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Research Overview

Kendrin Sonneville is a behavioral scientist and public health prevention researcher whose research interests include the intersection of eating disorders and obesity and the integrated prevention of weight-related disorders. Dr. Sonneville has used large cohort studies of youth to study the predictors and consequences of binge eating. The principal goals of her research are to better characterize eating behaviors and psychosocial sequelae of severe obesity, to understand the significance of body satisfaction and weight misperception among obese youth, and to identify approaches which will facilitate early identification and increase treatment-seeking among youth with disordered eating behaviors. 

Research Background

Dr. Sonneville is a registered dietitian, Director of Nutrition Training in the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine in Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Co-Director of the PREP multidisciplinary obesity clinic, and Co-Director of the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED) based at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard School of Public health. Dr. Sonneville is a past recipient of the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and received the 2012 Estherann Grace Teaching Award from the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Publications

  1. Parental Weight Stigma Associated with Self-Directed Weight Talk and Use of Health-Related Restrictive Feeding Practices. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2025 Jan 21. View Abstract
  2. Who gets treated for an eating disorder? Implications for inference based on clinical populations. BMC Public Health. 2024 07 02; 24(1):1758. View Abstract
  3. The Food Addiction Clinical Treatment (FACT) Manual: A Harm Reduction Treatment Approach. Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Jul 01; 14(7). View Abstract
  4. Social media use and weight bias internalization: association moderated by age and weight perception. J Eat Disord. 2024 Jun 18; 12(1):84. View Abstract
  5. "Be more positive and more kind to your own bodies": Adolescent and young adult preferences for how parents can support their children with weight-related pressures. Body Image. 2024 Sep; 50:101725. View Abstract
  6. Identifying methods used to manage weight and shape by first year university students: A qualitative analysis. Eat Behav. 2024 Apr; 53:101885. View Abstract
  7. The economic and social costs of body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination in the United States. Eat Disord. 2024 Nov-Dec; 32(6):572-602. View Abstract
  8. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between higher weight and eating disorder risk among collegiate athletes. J Sci Med Sport. 2024 Apr; 27(4):270-275. View Abstract
  9. Competitive Foods' Nutritional Quality and Compliance with Smart Snacks Standards: An Analysis of a National Sample of U.S. Middle and High Schools. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 17; 16(2). View Abstract
  10. Outcome of BMI2+: Motivational Interviewing to Reduce BMI Through Primary Care AAP PROS Practices. Pediatrics. 2024 Jan 01; 153(2). View Abstract
  11. Weight-inclusive, intuitive eating-based workplace wellness program associated with improvements in intuitive eating, eating disorder symptoms, internalized weight stigma, and diet quality. Eat Behav. 2024 Jan; 52:101840. View Abstract
  12. Weight Stigma Associated With Mental Health Concerns Among College Students. Am J Prev Med. 2024 02; 66(2):260-268. View Abstract
  13. At the Same Table: A Delphi Consensus-Based Model of Health-Promoting Eating Behaviors. Nutrients. 2023 Aug 17; 15(16). View Abstract
  14. A new tool to capture dimensions of family dinners in relation to adolescent health and risk-related outcomes: The 'Family Dinner Index'. Prev Med Rep. 2023 Oct; 35:102318. View Abstract
  15. Eating disorder risk in rural US adolescents: What do we know and where do we go? Int J Eat Disord. 2023 02; 56(2):366-371. View Abstract
  16. Weight stigma and physical activity avoidance among college-aged students. J Am Coll Health. 2024 Nov; 72(8):2323-2327. View Abstract
  17. Identifying latent classes of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) consequences in a sample of collegiate female cross country runners. Br J Sports Med. 2023 Feb; 57(3):153-159. View Abstract
  18. Unraveling the meaning of weight misperception in a sample of college students: Unaware or body satisfied? Body Image. 2022 Dec; 43:87-94. View Abstract
  19. Grocery Delivery to Support Healthy Weight Gain Among Pregnant Young Women With Low Income: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Aug 05; 11(8):e40568. View Abstract
