Uriyoán Colón-Ramos

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Bio

Dr. Uriyoán Colón-Ramos is a public health nutrition investigator with expertise working in Latin America and the Caribbean, and with minority populations in the United States. She is trilingual (Spanish, French and English) and has worked extensively in the field of nutrition in global health through collaborations with the Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud, the PanAmerican Health Organization, the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Costa Rica, the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública de Mexico, and the World Food Programme, among others. Her work has contributed to the knowledge of existing dietary disparities among Hispanic subgroups by country of origin, the process of translation of science into nutrition policy in Latin America, and the social and environmental determinants of dietary behaviors among vulnerable populations in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Colón-Ramos holds a Bachelor of Arts, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Cornell University. She obtained her doctorate in public health nutrition from the Harvard School of Public Health under a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellowship. She was the recipient of a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow to complete her postdoctoral studies at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health in the United States.

Dr. Colón-Ramos brings a unique perspective rooted in sociology and policy to the field of nutritional sciences. She employs mixed methods to identify and understand the dietary determinants of underserved, at-risk populations, and to better inform nutrition policies and programs.

Expertise

Expertise:

Global Health

Nutrition

Obesity

Population Health

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Sociological Perspectives of Nutrition in Developing Countries, Cornell University, 1999

Masters in Public Affairs & Nutrition, Cornell Institute of Public Affairs, Cornell University, 2000

Science Doctorate, Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, 2006

Teaching:

PubH 6482: International Food and Nutrition Policy and Programs

PubH 3190: Global Nutrition

PubH 6411: Global Health Data Collection

PubH 6015: Global Health Culminating Experience

Research

Research:

A fundamental question in global public health nutrition is how to best promote health and disease prevention among high-risk, underserved communities to promote health and nutrition equity. I use scientific approaches to produce evidence that can inform food and nutrition policies and programs. The studies from my group have contributed to: 1) produce knowledge of context-specific determinants of diet behaviors (especially in Latin America and the Caribbean--LAC); 2) develop, engineer and evaluate public health nutrition intervention strategies as potential solutions to address dietary disparities; 3) understand the role and interactions of diverse stakeholders and sectors to better inform policy that leads to nutrition equity.

I have expertise in mixed methods and community participatory research approaches, participatory intervention evaluation methods, and content expertise in nutritional sciences, public health nutrition, including nutrition and food security in the LAC region, assessment of food environments. I enjoy working with and engaging diverse stakeholders in understanding food systems and identifying potential intervention points to improve nutrition and reduce all forms of hunger and malnutrition. Through my research, service and teaching, I strive to create a learning environment that fosters problem solving and encourages collaborative learning.

Publications

Publications:

Dr. Colón-Ramos has over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Below are selected publications:

Lessons Learned for Emergency Feeding During Modifications to 11 School Feeding Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Colón-Ramos U, et al. Food Nutr Bull. 2022.PMID: 34894790

A Scoping Review of the Use of Indigenous Food Sovereignty Principles for Intervention and Future Directions.

Maudrie TL, et al. Among authors: colon ramos u.Curr Dev Nutr. 2021. PMID: 34345758

Capturing Disruptions to Food Availability After Disasters: Assessing the Food Environment Following Hurricanes Florence and María.

Clay LA, et al. Among authors: colon ramos u.Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2021.PMID: 34108072

Family function and eating behaviours among Hispanic/Latino youth: results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth).

Colón-Ramos U, et al. Public Health Nutr. 2021.PMID: 32838832

Foods Distributed During Federal Disaster Relief Response in Puerto Rico After Hurricane María Did Not Fully Meet Federal Nutrition Recommendations.

Colón-Ramos U, et al. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019.PMID: 31202694

Using a Community-Based Participatory Mixed Methods Research Approach to Develop, Evaluate, and Refine a Nutrition Intervention to Replace Sugary Drinks with Filtered Tap Water among Predominantly Central-American Immigrant Families with Infants and Toddlers: The Water Up @Home Pilot Evaluation Study.

