Portrait of Lori Klos

Lori Klos, PhD, RDN

  • Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences Undergraduate Program Director, MPH-Nutrition & Dietetics Program Director

Education

PhD Nutritional Sciences Cornell University 2007
Registered Dietitian Dietetics Loyola University 2004
MS Food Science and Human Nutrition University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2002
BS Human Nutrition University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2000

Speaker Topics

  • Obesity and Weight Management
  • Health at Every Size
  • Weight Inclusivity and Weight Stigmatization
  • Training of Future Nutrition Professionals

Interests & Expertise

Lori Klos primarily utilizes a psychosocial perspective to explore questions regarding the interpretation and management of body weight and shape within various sociocultural contexts, such as social relationships, college environment and populations, and adults transitioning into marriage.

Klos explores how feedback regarding body weight and shape influence body image and health behavior. She utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methodologies operationalized through the use of surveys, experiments, interviews and one-on-one, focus groups. A better understanding of how members within a society define and negotiate body weight and shape can inform the development of health promotion and disease prevention efforts.

More specifically, Klos’ research interests involve:

  • Examining how self-weighing behavior and body weight monitoring affects body image and weight management behaviors; the efficacious use of weight monitoring in weight management interventions.
  • Elucidating the influence of romantic partners on body image, eating and activity behavior, and approaches to weight management among members of the couple.
  • Exploring the impact of major life events,such as: weddings, extreme weight loss, on body image, dietary intake, physical activity and weight management.
  • Elucidating the role of body dissatisfaction as a motivator and inhibitor of healthy behavior.
  • Exploring the feasibility and efficacy of using Internet-based technology for health promotion research and weight management interventions.

Selected Publications

Greenleaf, C., Hauff, C., Klos, L., & Serafin, G. (2020). “Fat people exercise too!”: Perceptions and realities of shopping for women’s plus-size exercise apparel. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 38(2), 75-89.

Greenleaf, Christy, Klos, Lori A., Hauff, Caitlyn, Hennum, Abby, Pozoliniski, Brett, and Serafin, Gabriel. ““Unless you puke, faint, or die, keep going!” Exploring weight stigma in the gym on The Biggest Loser.” Fat Studies. (2018): 1-17.

Laus, Maria F., Almeida, Sebastião S., and Klos, Lori A. “Body image and the role of romantic relationships.” Cogent Psychology 5.1 Ed. Kong, Feng. (2018): 1-16.

Rote, A E., Klos, Lori A., Brondino, M J., Harley, A E., and Swartz, Ann M. “The efficacy of a walking intervention using social media to increase physical activity: A randomized trial.” Journal of Physical Activity & Health 12.Suppl 1 (2015): S18-S25.

Klos, Lori A., Greenleaf, Christy, Paly, N, Kessler, M M., Shoemaker, C G., and Suchla, E A. “Losing weight on reality TV: A content analysis of the weight loss behaviors and practices portrayed on The Biggest Loser.” Journal of Health Communications 20.6 (2015): 639-646.

Duncan, M, and Klos, Lori A. “Paradoxes of the flesh: Emotion and contradiction in magazine discourse.” Journal of Sport & Social Issues. (2014).

Wheeler, L A., Cashin, Susan E., Klos, Lori A., Rote, A E., Clasey, J L., and Swartz, Ann M. “Validation of a hand‐held bioelectrical impedance device for the assessment of body fat in young and old adults.” International Journal of Body Composition Research. (2014).

Rote, A, Swartz, Ann M., and Klos, Lori A. “Associations between lifestyle physical activity and body image attitudes among women.” Women & Health 53.3 (2013): 282-297.

Neighbors, L. “Is weighing a “women’s thing?” Associations among gender, gender role orientation, and self-weighing behavior.” Sex Roles 69. (2013): 16-28.

Klos, Lori A., and Sobal, J. “Marital status and body weight, weight perception, and weight management among U.S. adults.” Eating Behaviors 14. (2013): 400-407.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Men and weddings: Engaged men’s body weight ideals and wedding weight management behaviors.” Appetite 60. (2013): 133-139.