  20. Caregiver-reported household food insecurity and child-reported food insecurity in relation to eating disorder risk factors and symptoms among preadolescent children. Int J Eat Disord. 2022 10; 55(10):1331-1341. View Abstract
  21. Adolescent and emerging adult perceptions of eating disorder severity and stigma. Int J Eat Disord. 2022 10; 55(10):1296-1304. View Abstract
  22. Greater social adversity is associated with more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among children from Southeast Michigan. Int J Eat Disord. 2022 12; 55(12):1670-1677. View Abstract
  23. Content analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on weight and shape control behaviors and social media content of U.S. adolescents and young adults. Eat Behav. 2022 04; 45:101635. View Abstract
  24. Racial differences in psychological stress and insulin sensitivity in non-Hispanic Black and White adolescents with overweight/obesity. Physiol Behav. 2022 03 01; 245:113672. View Abstract
  25. Impacts of dietary self-monitoring via MyFitnessPal to undergraduate women: A qualitative study. Body Image. 2021 Dec; 39:221-226. View Abstract
  26. Diagnosis of Eating Disorders Among College Students: A Comparison of Military and Civilian Students. Mil Med. 2021 08 28; 186(9-10):975-983. View Abstract
  27. Introducing Dietary Self-Monitoring to Undergraduate Women via a Calorie Counting App Has No Effect on Mental Health or Health Behaviors: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2021 12; 121(12):2377-2388. View Abstract
  28. The set point: weight destiny established before adulthood? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2021 08 01; 33(4):368-372. View Abstract
  29. Food insecurity and its associations with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2022 Jul; 57(7):1483-1490. View Abstract
  30. Relationships between patterns of technology-based weight-related self-monitoring and eating disorder behaviors among first year university students. Eat Behav. 2021 08; 42:101520. View Abstract
  31. Acute Daily Stress, Daily Food Consumption, and the Moderating Effect of Disordered Eating among Adolescents with Overweight/Obesity. Child Obes. 2021 09; 17(6):391-399. View Abstract
  32. Targeted self-regulation interventions in low-income children: Clinical trial results and implications for health behavior change. J Exp Child Psychol. 2021 08; 208:105157. View Abstract
  33. The scale matters: assessing body size with figure rating scales in a diverse sample of young adults. Eat Weight Disord. 2022 Feb; 27(1):263-271. View Abstract
  34. Students with Food Insecurity Are More Likely to Screen Positive for an Eating Disorder at a Large, Public University in the Midwest. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2021 06; 121(6):1115-1124. View Abstract
  35. Weight-Focused Public Health Interventions-No Benefit, Some Harm. JAMA Pediatr. 2021 03 01; 175(3):238-239. View Abstract
  36. Psychological Stress and Lowered Physical Activity Enjoyment in Adolescents With Overweight/Obesity. Am J Health Promot. 2021 07; 35(6):766-774. View Abstract
  37. Relationships between patterns of weight-related self-monitoring and eating disorder symptomology among undergraduate and graduate students. Int J Eat Disord. 2021 04; 54(4):595-605. View Abstract
  38. Parental perceptions of actual and ideal body weight in early childhood prospectively predict adolescent perceptions of actual and ideal body weight among a low-income population. Eat Weight Disord. 2021 Oct; 26(7):2371-2379. View Abstract
  39. Grocery Delivery of Healthy Foods to Pregnant Young Women With Low Incomes: Feasibility and Acceptability Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Form Res. 2020 Dec 24; 4(12):e21602. View Abstract
  40. Weight bias among public health trainees. Public Health Nutr. 2021 04; 24(6):1566-1569. View Abstract
  41. Cultural and environmental associations with body image, diet and well-being in NCAA DI female distance runners: a qualitative analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2021 Apr; 55(8):433-437. View Abstract
  42. Self-perceived risk for diabetes among non-diabetic adolescents with overweight/obesity: Findings from NHANES. Prim Care Diabetes. 2021 02; 15(1):156-161. View Abstract
  43. Youth Perceptions of Juul in the United States. JAMA Pediatr. 2020 08 01; 174(8):800-802. View Abstract
  44. Reducing paediatric overweight and obesity through motivational interviewing: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in the AAP PROS research network. BMJ Open. 2020 07 28; 10(7):e035720. View Abstract
