Dr. Barr-Porter joined the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition in 2019 from West Virginia University. The majority of her research examines (1) bariatric surgery outcomes in the Appalachian region with a specific interest in post-surgical support interventions and (2) community-based participatory research among young adults, focusing on improving healthy living and chronic disease prevention knowledge.
Dr. Barr-Porter has published various peer-reviewed manuscripts in both areas of her research including the implications of co-morbid conditions on weight loss outcomes in bariatric patients as well as the CBPR approach of partnering with college students to design and implement an intervention for their peers.
Dr. Barr-Porter is a registered dietitian, was a previous consulting bariatric dietitian in WV, and is a member of The Obesity Society, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Scholars@UK
Body Mass Index, Sleep, and Food Insecurity Predict Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in College Students
Barr-Porter, M., Sullivan, A. & McNamara, J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 15598276251339613.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Community-Engaged Approach to Improve Food Access and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in a Rural Appalachian Community
Luecking, C. T., Barr-Porter, M., Brewer, D. & Cardarelli, K. M., Feb 2025, In: Nutrients. 17, 3, 431.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Barriers and Facilitators to Online Grocery Shopping Among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participants: A Mixed Method Study
Anderson Steeves, E., Gillespie, R., DeWitt, E., Barr, M., Cox, B., Hudson, T., Haynes-Maslow, L., Trude, A. C. B. & Gustafson, A., 2024, In: Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 63, 5, p. 585-604 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Leveraging Cooperative Extension Services as a population health approach to reduce health disparities
Norman-Burgdolf, H., Barr, M., Lacy, M. E. & Smalls, B. L., Jan 1 2025, In: Journal of Rural Health. 41, 1, e12853.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate
Increased Perceived Confidence in Professional Role Skills among Undergraduate Dietetic Students Following Simulation-Based Learning Experiences
Barr-Porter, M., Combs, E., Batey, L., Brewer, D., Schwartz, A. & Stephenson, T., May 2024, In: Education Sciences. 14, 5, 451.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Food Security and Diet Quality Improvements among At-Risk, Low-Income, Older Adults following a Free Meal Pilot Program
Barr-Porter, M., OoNorasak, K., Stephenson, T., Goodson, R., Bonilla, S. & Alhamdani, A., Mar 2024, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 21, 3, 344.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Community-Based Designed Pilot Cooking and Texting Intervention on Health-Related Quality of Life among College Students
Barr-Porter, M., Sullivan, A., Watras, E., Winn, C. & McNamara, J., Mar 2024, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 21, 3, 293.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Positive Program Evaluation and Health Maintenance among Post-Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients Following a 6-Week Pilot Program
McIntosh, S., Hayes, M. & Barr-Porter, M. L., Feb 2024, In: Obesity Surgery. 34, 2, p. 524-533 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detecting Body Mass Index from a Facial Photograph in Lifestyle Intervention
Barr, M. L., Guo, G., Colby, S. E. & Olfert, M. D., Sep 2018, In: Technologies. 6, 3, 83.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Evaluation of a sustainable student-led initiative on a college campus addressing food waste and food insecurity
Oonorasak, K., Barr, M., Pennell, M., Hinton, J., Garner, J., Kerber, C., Ritter, C., Dixon, L., Rohde, C. & Stephenson, T. J., Sep 22 2022, In: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 11, 4, p. 223-237 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Early life influences on the development of food addiction in college attending young adults
Wattick, R. A., Olfert, M. D., Claydon, E., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R. L., Barr, M. L. & Brode, C., Dec 2023, In: Eating and Weight Disorders. 28, 1, 14.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Diet quality and eating behaviors of college-attending young adults with food addiction
Wattick, R. A., Olfert, M. D., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R. L., Barr, M. L., Claydon, E. & Brode, C., Apr 2023, In: Eating Behaviors. 49, 101710.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Community-Based Participatory Research: Partnering with College Students to Develop a Tailored, Wellness-Focused Intervention for University Campuses
Barr, M. L. & McNamara, J., Dec 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 23, 16331.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
mHealth Approach to Clinics in Rural Settings in Nutrition Counseling
Olfert, M. D., Barr, M. L., Hagedorn, R. L., Long, D. M., Haggerty, T. S., Weimer, M., Golden, J., Maurer, M. A., Cochran, J. D., Hendershot, T., Whanger, S. L., Mason, J. D. & Hodder, S. L., Jan 1 2021, Advances in Clinical Immunology, Medical Microbiology, COVID-19, and Big Data. p. 611-629 19 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Barriers and Facilitators of Online Grocery Services: Perceptions from Rural and Urban Grocery Store Managers
Gillespie, R., DeWitt, E., Trude, A. C. B., Haynes-Maslow, L., Hudson, T., Anderson-Steeves, E., Barr, M. & Gustafson, A., Sep 2022, In: Nutrients. 14, 18, 3794.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
“There’s a Lot of Like, Contradicting Stuff”—Views on Healthy Living during Pregnancy and Postpartum
McNamara, J. A., Mena, N. Z., Wright, A. & Barr, M. L., May 1 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 10, 5849.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Shortening of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Survey Using Factor Analysis.
Famodu, O. A., Barr, M. L., Holásková, I., Zhou, W., Morrell, J. S., Colby, S. E. & Olfert, M. D., Apr 12 2018, In: Sleep Disorders. p. 1-9 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Detecting Body Mass Index from a Facial Photograph in Lifestyle Intervention
Barr, M. L., Guo, G., Colby, S. E. & Olfert, M. D., Sep 2018, In: Technologies. 6, 3Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Exploring perceived importance of a novel emergency food program during covid-19 and program recipient characteristics
Barr, M. L., Oonorasak, K., Hughes, K., Batey, L., Jackson, K., Marshall, H. & Stephenson, T., Oct 1 2021, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18, 20, 10786.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Losses, gains, and changes to the food environment in a rural kentucky county during the COVID-19 pandemic
Barr, M. L., Martin, C., Luecking, C. & Cardarelli, K., Nov 2021, In: Nutrients. 13, 11, 3929.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Education
- Ph.D., Animal and Food Science, West Virginia University
- RDN, University of Arizona
- B.S., Human Nutrition & Foods, West Virginia University
Associated Departments