Wheeler, L A., Cashin, S E., Klos, Lori A., Rote, A E., Clasey, J E., and Swartz, Ann M. “Validation of a hand-held bioelectrical impedance device for the assessment of body fat in young and old adults compared to tetrapolar BIA using DXA as a reference.” International Journal of Body Composition Research 11.2 (2013): 59-66.

Klos, Lori A., Risse, V, and Kessler, M. “To weigh or not to weigh: An examination of the relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults.” Body Image 9.4 (2012): 551-544.

Kim-Yeary, K H., Klos, Lori A., and Linnan, L. “The examination of process evaluation use in church-based health interventions: A systematic review.” Health Promotion Practice 13. (2012): 524-534.

Neighbors, L. Weight management. Ed. Gay, H, Valese, R, and Campbell, D. Health on Demand, 2010: 89-137.

Neighbors, L, Sobal, J, Liff, C, and Amiraian, D. “Weighing weight: Trends in body weight evaluation among young adults, 1990 and 2005.” Sex Roles 59. (2008): 68-80.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Weight and weddings: Expectations about wedding body weight and shape ideals among university students.” Eating Behaviors 9.4 (2008): 430-437.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Weight and weddings: Women's weight ideals and weight management behaviors for their wedding day.” Appetite 50.2-3 (2008): 550-554.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Prevalence and magnitude of body weight and shape dissatisfaction among university students.” Eating Behaviors 8.4 (2007): 429-439.

Kevutsjy, D A., Garay, J, Nausbaum, M, Neighbors, L, and DellaValle, D M. “Monitoring weight daily blocks the freshman weight gain: A model for combating obesity.” International Journal of Obesity 30. (2006): 1003-1010.

Neighbors, L, and Painter, J. “Online diet analysis tools: A functional comparison.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association 102. (2002): 1738-1342.

Presentations

Klos, Lori A., Greenleaf, Christy, Oles-Fairchild, Tracy, and Laus, M. “An experiential learning activity for pre‐health professional students utilizing “obesity empathy suits” in a physical activity.” Annual meeting of The Obesity Society. Los Angeles, CA. November 2015.

Cass, T, and Klos, Lori A.“Evolution of Pre‐Health Professionals’ Attributions of the Causes of Obesity during an Obesity and Weight Management Course.” National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Cheney, Washington. April 2015.

Klos, Lori A., Greenleaf, Christy, Cass, T J., Paly, N A., and Kessler, M M.“Pre-health professionals’ anti-fat attitudes and beliefs about weight locus of control, before and after participating in an obesity and weight management course.” 2nd International Weight Stigma Conference. Canterbury, UK. 2014.

Rote, A E., Klos, Lori A., Brondino, M, Strath, Scott J., Harley, Amy, and Swartz, Ann M.“The efficacy of a Facebook-mediated intervention to increase physical activity among young women.” Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. Orlando, FL. May 2014.

Klos, Lori A., and Greenleaf, Christy. “Weight loss trajectories on popular reality television shows: a content analysis of The Biggest Loser.” Annual meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine,. Philadelphia, PA. April 2014.

Klos, Lori A., Cass, T J., Paly, N A., and Kessler, M M.“Pre-health professionals’ attitudes about obesity and obese individuals before and after an obesity and weight management course.” University of Wisconsin System’s Office of Professional and Instructional Development Spring Conference. Green Lake, W. April 2014.

Rote, A E., Klos, Lori A., Wheeler, L A., Thielke, N C., and Swartz, Ann M.“Comparing Body Fat Distribution in Women According to Weight Perception.” American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. 2013.

Klos, Lori A.“Gender differences in weighing comfort within common situational contexts..” Annual meeting of The Obesity Society. Atlanta, GA. November 2013.

Greenleaf, Christy, Klos, Lori A., and Paly, N. “Pre-health professionals’ perceptions of overweight and obesity.” Annual meeting of The Obesity Society. Atlanta, GA. November 2013.

