ABOUT THE RESEARCHER
BACKGROUND
S. Bryn Austin's primary research is in the behavioral sciences and social epidemiology, addressing social and physical environmental influences on physical activity, nutritional patterns, and eating disorders risk in school and community settings. In addition, her research interests include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescent health. The principal goals of her research are to: Identify the critical factors in the social and physical school and community environments affecting adolescent nutrition, physical activity and eating disorders. Design and evaluate school- and community-based preventive interventions to reduce risk of disordered weight control behaviors. Examine sexual orientation group disparities in health in adolescence and identify determinants with the goal of eliminating these disparities.
INTERESTS
S. Bryn Austin is an award-winning researcher, teacher, and mentor. She is Director of Fellowship Research Training in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston and Director of the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders: A Public Health Incubator at the Harvard School of Public Health and Children’s Hospital Boston: www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped.
PUBLICATIONS
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- Impact of the Affordable Care Act on human papillomavirus vaccination initiation among lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual U.S. women. Health Serv Res. 2020 02; 55(1):18-25. View abstract
- MATERNAL EXPERIENCE OF ABUSE IN CHILDHOOD AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENT AND ADULT OFFSPRING: A 21-YEAR LONGITUDINAL STUDY. Depress Anxiety. 2015 Oct; 32(10):709-19. View abstract
- Identifying sources of children's consumption of junk food in Boston after-school programs, April-May 2011. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014 Nov 20; 11:E205. View abstract
- Child maltreatment and blood pressure in young adulthood. Child Abuse Negl. 2014 Nov; 38(11):1747-54. View abstract
- Early and late menarche and risk of depressive symptoms in young adulthood. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2014 Dec; 17(6):511-8. View abstract
- The cost-effectiveness of school-based eating disorder screening. Am J Public Health. 2014 Sep; 104(9):1774-82. View abstract
- Using a two-step method to measure transgender identity in Latin America/the Caribbean, Portugal, and Spain. Arch Sex Behav. 2014 Nov; 43(8):1503-14. View abstract
- At the intersection of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and cervical cancer screening: assessing Pap test use disparities by sex of sexual partners among black, Latina, and white U.S. women. Soc Sci Med. 2014 Sep; 116:110-8. View abstract
- Application of the Rosner-Wei risk-prediction model to estimate sexual orientation patterns in colon cancer risk in a prospective cohort of US women. Cancer Causes Control. 2014 Aug; 25(8):999-1006. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in BMI among U.S. adolescents and young adults in three race/ethnicity groups. J Obes. 2014; 2014:537242. View abstract
- Masculine boys, feminine girls, and cancer risk behaviors: an 11-year longitudinal study. J Adolesc Health. 2014 Sep; 55(3):373-9. View abstract
- Women's experience of abuse in childhood and their children's smoking and overweight. Am J Prev Med. 2014 Mar; 46(3):249-58. View abstract
- Physical activity disparities in heterosexual and sexual minority youth ages 12-22 years old: roles of childhood gender nonconformity and athletic self-esteem. Ann Behav Med. 2014 Feb; 47(1):17-27. View abstract
- Gender differences in high school coaches' knowledge, attitudes, and communication about the female athlete triad. Eat Disord. 2014; 22(3):193-208. View abstract
- Team-level approaches to addressing disordered eating: a qualitative study of two female collegiate cross country running teams. Eat Disord. 2014; 22(2):136-51. View abstract
- Child abuse as a predictor of gendered sexual orientation disparities in body mass index trajectories among U.S. youth from the Growing Up Today Study. J Adolesc Health. 2014 Jun; 54(6):730-8. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in Papanicolaou test use among US women: the role of sexual and reproductive health services. Am J Public Health. 2014 Feb; 104(2):e68-73. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in cancer-related risk behaviors of tobacco, alcohol, sexual behaviors, and diet and physical activity: pooled Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Am J Public Health. 2014 Feb; 104(2):245-54. View abstract
- Spatial distribution of cosmetic-procedure businesses in two U.S. cities: a pilot mapping and validation study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013 Dec 06; 10(12):6832-62. View abstract
- Weight misperception and unhealthy weight control behaviors among sexual minorities in the general adolescent population. J Adolesc Health. 2014 Mar; 54(3):296-303. View abstract
- Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system. J Eat Disord. 2013; 1:40. View abstract
- Middle school food environments and racial/ethnic differences in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: findings from the Healthy Choices study. Prev Med. 2013 Nov; 57(5):735-8. View abstract
- Gender-equitable attitudes, bystander behavior, and recent abuse perpetration against heterosexual dating partners of male high school athletes. Am J Public Health. 2013 Oct; 103(10):1882-7. View abstract
- Associations of breastfeeding with bulimic behaviors and eating disorders among adolescents. Int J Eat Disord. 2013 Dec; 46(8):834-40. View abstract
- Abuse victimization in childhood or adolescence and risk of food addiction in adult women. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013 Dec; 21(12):E775-81. View abstract
- Family physical activity and meal practices associated with disordered weight control behaviors in a multiethnic sample of middle-school youth. Acad Pediatr. 2013 Jul-Aug; 13(4):379-85. View abstract
- Closing the "know-do" gap: training public health professionals in eating disorders prevention via case-method teaching. Int J Eat Disord. 2013 Jul; 46(5):533-7. View abstract
- Sexual orientation differences in teen pregnancy and hormonal contraceptive use: an examination across 2 generations. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Sep; 209(3):204.e1-8. View abstract
- Influence of hormonal contraceptive use and health beliefs on sexual orientation disparities in Papanicolaou test use. Am J Public Health. 2014 Feb; 104(2):319-25. View abstract
- School lunch waste among middle school students: nutrients consumed and costs. Am J Prev Med. 2013 Feb; 44(2):114-21. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and functional pain in U.S. young adults: the mediating role of childhood abuse. PLoS One. 2013; 8(1):e54702. View abstract
- The contribution of school environmental factors to individual and school variation in disordered weight control behaviors in a statewide sample of middle schools. Eat Disord. 2013; 21(2):91-108. View abstract
- Development of muscularity and weight concerns in heterosexual and sexual minority males. Health Psychol. 2013 Jan; 32(1):42-51. View abstract
- Childhood gender nonconformity, bullying victimization, and depressive symptoms across adolescence and early adulthood: an 11-year longitudinal study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Feb; 52(2):143-52. View abstract
- Eating disorder symptoms and obesity at the intersections of gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation in US high school students. Am J Public Health. 2013 Feb; 103(2):e16-22. View abstract
- Over-the-counter and out-of-control: legal strategies to protect youths from abusing products for weight control. Am J Public Health. 2013 Feb; 103(2):220-5. View abstract
- A public health approach to eating disorders prevention: it's time for public health professionals to take a seat at the table. BMC Public Health. 2012 Oct 09; 12:854. View abstract
- Application of the Rosner-Colditz risk prediction model to estimate sexual orientation group disparities in breast cancer risk in a U.S. cohort of premenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012 Dec; 21(12):2201-8. View abstract
- Elevated risk of posttraumatic stress in sexual minority youths: mediation by childhood abuse and gender nonconformity. Am J Public Health. 2012 Aug; 102(8):1587-93. View abstract
- An examination of sexual orientation group patterns in mammographic and colorectal screening in a cohort of U.S. women. Cancer Causes Control. 2013 Mar; 24(3):539-47. View abstract
- Sexual-orientation disparities in cigarette smoking in a longitudinal cohort study of adolescents. Nicotine Tob Res. 2013 Jan; 15(1):213-22. View abstract
- Body satisfaction, weight gain and binge eating among overweight adolescent girls. Int J Obes (Lond). 2012 Jul; 36(7):944-9. View abstract
- Posttraumatic stress disorder across two generations: concordance and mechanisms in a population-based sample. Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Sep 15; 72(6):505-11. View abstract
- The development of associations among body mass index, body dissatisfaction, and weight and shape concern in adolescent boys and girls. J Adolesc Health. 2012 Nov; 51(5):517-23. View abstract
- Long-term impact of a chef on school lunch consumption: findings from a 2-year pilot study in Boston middle schools. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 Jun; 112(6):927-33. View abstract
- Adult body mass index trajectories and sexual orientation: the Nurses' Health Study II. Am J Prev Med. 2012 Apr; 42(4):348-54. View abstract
- Childhood gender nonconformity: a risk indicator for childhood abuse and posttraumatic stress in youth. Pediatrics. 2012 Mar; 129(3):410-7. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and bias in self-reported BMI. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2012 Aug; 20(8):1703-9. View abstract