  45. Development and Validation of the Eating Disorders Screen for Athletes (EDSA): A Brief Screening Tool for Male and Female Athletes. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2020 Sep; 50. View Abstract
  46. Psychosocial, behavioral and clinical correlates of children with overweight and obesity. BMC Pediatr. 2020 06 10; 20(1):291. View Abstract
  47. "It's Healthy Because It's Natural." Perceptions of "Clean" Eating among U.S. Adolescents and Emerging Adults. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 07; 12(6). View Abstract
  48. Disparities in eating disorder risk and diagnosis among sexual minority college students: Findings from the national Healthy Minds Study. Int J Eat Disord. 2020 09; 53(9):1563-1568. View Abstract
  49. Dietary self-monitoring is associated with increased likelihood of problematic alcohol use among college students. J Am Coll Health. 2022 01; 70(1):274-279. View Abstract
  50. The association of disordered eating with health-related quality of life in U.S. young adults and effect modification by gender. Qual Life Res. 2020 May; 29(5):1203-1215. View Abstract
  51. Adolescent stress: A predictor of dieting behaviors in youth with overweight/obesity. Appetite. 2020 04 01; 147:104560. View Abstract
  52. Diet Pill and Laxative Use for Weight Control and Subsequent Incident Eating Disorder in US Young Women: 2001-2016. Am J Public Health. 2020 01; 110(1):109-111. View Abstract
  53. Mother-Child and Father-Child Connectedness in Adolescence and Disordered Eating Symptoms in Young Adulthood. J Adolesc Health. 2020 03; 66(3):366-371. View Abstract
  54. Understanding suicide risk and eating disorders in college student populations: Results from a National Study. Int J Eat Disord. 2020 02; 53(2):229-238. View Abstract
  55. Associations between childhood maltreatment latent classes and eating disorder symptoms in a nationally representative sample of young adults in the United States. Child Abuse Negl. 2019 12; 98:104171. View Abstract
  56. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity in SNAP-eligible children and adolescents. Prim Care Diabetes. 2020 04; 14(2):181-185. View Abstract
  57. Youth Preferences for Weight-Related Conversations. Health Commun. 2020 10; 35(11):1328-1333. View Abstract
  58. Maternal Eating Disorders and Eating Disorder Treatment Among Girls in the Growing Up Today Study. J Adolesc Health. 2019 10; 65(4):469-475. View Abstract
  59. Food Insecurity Associated with Screening Positive for a Possible Eating Disorder Among Students Attending a Large, Public University in the Midwest (P04-035-19). Curr Dev Nutr. 2019 Jun; 3(Suppl 1). View Abstract
  60. Evaluating gender bias in an eating disorder risk assessment questionnaire for athletes. Eat Disord. 2021 Jan-Feb; 29(1):29-41. View Abstract
  61. Binge eating-related concerns and depressive symptoms in young adulthood: Seven-year longitudinal associations and differences by race/ethnicity. Eat Behav. 2019 01; 32:90-94. View Abstract
  62. Subjective experiences of highly processed food consumption in individuals with food addiction. Psychol Addict Behav. 2019 Mar; 33(2):144-153. View Abstract
  63. Shared Concerns and Opportunity for Joint Action in Creating a Food Environment That Supports Health. Nutrients. 2018 Dec 25; 11(1). View Abstract
  64. The Course of Eating Disorders Involving Bingeing and Purging Among Adolescent Girls: Prevalence, Stability, and Transitions. J Adolesc Health. 2019 02; 64(2):165-171. View Abstract
  65. The Heterogeneity of MI Interventions Studies for Treatment of Obesity. Pediatrics. 2018 11; 142(5). View Abstract
  66. Family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the weight effects of added sugar. SAGE Open Med. 2018; 6:2050312118801245. View Abstract
  67. Youth Opinions About Guns and Gun Control in the United States. JAMA Pediatr. 2018 09 01; 172(9):884-886. View Abstract
  68. Research for leveraging food policy in universal eating disorder prevention. Int J Eat Disord. 2018 06; 51(6):503-506. View Abstract
  69. Cross-sectional associations between weight-related health behaviors and weight misperception among U.S. adolescents with overweight/obesity. BMC Public Health. 2018 04 18; 18(1):514. View Abstract
  70. Relating shape/weight based self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with weight and perceived physical health among young adults. Body Image. 2018 Jun; 25:168-176. View Abstract
  71. Parenting in an Obesogenic Environment: Ghosts at the Dinner Table. Pediatrics. 2018 04; 141(4). View Abstract
  72. Disparities in eating disorder diagnosis and treatment according to weight status, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and sex among college students. Int J Eat Disord. 2018 06; 51(6):518-526. View Abstract
