member
• Society for Prevention Research, Member
• American Association of Suicidology, Member
• Western Society of Pediatric Research, Member