Activity Matters Lab

Welcome to our lab!

The Activity Matters Lab examines how various contexts serve a protective role in psychological and health-related outcomes, including obesity and obesogenic behaviors among children and adolescents. In particular, we examine contextual factors as they relate to potential disparities in health and wellness, and the role of developmental transitions as points of risk and opportunity. The role of various discretionary time experiences, especially organized activities, after-school, and summer-based programming is a primary focus of our work. Through ongoing multidisciplinary collaborations with colleagues in the Department of Psychology and Loyola University Stritch Medical Center's Department of Public Health Sciences as well as faculty from other universities across the country, we will continue to develop our program of research in these areas.

Recent Lab News:

Spring Conferences 2019
We presented work at the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) annual conference in D.C. In Chicago, our team presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) and Loyola's Weekend of Excellence.

Undergraduate student Alexandra Reifenberg presented data from her honors thesis at SBM.

Post baccalaureate Veronica Szpak presented her independent research at MPA.

Undergraduate student Anna Sroka (left) presented data from her independent project at SBM. Graduate student Amy Egbert (right) was there to cheer her on!

Undergraduate student Natalie Turchmanovych presented data from her honors thesis at Loyola's Weekend of Excellence.

ISBNPA 2018
Dr. Bohnert presented findings from the Summertime Slide and Space to Grow projects at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual conference in Hong Kong! For details on this work, see the project descriptions & publications and presentations pages.