  73. Cross-sectional associations between gender-linked personality traits and use of weight-loss and muscle-building products among U.S. young adults. Eat Disord. 2018 Sep-Oct; 26(5):418-429. View Abstract
  74. MyVoice National Text Message Survey of Youth Aged 14 to 24 Years: Study Protocol. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Dec 11; 6(12):e247. View Abstract
  75. Longitudinal impact of weight misperception and intent to change weight on body mass index of adolescents and young adults with overweight or obesity. Eat Behav. 2017 12; 27:7-13. View Abstract
  76. Weight misperception and disordered weight control behaviors among U.S. high school students with overweight and obesity: Associations and trends, 1999-2013. Eat Behav. 2017 08; 26:189-195. View Abstract
  77. Protective Misperception? Prospective Study of Weight Self-Perception and Blood Pressure in Adolescents With Overweight and Obesity. J Adolesc Health. 2017 Jun; 60(6):680-687. View Abstract
  78. Cross-sectional and Prospective Examination of Weight Misperception and Depressive Symptoms Among Youth with Overweight and Obesity. Prev Sci. 2017 02; 18(2):152-163. View Abstract
  79. Eating disorder symptoms among undergraduate and graduate students at 12 U.S. colleges and universities. Eat Behav. 2017 01; 24:81-88. View Abstract
  80. Gender Conformity and Use of Laxatives and Muscle-Building Products in Adolescents and Young Adults. Pediatrics. 2016 08; 138(2). View Abstract
  81. Inadequate Hydration, BMI, and Obesity Among US Adults: NHANES 2009-2012. Ann Fam Med. 2016 07; 14(4):320-4. View Abstract
  82. Eating disorder behaviours amongst adolescents: investigating classification, persistence and prospective associations with adverse outcomes using latent class models. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 Feb; 26(2):231-240. View Abstract
  83. Male Eating Disorder Symptom Patterns and Health Correlates From 13 to 26 Years of Age. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016 08; 55(8):693-700.e2. View Abstract
  84. Weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity associated with disordered eating behaviors. Int J Eat Disord. 2016 Oct; 49(10):937-946. View Abstract
  85. Is obesity becoming the new normal? Age, gender and racial/ethnic differences in parental misperception of obesity as being 'About the Right Weight'. Int J Obes (Lond). 2016 07; 40(7):1051-5. View Abstract
  86. Are K-12 school environments harming students with obesity? A qualitative study of classroom teachers. Eat Weight Disord. 2017 Mar; 22(1):141-152. View Abstract
  87. Gender expression associated with BMI in a prospective cohort study of US adolescents. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Feb; 24(2):506-15. View Abstract
  88. Reducing Weight Stigma in the Health Care Setting: Important Considerations for Medical Education. JAMA Pediatr. 2015 Dec; 169(12):1178. View Abstract
  89. Body Satisfaction Among Girls With Obesity: A Strong Case for #Loveyourbody. J Adolesc Health. 2015 Nov; 57(5):451-2. View Abstract
  90. Three Interventions That Reduce Childhood Obesity Are Projected To Save More Than They Cost To Implement. Health Aff (Millwood). 2015 Nov; 34(11):1932-9. View Abstract
  91. Helpful or harmful? Prospective association between weight misperception and weight gain among overweight and obese adolescents and young adults. Int J Obes (Lond). 2016 Feb; 40(2):328-32. View Abstract
  92. Cost Effectiveness of Childhood Obesity Interventions: Evidence and Methods for CHOICES. Am J Prev Med. 2015 Jul; 49(1):102-11. View Abstract
  93. BMI and Healthcare Cost Impact of Eliminating Tax Subsidy for Advertising Unhealthy Food to Youth. Am J Prev Med. 2015 Jul; 49(1):124-34. View Abstract
  94. Adolescent Eating Disorders Predict Psychiatric, High-Risk Behaviors and Weight Outcomes in Young Adulthood. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015 Aug; 54(8):652-659.e1. View Abstract
  95. Are first-generation adolescents less likely to be overweight? Results from a survey of Boston youth. J Immigr Minor Health. 2015 Apr; 17(2):605-9. View Abstract
  96. Obesogenic behaviors among adolescents: the role of generation and time in the United States. Ethn Dis. 2015; 25(1):58-64. View Abstract
  97. Childhood hyperactivity/inattention and eating disturbances predict binge eating in adolescence. Psychol Med. 2015; 45(12):2511-20. View Abstract
  98. The economic burden of eating disorders and related mental health comorbidities: An exploratory analysis using the U.S. Medical Expenditures Panel Survey. Prev Med Rep. 2015; 2:32-4. View Abstract
  99. Prospective association between overvaluation of weight and binge eating among overweight adolescent girls. J Adolesc Health. 2015 Jan; 56(1):25-9. View Abstract