McCarley S, et al. Among authors: colon ramos u.Nutrients. 2021. PMID: 34578820

Feasibility of collaborating with independent Latino-owned restaurants to increase sales of a healthy combo meal.

Poirier L, et al. Among authors: colon ramos u. J Public Health Res. 2021. PMID: 34850621

How Do African-American Caregivers Navigate a Food Desert to Feed Their Children? A Photovoice Narrative.

Colón-Ramos U, et al. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018.PMID: 29934282

How do Latina mothers navigate a ‘food swamp’: A photovoice approach. Colón-Ramos U, Monge-Rojas R, Cremm E, Rivera I, Andrade E, Edberg MC. Public Health Nutrition, 2017

Progress towards elimination of trans fatty acids in foods commonly consumed in four Latin American cities. Monge-Rojas R, Colón-Ramos U, Alfaro T, Graças Tavares do Carmo, Villalpando S, Bernal C, Ferrante D, Jacoby E. Public Health Nutrition, 2017

Changing places, changing plates? A binational comparison barriers and facilitators to healthful eating among Central American communities. Colón-Ramos U**, Fuster M. Journal of Immigrant Health Minor. 2017 Apr 19. doi: 10.1007/s10903-017-0588-2**Both authors contributed equally to all aspects of this manuscript

Promoting drinking water among Latino immigrant youth. Barrett N, Colón-Ramos U, Elkins A Rivera I, Evans D, Edberg M. J of Health Comm – 2017 Apr 20:1-10. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2017.1303557.

How Self-Objectification Impacts Physical Activity Among Adolescent Girls in Costa Rica. Monge-Rojas R, Fuster-Baraona T, Garita-Arce C, Sánchez-López M, Colón-Ramos U, Smith-Castro V. J Phys Act Health. 2017 Feb;14(2):123-129. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2016-0322

The Hispanic Paradox in the United States: A mortality comparison between archipelago and mainland Puerto Ricans. Colón-Ramos U, Rodriguez-Ayuso I, Gebrekristos H, Roess A, Perez CM, Simonsen L. J Immigrant and Minority Health, June 22, 2016.

Moving Toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to Achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Health Development: Three Essential Strategies Drawn From Asian Experience Comment on "Improving the World's Health Through the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Perspectives from Rwanda"

Xu Y, Huang C, Colón-Ramos U.Int J Health Policy Manag. 2015 Aug 26;4(12):869-72.

Association between dietary patterns during pregnancy and birth size measures in a diverse population in Southern US

Colón-Ramos U, Racette SB, Ganiban J, Nguyen TG, Kocak M, Carroll KN, Völgyi E, Tylavsky FA. Nutrients. 2015 Feb 16;7(2):1318-32.

Maternal dietary patterns and growth in a diverse population in the US.

Colón-Ramos U, Racette S, Ganiban J, Nguyen T, Kocak, M, Volgyi E, Tylavsky F. Maternal dietary patterns and growth in a diverse population in the US. Nutrients, February 2015.

Household food insecurity as a determinant of overweight and obesity among low-income Hispanic subgroups: Data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey

Smith TM, Colón-Ramos U, Pinard CA, Yaroch AL. Household food insecurity as a determinant of overweight and obesity among low-income Hispanic subgroups: Data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. Appetite. 2016 Feb 1;97:37-42.

Rising Overweight-Obesity and Its Socio-Demographic Correlates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2000-2011

Tebekaw Y, Teller C, Colón-Ramos U. Rising Overweight-Obesity and Its Socio-Demographic Correlates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2000-2011. BMC Public Health 2014.

The Association Between Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Knowledge of the Recommendation and Health Information-Seeking Within Adults in the US Mainland and in Puerto Rico

Colón-Ramos U, Finney-Rutten L, Moser R, Ortiz AP, Colón-Lopez V, Yaroch A. The Association Between Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Knowledge of the Recommendation and Health Information-Seeking Within Adults in the US Mainland and in Puerto Rico. Journal of Health Communication, September, 2014.