Wheeler, L A., Cashin, Susan E., Klos, Lori A., Clasey, J L., and Swartz, Ann M.“Validation of hand-held bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of body fat in young and old adults.” Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. Indianapolis, INdiana. June 2013.

Swartz, Ann M., Wheeler, L A., Cashin, S E., Klos, Lori A., Rote, A E., and Clasey, J E.“Validation of hand-held bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of body fat in young and old adults.” American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. May 2013.

Klos, Lori A.“Is weighing a “woman’s thing?” Associations among gender, gender role orientation, and self-weighing behavior.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Ghent, Belgium. May 2013.

Klos, Lori A., Greenleaf, Christy, Paly, N, Kessler, M, Shoemaker, C, and Suchla, E. “Losing weight on reality TV: a content analysis of weight loss behaviors and practices portrayed on The Biggest Loser.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Ghent, Belgium. May 2013.

Klos, Lori A., Kessler, M, and Wheeler, L A.“Weight and weddings: a content analysis of diet and physical activity-related messages within bridal magazines.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Ghent, Belgium. May 2013.

Klos, Lori A.“Overcoming mindless eating.” Library staff (part of the Best Places to Work Initiative). . November 2012.

Rote, A, Klos, Lori A., Wheeler, L A., and Swartz, Ann M.“Many college women are not aware that they are over-fat or obese.” Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. San Francisco, CA. May 2012.

Klos, Lori A.“An examination of self-weighing behavior and its associations with body image among young adults.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Austin, TX. May 2012.

Klos, Lori A., Pacanowski, C, and Lynch, A. “To weigh or not to weigh: An exploration of body weight monitoring and its relationship to body image and weight management within various populations.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Austin, TX. May 2012.

Klos, Lori A., and Sobal, J. “Weight and weddings: Engaged men’s body weight ideals and wedding weight management behaviors.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Austin, TX. May 2012.

Neighbors, L. “To weigh or not to weigh: An examination of associations between self-weighing behavior and body image among young adults..” International Conference on Body Image in Contemporary Society. New York, NY. April 2011.

Neighbors, L. “Wedding weight management: An opportunity for healthier ever after?.” Obesity and the Family Conference, Brigham Young University. Sundance, UT. May 2009.

Neighbors, L, and Calloway, S. “What older overweight adults want in a web-based weight loss program: A qualitative examination of food, nutrition, and eating behavior.” International Conference on Health Care Systems. Milwaukee, WI. November 2008.

Neighbors, L, and Soball, J. “Romantic involvement and body weight, weight perception, and weight management behavior among young adults: An examination of Add Health, Wave III.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Banff, Alberta, Canada. May 2008.

Neighbors, L, Soball, J, Liff, C, and Amiraian, D. “Trends in associations between romantic relationships and body weight status, evaluation, and management among university students.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Banff, Alberta, Canada. May 2008.

Neighbors, L. “Soy - the two-faced plant. An exploration of the relationship between soy isoflavones and breast cancer.” . Ithaca, NY. 2007.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Marital status, body weight perception and weight management among U.S. adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2002.” Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Washington, DC. November 2007.

Sobal, J, Liff, C, Amiraian, D, and Neighbors, L. “Is stigmatization of obesity changing? Attitudes towards overweight dating partners in 1990 and 2005.” Annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. New York, NY. August 2007.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Weight and weddings: Women's weight ideals and weight management behaviors in preparation for their wedding day.” Annual meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Oslo, Norway. June 2007.

Neighbors, L, Sobal, J, Liff, C, and Amiraian, D. “Weighing weight: Trends in body weight evaluation among young adults, 1990 and 2005.” Annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity. Boston, MA. June 2007.

Neighbors, L, and Sobal, J. “Are larger waistlines leading to increased body acceptance? An examination of current body weight and body weight dissatisfaction in male and female university students.” Annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity. Boston, MA. October 2006.