- Effect of the planet health intervention on eating disorder symptoms in Massachusetts middle schools, 2005-2008. Prev Chronic Dis. 2012; 9:E171; quiz E171. View abstract
- A prospective study of overeating, binge eating, and depressive symptoms among adolescent and young adult women. J Adolesc Health. 2012 May; 50(5):478-83. View abstract
- High burden of homelessness among sexual-minority adolescents: findings from a representative Massachusetts high school sample. Am J Public Health. 2011 Sep; 101(9):1683-9. View abstract
- The association of body mass index and externally perceived attractiveness across race/ethnicity, gender, and time. J Adolesc Health. 2012 Jan; 50(1):74-79.e2. View abstract
- Reproductive health screening disparities and sexual orientation in a cohort study of U.S. adolescent and young adult females. J Adolesc Health. 2011 Nov; 49(5):505-10. View abstract
- The blind spot in the drive for childhood obesity prevention: bringing eating disorders prevention into focus as a public health priority. Am J Public Health. 2011 Jun; 101(6):e1-4. View abstract
- Growing up in a domestic violence environment: relationship with developmental trajectories of body mass index during adolescence into young adulthood. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2012 Jul; 66(7):629-35. View abstract
- Stability and change in self-reported sexual orientation identity in young people: application of mobility metrics. Arch Sex Behav. 2011 Jun; 40(3):519-32. View abstract
- Disordered weight control behaviors in early adolescent boys and girls of color: an under-recognized factor in the epidemic of childhood overweight. J Adolesc Health. 2011 Jan; 48(1):109-12. View abstract
- The mediating effect of childhood abuse in sexual orientation disparities in tobacco and alcohol use during adolescence: results from the Nurses' Health Study II. Cancer Causes Control. 2010 Nov; 21(11):1817-28. View abstract
- Pervasive trauma exposure among US sexual orientation minority adults and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. Am J Public Health. 2010 Dec; 100(12):2433-41. View abstract
- Examination of shared risk and protective factors for overweight and disordered eating among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010 Apr; 164(4):336-43. View abstract
- Improving adolescent and young adult health - training the next generation of physician scientists in transdisciplinary research. J Adolesc Health. 2010 Feb; 46(2):100-9. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and drug use in a longitudinal cohort study of U.S. adolescents. Addict Behav. 2010 May; 35(5):517-21. View abstract
- Family dinner and disordered eating behaviors in a large cohort of adolescents. Eat Disord. 2010 Jan-Feb; 18(1):10-24. View abstract
- Sexual risk in "mostly heterosexual" young women: influence of social support and caregiver mental health. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Dec; 18(12):2005-10. View abstract
- A comparison of weight-related behaviors among high school students who are homeless and non-homeless. J Sch Health. 2009 Oct; 79(10):466-73. View abstract
- Body satisfaction and body weight: gender differences and sociodemographic determinants. BMC Public Health. 2009 Aug 27; 9:313. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in purging and binge eating from early to late adolescence. J Adolesc Health. 2009 Sep; 45(3):238-45. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in weight status in adolescence: findings from a prospective study. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009 Sep; 17(9):1776-82. View abstract
- Sexual orientation disparities in longitudinal alcohol use patterns among adolescents: findings from the Growing Up Today Study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008 Nov; 162(11):1071-8. View abstract
- Health and nutrient content claims in food advertisements on Hispanic and mainstream prime-time television. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2008 Nov-Dec; 40(6):348-54. View abstract
- Screening high school students for eating disorders: results of a national initiative. Prev Chronic Dis. 2008 Oct; 5(4):A114. View abstract
- Disparities in child abuse victimization in lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women in the Nurses' Health Study II. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2008 May; 17(4):597-606. View abstract
- Child abuse and smoking among young women: the importance of severity, accumulation, and timing. J Adolesc Health. 2008 Jul; 43(1):55-63. View abstract
- Irregular menses linked to vomiting in a nonclinical sample: findings from the National Eating Disorders Screening Program in high schools. J Adolesc Health. 2008 May; 42(5):450-7. View abstract
- "Everyone has a right to, like, check their box:" findings on a measure of gender identity from a cognitive testing study with adolescents. J LGBT Health Res. 2008; 4(1):1-9. View abstract
- Predictors of initiation of alcohol use among US adolescents: findings from a prospective cohort study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Oct; 161(10):959-66. View abstract