The Influence of Gender Stereotypes on Eating Habits Among Costa Rican Adolescents

Monge-Rojas R, Fuster-Baraona T, Garita C, Sánchez M, Smith-Castro V, Valverde-Cerros O, Colón-Ramos U. The Influence of Gender Stereotypes on Eating Habits Among Costa Rican Adolescents. Am J Health Promot. 2014 Apr 10.

Socio-demographic, behavioral, and health correlates of nutrition transition dietary indicators in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Colón-Ramos U, Pérez-Cardona CM, Monge-Rojas R. Socio-demographic, behavioral, and health correlates of nutrition transition dietary indicators in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2013 Nov; 34(5):330-5.

Impact of WHO recommendations to eliminate industrial trans-fatty acids from the food supply in Latin America and the Caribbean

Colón-Ramos U, Monge-Rojas R, Campos H. Impact of WHO recommendations to eliminate industrial trans-fatty acids from the food supply in Latin America and the Caribbean. Health Policy & Planning, Aug; 29 (5): 529-41; 2014.

Behavioral Correlates of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Puerto Rico: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey

Colón-López V, Banerjee G, Gertz AM, Ortiz AP, Calo W, Finnery Rutten LJ, Colón-Ramos U, Hesse BW, Tortolero-Luna G. Behavioral Correlates of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Puerto Rico: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Puerto Rico Health Science Journal 2013.

Psychosocial factors influencing the frequency of fast-food consumption among urban and rural Costa Rican adolescents

Monge-Rojas R, Smith-Castro V, Colón-Ramos U, Aragon MC, Herrera-Raven F. Psychosocial factors influencing the frequency of fast-food consumption among urban and rural Costa Rican adolescents. Nutrition. 2013. Jul-Aug; 29 (7-8): 1007-12.

Changes in Dietary Intake and Food Sources of Saturated and cis- and trans- Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Costa Rica Adolescents: 1996 and 2006

Monge-Rojas R, Aragon C, Chinnock A, Campos H, Colón-Ramos U. Changes in Dietary Intake and Food Sources of Saturated and cis- and trans- Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Costa Rica Adolescents: 1996 and 2006. Nutrition. 2013 Apr; 29(4): 641-5.

Evaluation of three short dietary instruments to assess fruit and vegetable intake: the National Cancer Institute’s food attitudes and behaviors survey

Yaroch AL, Thompson OM, Tooze J, Thompson FE, Blanck HM, Colón-Ramos U, Shaikh A, McNutt S, Moshfegh A, Nebeling LC. Evaluation of three short dietary instruments to assess fruit and vegetable intake: the National Cancer Institute’s food attitudes and behaviors survey. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012; 112 (10): 1570-7.

Voluntary reduction of trans-fatty acids in Latin America and the Caribbean: Where are we?

Monge-Rojas R, Colón-Ramos U, Jacoby E, Mozaffarian D. Voluntary reduction of trans-fatty acids in Latin America and the Caribbean: Where are we? Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2011; 29(2):126-9.

Poverty, food insecurity, and obesity: a conceptual framework to guide research and practice. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition 2010

Finney-Rutten L, Yaroch AL, Colón-Ramos U, Reed K, Johnson-Askew W, Story M. Poverty, food insecurity, and obesity: a conceptual framework to guide research and practice. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition 2010: 5(4): 403-415.

Parental feeding styles and adolescents’ healthy eating habits: Structure and correlates of a Costa Rican questionnaire

Monge-Rojas R, Smith-Castro V, Colón-Ramos U, Garita-Arce C, Sanchez-López M. Parental feeding styles and adolescents’ healthy eating habits: Structure and correlates of a Costa Rican questionnaire. Appetite. 2010;55(2):253-62.

Awareness, use, and perceptions of low carbohydrate diets and nutritional recommendations

Finney Rutten LJ, Yaroch AL, Colón-Ramos U, Atienza AA. Awareness, use, and perceptions of low carbohydrate diets and nutritional recommendations. Preventing Chronic Disease. 2008 Oct;5(4):A130.

