Karen M. Chapman-Novakofski

Professor of Nutrition

Research Interests

Geriatric nutrition; community nutrition education research, especially osteoporosis and diabetes education. 

Dr. Chapman-Novakofski's research interests focus on identifying and changing food habits of groups of people. Using behavioral theories, her interventions have included reducing cardiovascular disease risk in women and in Hispanic low-income groups, as well as identifying modifiable beliefs women have about calcium and osteoporosis and improving diabetes care knowledge through a statewide program. Part of the research examines the choice of theory, primarily using the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Reasoned Action, or the Stages of Change. We use needs assessment, theoretical-based program development, and outcomes or impact evaluation in all nutrition education interventions. "Outcomes" may be framed as knowledge change, attitude change, dietary change, or as a "marker" for change, such as change in blood sugar or bone density. Validity and reliability of evaluation instruments is another avenue of our nutrition education research. Because taste is a component of food choice, some of our research also assesses taste changes using forced choice methods.

Selected Publications
Maruapula, S. & Chapman-Novakofski, K. (2007) “Health and Dietary Patterns of the Elderly in Botswana.” Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Vol 29, 6. Global Issue on Nutrition Education, Poverty and Human Development. pp 311-319

Maruapula, SD. & Chapman-Novakofski, K. (2006) “Poor intake of milk, vegetables, and fruit with limited dietary variety by Botswana's elderly.” Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly Vol. 25, 3-4 . pp 61-72

Mojtahedi, MC., Plawecki, KL,. Chapman-Novakofski, K. et al. (2006) “Older black women differ in calcium intake source compared to age- and socioeconomic status-matched white women.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Vol 106, 7. pp 1102-1107.

Teaching

Courses recently taught:

NUTR 428 - Community Nutrition

NUTR 510 - Current Topics in Nutrition Research

NUTR 561 - Advanced Clinical Nutrition

NUTR 429 - Nutrition Assessment and therapy

Latest Degree

Ph.D. University of Illinois-1979

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Chapman-Novakofski received her B.S. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and then moved to Alabama to complete a dietetic internship at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After moving back to Illinois, she accepted a position as the Nutrition Support Team Dietitian at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Danville. While working there during the next ten years, she completed a M.S. from Eastern Illinois University and earned her doctorate in Nutritional Science from UIUC. She continued to work at the VAMC as a research dietitian for two additional years before accepting a position as Assistant Professor at UIUC, where she is now an Associate Professor. Dr. Chapman-Novakofski holds positions in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, the College of Medicine, and Illinois Extension. She is married to Dr. Jan Novakofski, and has two children.

Dr. Chapman-Novakofski enjoys teaching, and has taught Community Nutrition to both undergraduate and graduate students at UIUC, and through the extramural program; clinical nutrition courses to graduate students through the Division of Nutritional Sciences, and to third- and fourth-year medical students during their general medicine core courses; and general nutrition through many of her extension and outreach programs.

Representative Publications