Susan A. Nitzke

Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutritional Sciences
B.S. 1968, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. 1986, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian

Emphasis Group:
Human Nutrition

Research Interests:
Developing and evaluating techniques to improve the effectiveness of nutrition education.

Research Summary:
We have approached the challenge of improving nutrition education by identifying pertinent audience parameters and adapting promising theories and methods from related disciplines such as educational psychology and communications for use in specific nutrition education settings. We are applying theories, such as the trans-theoretical model (stages of change) to development of messages, strategies, and evaluation methods in nutrition education.

Representative Publications:

Nitzke S, Freeland-Graves.   Position of the American Dietetic Association: Total diet approach to communicating food and nutrition information.  Journal of The American Dietetic Association 2007;107:1224-1232.

Nitzke S, Geyer B.   Wisconsin's current concepts in nutrition and aging annual conference provides current, reliable and usable information for nutrition professionals. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2006;38:32-33.

Chang, MW, Baumann LC, Nitzke S, Brown R.  Predictors of fat intake behavior differ between normal weight and obese WIC mothers.  American Journal of Health Promotion 2005;19:269-277.

Ruud JS, Betts NM, Kritsch K, Nitzke S, Lohse B, Boeckner L.  Acceptability of stage-tailored newsletters about fruits and vegetables by young adults.  Journal of The American Dietetic Association  2005;105:1774-1778.

Nitzke S, Kritsch K. Boeckner L, Greene G, Hoerr S, Horacek T, Kattelmann K, Lohse B, Oakland MJ, Phillips B, White A.  A stage-tailored multi-modal intervention increases fruit and vegetable intakes of low-income young adults.  American Journal of Health Promotion 2007;22:6-14.