Dr. Molly Greaney

  • Professor, Department Chair
  • Public Health
  • Phone: 401.874.7499
  • Email: mgreaney@uri.edu
  • Office Location: Independence Square, Ste P, Rm 222

Research

I am a public health researcher, and my research program is focused toward the ultimate goal of improving health and quality of life. To this end, my research agenda is focused on

1) understanding personal, social, and environmental factors that influence physical activity and other healthful behaviors, and

2) identifying sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors associated with intervention engagement.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Rhode Island
  • Ph.D., University of South Carolina
  • M.P.H., University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
  • A.B., Mount Holyoke College

Selected Publications

(from over 100)

Greaney, M. L., Kunicki, Z. J., Cohen, S. A., Ward-Ritacco, C. L., & Riebe, D. (2021). Self-reported changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and screen time among informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health,21(1), 1292. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11294-7.

Greaney, M. L., Cohen, S. A., Xu, F., Ward-Ritacco, C. L., & Riebe, D. (2020). Healthcare provider counseling for weight management behaviors among adults with overweight or obesity: A cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2018. BMJ Open, 10(11), e039295.

Lindsay, A. C., Le, W., Nogueria, D. L., Tavares Machado, M. M., & Greaney, M. L. (2020). Healthcare providers’ advice on gestational weight gain, diet, and exercise: A cross-sectional study with Brazilian immigrant women in the United States. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-020-00926-0.

Greaney, M. L., Cohen, S. A., Earp, J. A., Blissmer, B. J., & Xu, F. (2019). Age-specific trends in health-related quality of life among US adults: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2016. Quality of Life Research, 28(12), 3249-3257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-019-02280-z.

Greaney, M. L., Cohen, S. A., Ward-Ritacco, C. L., & Riebe, D. (2019). Rural-urban variation in weight loss recommendations among US older adults with arthritis and obesity. IJERPH, 16(6), E946. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060946.

Lindsay, A. C., Arruda, C. A. M., Machado, M. M. T., De Andrade, G. P., & Greaney, M. L. (2019). Parenting practices that may encourage and discourage physical activity in preschool-age children of Brazilian immigrant families: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 20, 14(3):e0214143.

Greaney, M. L., Puleo, E., Sprunck-Harrild, K., Haines, J., Houghton, S., & Emmons, K. M. (2018). Social support for changing multiple behaviors: Factors associated with seeking support and the impact of offered support. Health Education and Behavior, 4, 45(2):198-206. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117712333

Cohen, S. A., Greaney, M. L., & Sabik, N. J. (2018). Assessment of dietary patterns, physical activity and obesity from a national survey: Rural-urban health disparities in older adults. PLoS One, 13(12), e0208268. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208268

Greaney, M. L., Askew, S., Foley, P. B., Wallington, S. F., & Bennett, G. G. (2017). Linking patients with community resources: Use of a free YMCA membership among low-income Black women. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 7(2), 341-348. DOI: 10.1007/s13142-016-0431-7

Greaney, M. L., Askew, S., Wallington, S. F., Foley, P., Quintiliani, L. M., & Bennett, G. G. (2017).The effect of a weight gain prevention intervention on moderate-vigorous physical activity among Black women: The Shape Program. IJBNPA, 16, 14(1):139. DOI:10.1186/s12966-017-0596-6