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Portrait of Timothy Behrens

Timothy K. Behrens, PhD, CHES, RFSA, FACSM

  • Professor, Programs in Occupational Therapy Science, Technology & Rehabilitation

Education

Postdoctoral Training-Fellow Physical Activity and Public Health Research Directions and Strategies University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2007
Ph D Philosophy University of Oklahoma 2005
MS Health Education University of Houston 2001
BS Community Health Sam Houston State University 2000

Selected Publications

Whitt-Glover, M., Marquez, D., Affuso, O., Behrens, T., & Liebert, M. L. (2019). Health and fitness benefits of physical activity and risks associated with inactivity. An APHA Practitioner’s Handbook on Physical Activity and Public Health. Washington D.C.: APHA Press.
Guard, A., Konz, M., Smith, R., Behrens, T., & Keating, T. (2019). The development of an iPad application for the pain assessment of individuals with developmental disabilities and complex communication needs. Assistive Technology.
Behrens, T., Liebert, M. L., Peterson, H. J., Howard Smith, J., Sutliffe, J. T., Day, A., & Mack, J. (2018, May). Changes in School Food Preparation Methods Result in Healthier Cafeteria Lunches in Elementary Schools. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(5), S139-S144.
Behrens, T., Holeva, W. M., Carpenter, D., Tucker, E., Luna, C., Donovan, J., Field, J., & Kelly, C. (2017, June). Intensity of commonly-reported classroom-based physical activity opportunities in public schools. Preventive Medicine Reports, 6, 157-161.
Behrens, T., Osman, R., Whitney, P., Carpenter, D., Tucker, E., Field, J., & Kelly, C. (2017, February). A Profile of Active Transportation in Colorado Public Schools, 2014–2015. Journal of Community Health, 42(1), 116-121.
Kelly, C., Carpenter, D., Tucker, E., Luna, C., Donovan, J., & Behrens, T. (2017). A Method for Evaluating Physical Activity Programs in Schools. Preventing Chronic Disease, 14.
Holeva-Eklund, W., Behrens, T., Carpenter, D., Tucker, E., Field, J., & Kelly, C. M. (2017). School staff perceptions of physical activity in public schools. Journal of Physical Education Research, 4(3), 22-30.
Palmer, S. E., & Behrens, T. (2017, October (4th Quarter/Autumn)). At the Crossroads: How Physical Education Can Succeed in a Public Health Paradigm. Quest, 69(4), 467-479.
Eaves, E. R., Behrens, T., Dinger, M. K., Hines, L., Brittain, D. R., & Harbour, V. J. (2017, July (3rd Quarter/Summer)). Demographic Trends in Utah College Students' Vigorous Physical Activity, 2003-2007. American Journal of Health Behavior, 41(4), 437-445.
Behrens, T., Schuna, J. M., Liebert, M. L., Davis, S. K., & Rice, K. R. (2016, November). Evaluation of an unstructured afterschool physical activity programme for disadvantaged youth. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(22), 2140-2144.
Patsch, A. J., Smith, J. H., Liebert, M. L., Behrens, T., & Charles, T. (2016, July (3rd Quarter/Summer)). Improving Healthy Eating and the Bottom Line. American Journal of Health Promotion, 30(6), 425-432.
Rice, K. R., Behrens, T., Cline, R. L., Hines, L., & Sturm, K. (2016, April (2nd Quarter/Spring)). Physical Activity Prevalence and Awareness after an Exercise is Medicine on Campus Campaign, 2011-2013. International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine, 2(2).
Behrens, T., Miller, D. J., Schuna, J. M., & Liebert, M. L. (2015, December). Physical Activity Intensity, Lesson Context, and Teacher Interactions During an Unstructured Afterschool Physical Activity Program. Journal of School Health, 85(12), 880-885.
Behrens, T., Wegner, R. L., Miller, D. J., Liebert, M. L., & Howard-Smith, J. (2015). Parent’s and children’s perceptions of the Keep it Moving! afterschool physical activity program. The Physical Educator, 72(3), 445-459.
Bopp, M., Behrens, T., & Velecina, R. (2014, November). Associations of Weight Status, Social Factors, and Active Travel Among College Students. American Journal of Health Education, 45(6), 358-367.