- Sexual violence victimization history and sexual risk indicators in a community-based urban cohort of "mostly heterosexual" and heterosexual young women. Am J Public Health. 2008 Jun; 98(6):1015-20. View abstract
- School-based overweight preventive intervention lowers incidence of disordered weight-control behaviors in early adolescent girls. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Sep; 161(9):865-9. View abstract
- Can media promote responsible sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2007 Aug; 19(4):405-10. View abstract
- Race and gender differences in the association of dieting and gains in BMI among young adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007 Feb; 15(2):456-64. View abstract
- Making sense of sexual orientation measures: findings from a cognitive processing study with adolescents on health survey questions. J LGBT Health Res. 2007; 3(1):55-65. View abstract
- Sexual orientation, gender, and alcohol use in a cohort study of U.S. adolescent girls and boys. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Mar 16; 87(2-3):119-30. View abstract
- Swimming upstream: faculty and staff members from urban middle schools in low-income communities describe their experience implementing nutrition and physical activity initiatives. Prev Chronic Dis. 2006 Apr; 3(2):A37. View abstract
- Facilitating change in school health: a qualitative study of schools' experiences using the School Health Index. Prev Chronic Dis. 2006 Apr; 3(2):A35. View abstract
- Disclosure of sexual orientation and behavior in the Nurses' Health Study II: results from a pilot study. J Homosex. 2006; 51(1):13-31. View abstract
- “Mostly heterosexual” and heterosexual young adult females: comparisons of sexual violence victimization history and sexual risk behaviors in a community-based urban cohort. J Adolesc Health. 2006; 38(2):121. View abstract
- Respond (letter to editor). Am J Public Health. 2006; 96:205-206. View abstract
- Weight concerns and weight control behaviors of adolescents and their mothers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005 Dec; 159(12):1121-6. View abstract
- Parental acceptance of the human papillomavirus vaccine. J Adolesc Health. 2005 Sep; 37(3):248-51. View abstract
- Clustering of fast-food restaurants around schools: a novel application of spatial statistics to the study of food environments. Am J Public Health. 2005 Sep; 95(9):1575-81. View abstract
- Exposure to the mass media, body shape concerns, and use of supplements to improve weight and shape among male and female adolescents. Pediatrics. 2005 Aug; 116(2):e214-20. View abstract
- Influence of bone density results on adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2005 Apr; 37(3):250-5. View abstract
- The impact of a school-based obesity prevention trial on disordered weight-control behaviors in early adolescent girls. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005 Mar; 159(3):225-30. View abstract
- Follow-up evaluation of a high school eating disorders screening program: knowledge, awareness and self-referral. J Adolesc Health. 2005 Mar; 36(3):208-13. View abstract
- Overweight status of adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome: body mass index as mediator of quality of life. Ambul Pediatr. 2005 Mar-Apr; 5(2):107-11. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and risk of bulimic behaviors: results of a prospective study with adolescent girls. Eating Disorders Research Society, Toronto Canada. 2005. View abstract
- Overweight prevention: adolescents’ suggestions for health care providers. J Adolesc Health. 2005; 36(2):151. View abstract
- Sexual orientation, health risk factors, and physical functioning in the Nurses' Health Study II. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2004 Nov; 13(9):1033-47. View abstract
- Young adults in Massachusetts: who is at risk of being uninsured? J Adolesc Health. 2004 Nov; 35(5):425.e19-27. View abstract
- Development of a scale to measure adolescents' beliefs and attitudes about postponing sexual initiation. J Adolesc Health. 2004 Nov; 35(5):425.e1-10. View abstract
- Snack food intake does not predict weight change among children and adolescents. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Oct; 28(10):1210-6. View abstract
- Sexual orientation, weight concerns, and eating-disordered behaviors in adolescent girls and boys. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004 Sep; 43(9):1115-23. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and tobacco use in a cohort study of US adolescent girls and boys. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004 Apr; 158(4):317-22. View abstract
- "How can we stay healthy when you're throwing all of this in front of us?" Findings from focus groups and interviews in middle schools on environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity. Health Educ Behav. 2004 Feb; 31(1):34-46. View abstract
- A prospective cohort study of sexual orientation and bulimic behaviors in adolescent girls. Int J Eat Disord. 2004; 35(4):393. View abstract