Barriers to and suggestions for a healthful, active lifestyle as perceived by rural and urban Costa Rican adolescents

Monge-Rojas R, Garita-Arce C, Sánchez-López M, Colón-Ramos U. Barriers to and suggestions for a healthful, active lifestyle as perceived by rural and urban Costa Rican adolescents. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior. 2009 May-Jun;41(3):152-60.

Differences in fruit and vegetable intake among Hispanic subgroups in California: Results from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey

Colón-Ramos U, Thompson FE, Yaroch AL, Moser RP, McNeel TS, Dodd KW, Atienza AA, Sugerman SB, Nebeling L. Differences in fruit and vegetable intake among Hispanic subgroups in California: Results from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2009 Nov; 109(11):1878-85.

Practicing what they preach: health behaviors of those who provide health advice to extensive social networks

Colón-Ramos U, Atienza AA, Weber D, Taylor M, Uy C, Yaroch AL. Practicing what they preach: health behaviors of those who provide health advice to extensive social networks. Journal of Health Communication. 2009 Mar;14(2):119-30.

Barriers to translation of scientific research about trans-fatty acids to nutrition policy in Costa Rica: a case study

Colón-Ramos U, Lindsay AC., Monge-Rojas R, Greaney M, Campos H, Peterson KE. Barriers to translation of scientific research about trans-fatty acids to nutrition policy in Costa Rica: a case study. Journal of Health Policy and Planning. 2007 Nov; 22(6):363-74.

Socioeconomic status and health awareness are associated with choice of cooking oil in Costa Rica

Colón-Ramos U, Kabagambe E, Ascherio A, Campos H, Baylin A, Peterson KE. Socioeconomic status and health awareness are associated with choice of cooking oil in Costa Rica. Journal of Public Health Nutrition. 2007 Mar 29;1-9.

The relationship between trans-fatty acid levels and increased risk of myocardial infarction does not hold at lower levels of trans-fatty acids in the Costa Rican food supply

Colón-Ramos U, Baylin A, Campos H. The relationship between trans-fatty acid levels and increased risk of myocardial infarction does not hold at lower levels of trans-fatty acids in the Costa Rican food supply. Journal of Nutrition. 2006 Nov;136(11):2887-92.

Other publications:

Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y Anécdotas del Científico Puertorro

Colón-Ramos U. Chapters in Section III (“La ciencia y tu salud”). Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y Anécdotas del Científico Puertorro. San Juan, PR: Ediciones Callejón, 2011.

Puerto Rico- un paraíso tropical donde no se come frutas

Colón-Ramos U. “Puerto Rico- un paraíso tropical donde no se come frutas’ Ciencia. El Nuevo Dia. San Juan Puerto Rico, Oct 9, 2014, and El Nuevo Periódico, Caguas, PR, Oct 9, 2014.

Trans fats. Case for a global ban

Kraak V, Colón-Ramos U, Monge-Rojas R. “Legislation: Trans fats. Case for a global ban [Commentary]. Journal of the World Public Health Nutrition Association. www.wphna.org. Volume 3, Number 12, December 2012.

Bulking the public: food companies, cash in on fiber

Liebman B; Schardt D; Colón-Ramos U, “Bulking the public: food companies, cash in on fiber.” Nutrition Action Healthletter. Jul 1, 2008.

Self-Sustainable Communities in the 2000: A Utopian Vision?

Colón-Ramos U. Self-Sustainable Communities in the 2000: A Utopian Vision? The Current. Cornell University. Spring 2000.

Mejor la salud de los boricuas en Nueva York

Colón-Ramos U, “Mejor la salud de los boricuas en Nueva York.” El Nuevo Día. San Juan, PR. Nov 25, 2006.

Web 2019 Update - CSS

Uriyoan

Colon-Ramos, ScD, MPA

Associate Professor

Uriyoán Colón-Ramos

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Dr. Colón-Ramos has over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Below are selected publications: