About

Laura Bellows, PhD, MPH, RDN, is the Principal Investigator at the Health Behaviors Lab at Cornell University. Originally from West Milford, New Jersey, she has a passion for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, and boating, as well as travel and sports, including University of Michigan and Cornell hockey. Dr. Bellows is driven by the synergy of working in communities, involving students in research, and examining the impact of innovative approaches on improving the health of children and families. This commitment fuels her passion for public health and behavioral research. Dr. Bellows moved to Ithaca in 2020 after spending 20 years in Colorado, where she lived in Boulder and worked for Colorado State University. She enjoys being back on the East Coast and exploring Upstate New York with her husband, son, and two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Her interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, innovation, and critical thinking among her students, emphasizing the importance of diverse backgrounds and individual interests to drive successful projects that make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Developmental psychology
• Political Science
• Multimedia
• Medical education
• Pedagogy
• Applied psychology
• Physical therapy
• Nursing
• Psychiatry
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Business
• Agricultural science
• Social psychology
• Ecology
• Marketing
• Pediatrics
• Mathematics education
• Gerontology
• Food science

Selected publications

• Associations between income and coping strategies among households at risk of food insecurity in a high cost-of-living region

  Health Affairs Scholar · 2026-03-26

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• The Relationship between Health Literacy, Nutrition Literacy, and Food Literacy and Dietary Behaviors in Adults: A Systematic Review

  Nutrition Reviews · 2026-03-03

  articleSenior author

  CONTEXT: Nutrition interventions aiming to improve dietary behaviors often incorporate Health Literacy (HL), Nutrition Literacy (NL), or Food Literacy (FL), as a key component. The relationship between Health, Nutrition, and Food Literacy (HNFL) and dietary intake and diet adherence (eg, to dietary patterns or to recommended intake frequency guidelines) is unclear, and the role of the various literacy assessments remains unexamined. These gaps limit the understanding of how HNFL impacts efforts to improve dietary behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to examine how HNFL is associated with dietary intake and adherence to dietary patterns or guidelines, emphasizing the type and comprehensiveness of the HNFL assessments used. DATA SOURCES: Five electronic databases were used: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Psycinfo, and Communication and Mass Media Complete. DATA EXTRACTION: Data screening, extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 4 reviewers using the PRISMA guidelines and a scale for study quality assessment. DATA ANALYSIS: A total of 49 studies were retrieved from the 2495 originally screened; 26 assessed dietary intake and 23 assessed adherence to particular dietary recommendations. The type of HNFL assessed varied; 27 studies assessed HL, 17 assessed NL, and 5 assessed FL. Seventy-two investigations of the relationship between HNFL and dietary intake and adherence were reported: 42 identified a positive relationship (ie, higher HNFL related to better dietary intake/adherence), 28 did not show a significant relationship, and 2 identified a negative relationship (ie, higher HNFL related to poorer dietary intake/adherence). Studies involving HL showed the most positive relationships to dietary behavior, especially when using more comprehensive tools. Many studies received low quality assessment scores due to psychometric weaknesses in their HNFL tools. CONCLUSION: Although the relationship between HNFL and dietary behavior and adherence remains unconfirmed, patterns in the findings suggest that increased HL, especially if assessed with robust tools, is more likely to demonstrate positive associations with positive changes in dietary behavior. Future nutrition intervention studies should carefully select HNFL tools that are robust and appropriate for their research question. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024556816.

  PublisherDOI

• A roadmap for modeling institutional and values-based procurement decisions in food supply chains

  Agricultural and Resource Economics Review · 2025-04-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Public food procurement incentives and targeted policies by state and Federal governments are one of the most frequently enacted strategies to leverage food spending to promote co-benefits related to economic, environmental, and social outcomes. Here we use an optimization model to explore potential outcomes of policy alternatives and integrate co-benefit dimensions into schools' agri-food supply chains via Farm to School procurement incentives. We find that in the absence of policy supports, school food authorities are unlikely to participate in local food procurement programs. We then place the findings in context by inferring the level of financial incentives that are needed to reduce barriers to schools' participation. Our findings have implications for community and economic development policies, particularly those seeking to support agriculturally dependent areas via elevated institutional food procurement using the case of policies framed for a school setting.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Path Analysis Examination of Factors Affecting Early Childhood Educators’ Health: Identifying Avenues for Improvement

  Current Developments in Nutrition · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prioritizing Early Childhood Educators Health: Insights for Worksite Health Promotion Efforts

  Childhood Obesity · 2025-02-20 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background: Early childhood education (ECE) educators play an instrumental role in children’s health and development but unfortunately have poor health themselves. This project examined the physical and psychological health of New York licensed ECE educators. Methods: A sequential, explanatory mixed methods design (quan→QUAL) consisted of a 110-item survey and semi-structured interviews to examine physical (diet, physical activity [PA], sleep, and body mass index [BMI]) and psychological health (stress and burnout). Quantitatively, multiple linear regressions tested associations between physical and psychological health, controlling for age and income, using R (v4.3.2, 2023); α < 0.05. Qualitatively, content analysis with pattern recognition for pragmatic synthesis was performed. Results: Survey respondents ( n = 1423) and interview participants ( n = 36) worked in a variety of ECE settings; 74% had overweight/obesity and 24% deemed themselves “unhealthy.” Many had poor health behaviors—low diet quality (74%), limited regular PA (28%), poor sleep quality (34%), and moderate/high stress levels (74%). Most desired changes to health behaviors but were challenged due to work environments and job demands. Work-based factors impacted both their physical and mental health and influenced their personal life. Burnout and stress were high, and feelings of underappreciation were prevalent. Higher burnout (emotional exhaustion) was significantly associated with higher BMI (β = 0.18, p < 0.01) and stress (β = 1.09, p < 0.01) and lower PA (β = 2.62, p < 0.01) and sleep (β = 0.94, p < 0.01). Conclusion: ECE educators are experiencing high stress/burnout, have poor health behaviors, and have high prevalence of obesity. Workplace health promotion efforts are needed to improve educators’ health and potentially that of the children in their care.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Sociodemographic disparities in health literacy among American adults: A national survey study