- Measures of sexual orientation in epidemiologic surveys: findings from a cognitive processing study with adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2004; 34(2):113-114. View abstract
- Relation between dieting and weight change among preadolescents and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2003 Oct; 112(4):900-6. View abstract
- Which psychiatric patients board on the medical service? Pediatrics. 2003 Jun; 111(6 Pt 1):e693-8. View abstract
- Fertility concerns and sexual behavior in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for quality of life. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2003 Feb; 16(1):33-7. View abstract
- Constructing the need for “low fat” food. In: Loseke DR, Best J, eds. Social problems: constructionist readings. 2003; 180-187. View abstract
- Strategic plan for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in New England. 2003. View abstract
- Sexual orientation and overweight: a cohort study of U.S. adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2003; 32(2):120. View abstract
- Dating violence among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: results from a community survey. J Adolesc Health. 2002 Dec; 31(6):469-74. View abstract
- Smoking, getting drunk, and engaging in bulimic behaviors: in which order are the behaviors adopted? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2002 Jul; 41(7):846-53. View abstract
- Quality of life in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002 Jun; 156(6):556-60. View abstract
- Consumerism: its impact on the health of adolescents. Adolesc Med. 2001 Oct; 12(3):389-409. View abstract
- U.S. federally funded television public service announcements (PSAs) to prevent HIV/AIDS: a content analysis. J Health Commun. 2001 Jul-Sep; 6(3):249-63. View abstract
- Dieting and smoking initiation in early adolescent girls and boys: a prospective study. Am J Public Health. 2001 Mar; 91(3):446-50. View abstract
- Population-based prevention of eating disorders: an application of the Rose prevention model. Prev Med. 2001 Mar; 32(3):268-83. View abstract
- Consumerism: its impact on the health of adolescents. In: Brown R, Alderman E, eds. Adolesc Med: State of the Art Reviews; Adolescents, Families, and Society in the New Millennium. 2001; 12(3):389-409. View abstract
- Healthy People 2010 companion document for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health. 2001. View abstract
- Prevention research in eating disorders: theory and new directions. Psychol Med. 2000 Nov; 30(6):1249-62. View abstract
- Fat, loathing and public health: the complicity of science in a culture of disordered eating. Cult Med Psychiatry. 1999 Jun; 23(2):245-68. View abstract
- Commodity knowledge in consumer culture: the role of nutritional health promotion in the making of the diet industry. In: Sobal J, Maurer D, eds. Weighty issues: constructing fatness and thinness as social problems. 1999; 159-181. View abstract
- Breast health compendium. 1999. View abstract
- “Invisible.” 30-second radio public service announcement in collaboration with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Health Access Project. 1999. View abstract
- Dieting in adolescents: smoking, disordered eating, and strategies for prevention. 1999. View abstract
- Binge drinking: the five/four measure. J Stud Alcohol. 1998 Jan; 59(1):122-4. View abstract
- Choosing the right evaluation tool: a review of data collection instruments for evaluating alcohol and other drug prevention in higher education. 1998. View abstract
- A college case study: a supplement to understanding evaluation: the way to better prevention programs. 1997. View abstract
- Secondary effects of binge drinking on college campuses. 1996. View abstract
- Setting up a needle exchange: questions to consider, choices to be made. 1995. View abstract
- “You Are Not Alone.” 30-second radio public service announcement in collaboration with McLean Hospital. 1995. View abstract
- Drinking buddies: the New York Times' hidden alcohol-industry sources. Extra! The Magazine of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. 1995. View abstract
- Gay rights, citizenship and the American body. A Contemporary Notion of Citizenship: Race, Class, and Gender in American Life conference publication. W.E.B. Du Bois Graduate Society, Harvard University. 1995. View abstract
- Perspective on gays in the military: don’t compromise, don’t capitulate. The Los Angeles Times. 1993. View abstract
- A freak among freaks: the 'zine scene. In: Stein A, ed. Sisters, sexperts, and queers: beyond the lesbian nation. 1993. View abstract
- Pat Califia (1954 - ). In: Pollack S, Knight DD, eds. Contemporary lesbian writers of the United States: a bio-bibliographical critical sourcebook. 1993. View abstract
- Commentary on Supreme Court nomination hearings. The Advocate. 1991. View abstract
- AIDS and Africa: United States media and racist fantasy. Cultural Critique. 1990; 14:129-152. View abstract