Wolfe

Wendy Wolfe, Ph.D. ’91, research associate in Cornell’s Division of Nutritional Sciences, has received the 2012 Award of Merit from the New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators. She received the award as recognition of her role in combating childhood obesity.

Wolfe, who has conducted research on childhood nutrition, obesity and the elementary school environment, community-based nutrition monitoring and dietary methodology, among other issues, has led the Youth Healthy Eating and Active Living Program Work Team (formerly the Youth Healthy Lifestyles Program Work Team) and developed a new statewide 4-H youth curriculum called Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness (CHFFF). She’s also designed a program – called Choose Health Action Teens (CHAT) – for teens to teach the curriculum to younger children. Last year, the National 4-H Council selected CHAT and CHFFF as the basis for a national youth healthy living program launched in partnership with United Healthcare, a health insurance company.

“I think this award reflects the value that the 4-H system and 4-H educators put on collaborative efforts like this one,” Wolfe said. “It also reflects the new focus of 4-H both nationally and in New York state on healthy lifestyles and especially healthy eating and active living. I am glad that I could help support these efforts.”

Since 2003, Wolfe has focused her research on youth nutrition and childhood obesity prevention within Cornell Cooperative Extension. She has provided training and technical assistance to local educators. She was also a co-author of a Cornell online course on preventing childhood obesity.

The Award of Merit recognizes a member who has demonstrated innovative youth programming in the National Association Extension of 4-H Agents at the regional or national level.

Sarah Cutler ’16 is a student communications assistant for the College of Human Ecology.