  100. Juice and water intake in infancy and later beverage intake and adiposity: could juice be a gateway drink? Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Jan; 23(1):170-6. View Abstract
  101. Longitudinal relations of television, electronic games, and digital versatile discs with changes in diet in adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Oct; 100(4):1173-81. View Abstract
  102. Racial/ethnic differences in accuracy of body mass index reporting in a diverse cohort of young adults. Int J Obes (Lond). 2015 Mar; 39(3):546-8. View Abstract
  103. The cost-effectiveness of school-based eating disorder screening. Am J Public Health. 2014 Sep; 104(9):1774-82. View Abstract
  104. Association of sports drinks with weight gain among adolescents and young adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2014 Oct; 22(10):2238-43. View Abstract
  105. Prevalence of purging at age 16 and associations with negative outcomes among girls in three community-based cohorts. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015 Jan; 56(1):87-96. View Abstract
  106. A latent class analysis to empirically describe eating disorders through developmental stages. Int J Eat Disord. 2014 Nov; 47(7):762-72. View Abstract
  107. Assessing eating disorder symptoms in adolescence: is there a role for multiple informants? Int J Eat Disord. 2014 Jul; 47(5):475-82. View Abstract
  108. Prospective associations of concerns about physique and the development of obesity, binge drinking, and drug use among adolescent boys and young adult men. JAMA Pediatr. 2014 Jan; 168(1):34-9. View Abstract
  109. 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
  110. Adiposity and different types of screen time. Pediatrics. 2013 Dec; 132(6):e1497-505. View Abstract
  111. 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
  112. Associations of parental control of feeding with eating in the absence of hunger and food sneaking, hiding, and hoarding. Child Obes. 2013 Aug; 9(4):346-9. View Abstract
  113. Longitudinal associations between binge eating and overeating and adverse outcomes among adolescents and young adults: does loss of control matter? JAMA Pediatr. 2013 Feb; 167(2):149-55. View Abstract
  114. Eating attitudes and food intakes of elite adolescent female figure skaters: a cross sectional study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012 Dec 13; 9(1):53. View Abstract
  115. Prospective association of common eating disorders and adverse outcomes. Pediatrics. 2012 Aug; 130(2):e289-95. View Abstract
  116. Vitamin d, calcium, and dairy intakes and stress fractures among female adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012 Jul 01; 166(7):595-600. View Abstract
  117. Body satisfaction, weight gain and binge eating among overweight adolescent girls. Int J Obes (Lond). 2012 Jul; 36(7):944-9. View Abstract
  118. 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
  119. Associations of obesogenic behaviors in mothers and obese children participating in a randomized trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2012 Jul; 20(7):1449-54. View Abstract
  120. Can the Internet be used to reach parents for family-based childhood obesity interventions? Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2012 Apr; 51(4):314-20. View Abstract
  121. Longitudinal association of maternal attempt to lose weight during the postpartum period and child obesity at age 3 years. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 Oct; 19(10):2046-52. View Abstract
  122. Economic and other barriers to adopting recommendations to prevent childhood obesity: results of a focus group study with parents. BMC Pediatr. 2009 Dec 21; 9:81. View Abstract
  123. BMI report cards: will they pass or fail in the fight against pediatric obesity? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009 Aug; 21(4):431-6. View Abstract
  124. Overweight prevention in pediatric primary care: a needs assessment of an urban racial/ethnic minority population. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2009 Oct; 48(8):837-43. View Abstract
  125. Televisions in the bedrooms of racial/ethnic minority children: how did they get there and how do we get them out? Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2009 Sep; 48(7):715-9. View Abstract
  126. Impact of change in sweetened caloric beverage consumption on energy intake among children and adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009 Apr; 163(4):336-43. View Abstract
  127. Total energy intake, adolescent discretionary behaviors and the energy gap. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Dec; 32 Suppl 6:S19-27. View Abstract

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