Sara C. Folta

Biography 

Dr. Sara C. Folta is an Associate Professor, and the Dean for Faculty Affairs at the Friedman School whose work centers on public health nutrition and the development of community‑based interventions that improve dietary intake, physical activity, and overall health across the lifespan. Drawing on expertise in behavioral psychology, communications, and qualitative methods, she leads research on behavior change strategies to improve heart health among women, support healthy aging through physical activity interventions, and prevent childhood obesity through multi‑level community initiatives. 

Education

• Ph.D., 2005, Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
• M.S., 1995, Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Vermont
• B.A., 1988, Biology, Middlebury College

Specializations

Community Interventions and Behavior Change; Nutrition Communication; Nutrition Equity

Research Activities

A major line of Folta's research involves community-based interventions to improve heart health among women. A second area of research includes food choice among consumers with low incomes. She also conducts research on the implementation of Food is Medicine programs. Her studies, in which theory-based communications strategies were a major component, are notable for the use of the eco-social model in which multiple levels (individual-organization-community-policy) are considered.