Kelly Ylitalo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Public Health | Baylor University
Waco, TX, UNITED STATES
An expert in Physical Functioning, Obesity and Diabetes, Survey Methodology, and Physical Activity.
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Biography
Dr. Ylitalo’s research interests include physical functioning, obesity, and physical activity. Specifically, she is interested in physical functioning trajectories during the mid-life and older adult years, and how behaviors like physical activity throughout the life course can facilitate healthy aging trajectories. Dr. Ylitalo applies quantitative statistical methods to longitudinal cohort studies and complex survey samples. As an epidemiologist, she works with national and local partners to evaluate and understand the health of individuals and their communities.
Areas of Expertise (4)
Physical Activity
Obesity and Diabetes
Physical Functioning
Survey Methodology
Accomplishments (2)
Baylor Fellow, Academy for Teaching and Learning, Baylor University
2018 - 2019
Research Fellow, Texas Hunger Initiative
2017 -
Education (3)
University of Michigan School of Public Health: Ph.D., Epidemiological Science
University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health: M.P.H., Epidemiology
Baylor University College of Arts and Sciences: B.A., Biology (Pre-Medicine)
Links (2)
Media Appearances (3)
In Our View: Aging-friendly community good for everyone
The Columbian online
2023-09-19
Kelly Ylitalo, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology in Baylor’s Department of Public Health, is quoted in this article about the importance of researching healthy aging from a life-course perspective to generate a healthy community through neighborhood design changes.
Baylor Connections - Kelly Ylitalo
Baylor Connections radio
2020-10-09
AUDIO: Kelly Ylitalo, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology in Baylor’s Department of Public Health, focuses her research on physical functioning, obesity and healthy behaviors and their impact on aging trajectories. In this Baylor Connections, she takes listeners inside her partnerships with Waco’s Family Health Center and World Hunger Relief to study the effectiveness of innovative health approaches.
A Face Behind Every Number
Baylor Research online
2020-01-09
For many, the term “data sciences” brings to mind imagery of rows of code, ones and twos, with researchers behind a computer looking for the next breakthrough. Kelly Ylitalo, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Public Health, however, sees within the data sciences an opportunity to bring a touch of empathy into the often-faceless world of high-tech innovation.
Event Appearances (3)
Perceived barriers of being physically active during the summer and school-year: How do siblings compare in Mexican-heritage families?
Active Living Research Charleston, SC, February 17-20, 2019
Sibling Influence on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Mexican-Heritage Families
Active Living Research Charleston, SC, February 17-20, 2019
Peripheral Nerve Impairment Predicts Falls and Injurious Falls in Women: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation
Gerontological Society of America Boston MA, November 14-18, 2018
Research Grants (1)
Mentored Research Scientist Award (K01)
National Institutes of Health $626,000
2019 The grant will allow Ylitalo to partner with local health care organizations to develop and test new methods for capturing and interpreting data about physical activity.
Articles (3)
Sibship, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: a longitudinal, observational study among Mexican-heritage sibling dyads
BMC public healthKelly R Ylitalo et al.
2019 Shared genetic and environmental factors suggest that family relationships are important predictors of obesity-related behaviors, yet little is known about how siblings influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior between sibling dyads across summer and fall time points and determined if birth order and gender modify the relationship between sibling behaviors. Mexican-heritage families residing in colonias along the United States-Mexico border were recruited using promotoras de salud to participate in summer and school year surveys. Eighty-seven sibling dyads had complete data for the physical activity sub-study: 21 older brother-younger brother, 21 older brother-younger sister, 23 older sister-younger brother, and 22 older sister-younger sister dyads. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using a validated 7-day recall instrument to create summary measures of weekly active, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) metabolic equivalents (MET), sitting, and screen time minutes. We used linear regression analyses to examine changes over time and the association between older and younger sibling behavior.
Barriers and Facilitators of Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
Journal of the American Board of Family MedicineKelly R Ylitalo et al.
2019 Patients in a large, federally qualified health center who received a FIT kit order between January 1 and July 1, 2017 were identified. We compared sociodemographic and health characteristics between patients who returned and did not return FITs. We used telephone surveys to nonreturners to identify potential barriers (cost, knowledge, psychosocial factors) and facilitators (prepaid postage, outreach) of FIT kit return. An online survey of clinicians assessed perceived patient barriers and facilitators of colorectal cancer screening.
The Veggie Van: Customer characteristics, fruit and vegetable consumption, and barriers to healthy eating among shoppers at a mobile farmers market in the United States
AppetiteKelly R Ylitalo et al.
2019 Mobile farmers markets may improve local food environments by increasing access to healthy food, yet research is limited. The purpose of this study was to describe customer characteristics and barriers to healthy eating among customers at a mobile farmers market called the Veggie Van.
