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Retta Evans

Contributing Faculty

College of Health Professions

School of Health Sciences

Degree Program M.S. Health Education and Promotion

Dr Retta Evans has a background in health and physical activity, with specific training in health behavior, exercise science and nutrition. She has worked with K-12 schools to implement healthier policies and practices. Dr Evans has assisted in the development of state policies outlining improvements in nutrition in schools and for comprehensive school physical activity plans. Her research and resulting presentations and publications have focused primarily on youth and young adults focusing on nutrition and physical activity. Dr Evans has published widely on topics related to youth health, body image of adult exercisers as well as grant writing initiatives focusing on obesity, physical activity and nutrition patterns among adolescents and young adults.

Courses Taught

HLTH 6245 - Applied Research in Public Health

HLTH 6800 - Health Education and Promotion Capstone

HLTH 6110 - Exploring Health Education in the 21st Century

Education

BS, Fort Hays State University

MS, Northeastern State University

PhD, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR United States

Awards / Honors

Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship, 2008

Deans Award for Excellence in Mentorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2017

Health Education Professional of the Year, American Association for Health Education, 2009

Health Educator of the Year, Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance , 2008

Honor Award, Alabama Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, 2016

President, Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance , 2011

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009

University Health Educator of the Year, Southern District Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, 2009

Publications

Geiger, B., O'Neal, M., Smith, K., Evans, R. R., Jackson, J. (2010). A Collaborative Project to Enhance Access to Health Information and Services for Individuals with Disabilities. Journal of Health Communication.

Toth, S., Evans, R., Oneal, M., Highfill, M. (2018). Addressing School District Readiness for Elementary Health Education Using the Transtheoretical Model. Journal of Health Education Teaching.

Toth, S., Oneal, M., Evans, R. (2018). Assessing Elementary Health Education: Instrument Development for School District Readiness and Delivery. American Journal of Health Education.

Grimes Roberson, C., Evans, R. (2008). Benefits and Barriers to Medically Supervised Pediatric Weight Management Programs. Journal of Child Health Care.

Wingo, B., Ard, J., Desmond, R., Evans, R. (2013). Body Mass Index and Chronic Health Conditions as Predictors of Exercise Fear-Avoidance Beliefs. Journal of Research in Obesity.

Evans, R. R., Horton, J., Ahmad, W., Davies, S., Macrina, D., Snyder, S. (2013). Comparison of Breast Health Teaching Methods for Adolescent Females: Results of a Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Health Education Teaching.

Wingo, B., Baskin, M., Ard, J., Evans, R. R., Roy, J., Vogtle, L., Grimley, D., Snyder, S. (2013). Component Analysis and Initial Validity of the Exercise Fear Avoidance Scale. American Journal of Health Behavior.

Evans, R., Burnett, D., Kendrick, O., Macrina, D., Snyder, S., Roy, J., Stephens, B. (2009). Developing Valid and Reliable Online Survey Instruments Using Commercial Software Programs. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet.

Thind, H., Davies, S. L., Lewis, T., Pekmezi, D., Evans, R. (2014). Does short sleep lead to obesity among children and adolescents: Current understanding and implications. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Evans, R., Roy, J., Gieger, B., Werner, K., Burnett, D. (2008). Ecological Strategies to Promote Healthy Body Image Among Children. Journal of School Health.

Skelton, K., Evans, R., LaChenaye, J., Amsbary, J., Wingate, M., Talbott, L. (2018). Exploring Social Media Group Use Among Breastfeeding Mothers: A Qualitative Analysis. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting.

Wingo, B., Evans, R., Ard, J., Grimley, D. (2011). Fear of Physical Response to Exercise Among Overweight and Obese Adults.. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health.

Evans, R., Sims, S. K. (2016). Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers: An Integrated Approach.

Evans, R., Burnett, D. (2009). Nutrition and Physical Activity Resources to Promote Health Among Youth. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet.

Evans, R. R., Forbes, L., Tyson, L., Burnett, K. (2013). Preparedness of Schools in Dealing with Mental Health Concerns of Young People. ASAHPERD Journal.

Gieger, B., Sims, S. K., Evans, R., Roy, J. (2009). Responses of Health and Physical Educators to Overweight Children in Alabama. Health Promotion Practice.

Evans, R. (2013). School Nutrition Policy Requirements.

Gieger, B. F., Evans, R., Celliti, M., Hogan Smith, K., Oneal, M., Firsing, S. (2011). The Healthy Web – Access to Online Health Information for Individuals with Disabilities. International Electronic Journal of Health Education.

Skelton, K., Evans, R., LaChenaye, J., Amsbary, J., Wingate, M., Talbott, L. (2018). Utilization of online focus groups to include mothers: A use-case design, reflection, and recommendations. Digital Health.

Presentations

Burnett, D., Evans, R. R., Forbes, L. (2012). Avoidance Coping and Self Harm Behavior in College Students: Connections with Suicide? . ACHA.

Evans, R. R., Horton, J. (2010). Breast Health Knowledge and Beliefs Among Adolescent Females: Interactive Teaching Strategies for Success.. ASHA.

Evans, R. R., Burnett, D. O. (2018). Constructing a Valid and Reliable Survey Instrument Using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Evans, R. R., Burnett, D. O. (2016). Development of an Educational Module to Address Barriers to Weight Management.

Burnett, D., Evans, R. (2014). Evaluating Psychological Factors Related to Food and Weight Concerns.

Evans, R. R., Burnett, D. O. (2012). Exploring the Connections Between Eating Disorders, Obesity and Suicide. . SHAPE America.

Evans, R. R., Burnett, D. O. (2018). Faculty Perspectives on Mentoring Generation Y and Z on the NCHEC Responsibilities of an Entry Level Health Educator.

Evans, R. R., Toth, S. (2017). Health is Elementary: Facilitating Elementary Health Education through School District Policy and Practice.

Evans, R. R., Snyder, S., Mabrey, G. (2018). Identifying Teacher-, Classroom-, and School-Level Predictors of Classroom Movement Integration.

Burnett, D., Mathisen, R., Evans, R. (2014). Should Competitive Foods be Sold in Schools?.

Evans, R. R., Forbes, L. (2011). Mentoring the "Net Generation" of Future Health Education Professionals. ACHA.

Burnett, D., Mathisen, R., Evans, R. R. (2015). Perceptions of college students about college weight gain.

Darrington , J., Evans, R. R., Bolland, J. (2012). Pregnancy Intentions of Adolescents Living in Poverty. ASHA.

Burnett, D., Evans, R. (2013). Stress and Adolescent Weight Gain.

Evans, R. R., Jones, K. (2019). The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Generation Z. SHAPE America.

Evans, R., Burnett, D., Burnett, K. (2014). Why College Students Gain Weight: A Qualitative Investigation. ACHA.

Evans, R., Burnett, D. O. (2019). Why College Students Gain Weight: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Approach. University of Alabama at Birmingham.