  Preventive Medicine Reports · 2025-07-16 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  Health literacy is associated with various health behaviors and outcomes. The recent distribution of health literacy across different sociodemographic groups in the U.S. is unknown. This study aims to investigate sociodemographic differences in health literacy among U.S. adults using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) assessment. We conducted an online survey in 2022 using CloudResearch, involving 2829 participants. This survey included the NVS to measure health literacy and information on sociodemographic factors. Over 60 % of participants demonstrated inadequate (low to moderate) health literacy. Significant associations between health literacy and gender ( p < .01), age ( p < .01), ethnicity ( p = .02), race ( p < .01), education level ( p < .01), residential region ( p < .01), and household income ( p = .04) were found. Males, Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino individuals, those with lower income, and those residing in the Northeast, South, and West regions exhibited lower health literacy compared to their counterparts. Additionally, a positive correlation between age and health literacy was observed, with the highest health literacy level among adults aged 65 and older. Education level showed a non-linear relationship with health literacy, peaking among those with job-specific training post-high school. The study highlights sociodemographic disparities in health literacy. Targeted interventions and policies are needed to address these gaps, improve health outcomes, and reduce economic burdens associated with low health literacy. Future research should consider additional factors, such as digital literacy and language barriers, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of health literacy. • Over 60 % of U.S. adults demonstrated inadequate health literacy in this study. • Health literacy varies significantly by gender, age, ethnicity, race, and income. • Older adults (65+) showed the highest health literacy among all age groups. • Education level and regional differences influence health literacy disparities. • Targeted interventions are needed to address health literacy gaps and disparities.

  PublisherDOI

• The KnowHow Program: A mHealth Intervention for Parents of Preschoolers in Rural, Low-Income Communities

  Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · 2025-08-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Understanding parents’ digital use and preferences for an mHealth intervention in low-income, rural settings

  Health Education Research · 2025-06-26 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  Mobile device use has become ubiquitous with daily life, thus providing opportunities to reach parents to promote healthy eating and physical activity in children. Using a socioecological framework and user-centred design approach, the objective of this study was to understand the context in which parents use their devices and their preferences for a digital programme. The formative research phase of the electronic healthy environments (eHEROs) study used a multiple-methods design, consisting of a quantitative survey (n = 116) and a semi-structured qualitative interview (n = 16). Individual- (i.e. digital literacy) and environment-level (i.e. home internet connection) factors were associated with likelihood to participate and preferences for intervention format. Participants outlined key preferences for mobile app content, including modality (audio and video with text), flow (access), and duration (5-15-min lessons). Motivation for participation related to the relevance of the content, feelings of accomplishment, and creative and engaging packaging. Lastly, participants desired opportunities to build community and connect with other parents, preferably through group meetings. Identifying and incorporating the population's preferences and requirements into the digital design are needed to optimize adoption, engagement, and retention of intervention use.

  PublisherDOI

• Digitizing Assessment Tools to Collect Feeding, Diet, and Activity Behaviors of Preschoolers on a Mobile App for Parents

  Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · 2025-08-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Mobile apps designed for preschoolers produce comparable physical activity outcomes to traditional physical education activities

  mHealth · 2025-07-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background: Globally, preschoolers' physical activity (PA) levels are lower than recommended. Digital interventions involving child-centered approaches hold promise for increasing PA behaviors. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the acute effects of 3 custom mobile apps, Foods & Moves, on preschooler's PA outcomes in comparison with traditional physical education (PE) activities as part of the HEalthy EnviROnments (HEROs) Study. Methods: =4.3±0.5 years; 42% Hispanic) participated in a 6-week parent-child intervention aimed at enhancing healthy eating and PA behaviors. Children's PA outcomes, including percentage of time spent in moderate PA (MPA%), vigorous PA (VPA%), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA%), and cadence (steps/minute), were collected by ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometers on each of the 3 apps (Jungle Gym, Jungle Gym-2, Spin-n-Move) and 2 traditional PE activities (obstacle course and PA skill building) during weekly workshops. Results: =0.35]. Pairwise comparisons indicated that VPA% for PA skill building, Jungle Gym, and Jungle Gym-2 was higher than the obstacle course (all P<0.001). MVPA% and cadence in PA skill building, Jungle Gym, Jungle Gym-2, and Spin-n-Move were higher compared to the obstacle course (all P<0.001). Conclusions: The Foods & Moves apps prompted a considerable proportion of high-intensity PA, which is comparable to or higher than traditional PE activities, demonstrating the potential to use digital strategies to promote PA in preschoolers.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Susan L. Johnson

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  137 shared

• Morgan McCloskey

  Colorado State University

  50 shared

• Mackenzie J. Ferrante

  University at Buffalo, State University of New York

  49 shared

• Barbara Chamberlin

  36 shared

• Darcy A. Thompson

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  35 shared

• Richard E. Boles

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  35 shared

• Lauren Clark

  University of California, Los Angeles

  33 shared

• John E. Hayes

  Pennsylvania State University

  30 shared

Labs

• Health Behaviors LabPI

Education

• Ph.D.

  Cornell University

• M.S.

  Colorado State University

• B.S.

  Colorado State University

Awards & honors

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers…
• Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior’s Mid-Career Awa…