Presentations

Palmer, S. E., & Behrens, T. (April 2019). A comparison of elementary physical education and physical activity classes. SHAPE America National Convention and Expo, Tampa, FL.
Palmer, S. E., & Behrens, T. (April 2019). At the crossroads – physical education within a public health paradigm. SHAPE America National Convention and Expo, Tampa, FL.
Holeva-Eklund, W., Carpenter, D., Tucker, E., Behrens, T., Luna, C., Field, J., & Kelly, C. (April 2019). Physical activity in schools and its effects on academic achievement. SHAPE America National Convention and Expo, Tampa, FL.
Lane, T., Walka, S., Rudin, E., Holeva-Eklund, W. M., Behrens, T., & de Heer, H. (March 2019). Veggie Vouchers: A vegetable prescription voucher program in the Fit Kids of Arizona clinical program. Society for Behavioral Medicine 2019 Annual Meeting, Washington DC.
Ashley, C., Skeet, K., Tallis, K., Yazzie, D., Jumbo-Rinitla, S., Sanderson, P., de Heer, H., & Behrens, T. (October 2018). A community survey on perceptions of the Navao Nation 2% teax of foods of little-to-no-nutritious value among 22 Chapters. Arizona Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.
Tallis, K., Yazzie, D., Jumbo-Rinitla, S., Ashley, C., Skeet, K., Ashley, M., Sanderson, P., de Heer, H., & Behrens, T. (October 2018). The Healthy Dine’ Nation Act: The 2% tax on foods of little-to-no-nutritious value. Arizona Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.
Behrens, T. (September 2018). Making sense of multiple physical activity recommendations. Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Colorado Springs, CO.
Behrens, T. (July 2018). Strategic planning for Department Leaders: Lessons Learned. Department Head Certification Training, Flagstaff, AZ.
Behrens, T. (July 2018). New administrator orientation, Flagstaff, AZ.
Behrens, T. (May 2018). Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative & Northern Arizona University 2018 Faculty Grant Mentoring Program, Flagstaff, AZ.
Behrens, T. (April 2018). Alternatives to research: How to conduct a small-scale evaluation or quality improvement projects to achieve meaningful results. , Kingman, AZ.
Behrens, T. (March 2018). Using logic models in community-based research and quality improvement initiatives. , Flagstaff, AZ.
Kelly, C. M., Behrens, T., Carpenter, D., Luna, C., & Tucker, E. (February 2018). Promoting physical activity in schools: Results of the Thriving Schools Initiative. Active Living Research Conference, Banff, AB, CAN.
Yazzie, D., Tallis, K., Behrens, T., de Heer, H., Sanderson, P., & Jumbo-Rintila, S. (October 2017). Healthy Dine’ Nation Act: An implementation study. Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board Conference, Window Rock, AZ.
Dmitrieva, N. O., Barrios, B., Dunbar, N., Winfree, K. N., Behrens, T., & Baldwin, J. (September 2017). Momentary pathways to overeating and sedentary behaviors in prediabetes: A proposed program of research. 2017 Arizona Wellbeing Commons Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Honors & Awards

Educator of Influence (2018) Northern Arizona University.
Golden Axe Award (2018) Northern Arizona University.
Educator of Influence (2017) Northern Arizona University.
Distinguished Faculty Award (2010) Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (2010) .
Fellow of the Research Consortium (2008) SHAPE America.
Doctoral Student Research Award (2005) Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma.
Doctoral Student Research Award (2004) Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Oklahoma.
Doctoral Student Research Award (2003) Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Oklahoma.
Robert E. and Mary B. Sturgis Scholarship (2003) University of Oklahoma.
Irene Smith Buckner Scholarship Endowment (2001) University of Houston.
Leader in Health Education (2000) Sam Houston State University.