Nick Slagel

PhD, University of Georgia, 2020
Area of Study: Nutrition

MS, Meredith College, 2015
Area of Study: Nutrition

BS, Colorado State University, 2008
Area of Study: Exercise Science

Coordinator
(2022 – Present)

Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (2021 – Present)

Adjunct Professor, Meredith College
Department of Food and Nutrition (2021 – Present)

Instructor of Record, University of Georgia
Department of Foods and Nutrition (2020 – Present)

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Spring 2017
(2017 – Present)

Assessing and Addressing Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in Dietetic Education

Greeley-Evans Schools – Plate Waste Study

As part of a USDA grant (Team Nutrition) I will be supporting D6 Nutrition Service as a contracted evaluator. My role is to support planning, data collection and analysis of plate waste data before and after a district wide nutrition education campaign.

Impact of Motivational Interviewing and Wellness Coaching Experiential Learning in Dietetics Curricula

Imparting Anti-Diet Principles Among Dietetics Students

This project results from a collaboration with a former advisor and mentor. In 2020 and 2021, she required her students in a medical nutrition therapy course to read a popular press book highlighting the negative impacts of diet culture and the benefits of weight inclusivity. Students were asked to rate their attitudes and reflect on each chapter’s content. With input from other content experts, our research group is now conducting a mixed-methods analysis of the students’ attitudes and reflections.

Metabolic demands of climbing

One goal of this research is to compare the reliability of a Garmin watch to assess the energy expenditure of climbing. A secondary goal is to characterize the metabolic demands of various climbing types (bouldering vs. rope climbing) and compare across training and sex differences. This project is awaiting access to a private climbing facility in the Greeley area for convenience sampling and testing with the Cosmed K-5.

Nutrition content, resources and knowledge of climbing influencers

Assessing the types of nutrition content, expertise, resources and general nutrition knowledge of climbing influencers on Instagram.

Nutrition education needs of adult rock climbers

This study will expand upon the pilot study that examined the common sources of nutrition and training information rock climbers use. It will examine the nutrition education needs of rock climbers to further tailor the evidence-based nutrition interventions for adult rock climbers. To date little is know about dietary patterns or preferences, fueling needs/considerations and topics of interest among the general rock climbing population, rather most research focuses on deficiency or excess among adolescents/elite climbers and provides limited implications for intervention.

Pain, Anxiety, and Nutrition in Climbers (PANIC study)

This cross-sectional study using a comprehensive survey with previously validated surveys attempts to assess whether relationships exist between psychological propensities, nutrition behaviors and knowledge, low energy availability and injury/pain outcomes. We will also conduct secondary analyses of variables and relationships with strong correlations.

Social Media Influences on Body Physique Anxiety Among Rock Climbers

This research project aimed to understand what factors influence body image attitudes among adult climbers. Of particular interest are the influences social media use has on body image satisfaction. This study will use a cross-sectional study design and mixed methodology among adult (18 years and older) climbers who climb at indoor climbing facilities across major regions of the United States. This project is supported by a graduate MS Dietetics student.

Spectrum of fit and thin-idealization social media content from climbing influencers

Video simulations project

Along with Dr. Nick Slagel and Dr. Nicole Withrow, we plan to develop video simulations that address clinical nutrition assessments that dietitians may encounter. These video simulations will also incorporate cultural competence issues. This builds on video simulations that Dr. Nicole Withrow has created on malnutrition assessment. We submitted a grant for the Academic Revitalization and Innovation Program that was not funded, so we plan to re-submit this grant at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Spring 2023. These video simulations will provide resources for dietetic interns and other nutrition graduate students preparing for rotations in a clinical setting.

Weight Stigma/Health at Every Size: Special Dietetics Topics Module Development and Evaluation

Areas of Interest

Dr. Slagel has multiple areas of research interest. One of his primary areas of interest is addressing and evaluating food insecurity through community and clinic linkages. In particular he is interested in how clinics and community food resource programs coordinate food access and nutrition services to improve food security and diet quality. Other areas of research include: 1) Studying attitudes of weight-inclusive principles among Dietetic students and 2) Studying the environmental influences of body image attitudes among rock climbers. These research interests inform his pedagogy which is focused on teaching future and current Dietitians to incorporate equity and inclusion into their research and practice.

• Slagel, N., Hall, D., Wang, Y., Duran, Z., Crawley, K., Clifford, D., Harris, C., Hunger, J., Laing, E. (in press). Incorporating Non-Diet and Weight-Neutral Principles in a University Dietetics Curriculum. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
• Slagel N, Newman T, Sanville L, et al. A Pilot Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program Improves Local Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Nutrition Knowledge, and Food Purchasing Practices. Health Promotion Practice. June 2021. doi:10.1177/15248399211018169
• Cook, M., Ward, R., Newman, T., Berney, S., Slagel, N., Bussey-Jones, J., Schmidt, S., Lee, JS., Webb-Girard, A. Food security and clinical outcomes of the 2017 Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. September 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.06.010
• Slagel, N., Thompson, J., Lee, J.S. (2021). Produce Prescriptions and Nutrition Education Improve Low-Income Adults’ Local Food System Trajectories. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (under review)
• Slagel, N., Dallas, J., Cotto-Rivera, E., Moore, J., Roberts, A., Lee, JS. The Effects of an Expanded Community-and Clinical-Based Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx®) Program® For Low-Income Adults. Health Education and Behavior (revising for resubmission)