Nancy Findholt, PhD, RN

The focus of my research is on prevention of obesity among rural children, with emphasis on environmental influences on children’s physical activity and diets.  I am also interested in rural community participation in health promotion, and my current studies are being conducted as community-based participatory research.  My research methods are primarily qualitative, particularly intensive interviews and focus groups. 

TEACHING

N410:  Population-based Chronic Illness & Health Promotion
N412:  Leadership and Outcomes Management in Nursing

RESEARCH

Current Research

NIH/NINR (Findholt, PI)
R21: A Community-University Partnership to Prevent Obesity in Rural Children
This two-year project utilizes a participatory approach to conduct a multi-method assessment to identify factors within the rural environment that support or hinder physical activity and healthful food choices among children.  The findings will inform the development of a community-based intervention to prevent childhood obesity in a rural setting. 

Northwest Health Foundation (Findholt, PI)
Assessing the Influence of Rural School and Community Environments on the Physical Activity Patterns and Food Choices of Rural Children
The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of rural children regarding environmental factors that influence their physical activity and eating habits. 

Completed Research

Betty Gray Rural Health Development Fund, Oregon Health & Science University (Findholt, PI)
Development of a Community-University Partnership to Prevent Overweight in Rural Children
To develop the infrastructure for a new community-based research coalition and to assess community readiness to engage in childhood obesity prevention in Union County, Oregon.

Northwest Health Foundation (Findholt, PI)
The Influence of Rurality on Community Participation in a Community Health Development Initiative
To describe the influence of rural characteristics (physical, structural, and cultural) on community participation in a community health development initiative. 

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

• Member, OHSU Faculty Senate
• Member, OHSU School of Nursing Research Council
• Member, Evaluation Committee, Commission on Colleges, Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges
• Member, American Public Health Association

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Findholt, N. (2007). Application of the Community Readiness Model for childhood obesity prevention.  Public Health Nursing, 24(6), 565-570.

Findholt, N. (2006).  The culture of rural communities:  An examination of rural nursing concepts at the community level.  In H. J. Lee & C. A. Winters (Eds), Rural nursing: Concepts, theory, and practice (2nd ed., pp.301-310). New York:  Springer.  
           
Fahs, P.S., Findholt, N., & Daniel, S.D.  (2003).  Themes and Issues in Rural Nursing Research.  In M.S. Collins (Ed.), Teaching/Learning Activities for Rural Community-Based Nursing Practice (pp. 156 – 169).  Binghamton, NY:  Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University.

Findholt, N. & Robrecht, L. (2002).  Legal and Ethical Considerations in Research with Sexually Active Adolescents: The Requirement to Report Statutory Rape.  Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 34(5), 259-264.