Sheri A. Zidenberg-Cherr, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D., University of California, Davis

Research Interests

Dr. Zidenberg-Cherr’s research program studies the impact of multi-faceted approaches to nutrition education on the dietary and lifestyle choices of school-aged children. Her research utilizes a food systems approach in the development and testing of nutrition education curricula and comprehensive nutrition education programs for school age children. She was the founding Director of the Center for Nutrition in Schools in the Department of Nutrition at University of California, Davis. The goal of the Center is to provide state-of the-art research, outreach, and educational programs to improve the nutrition knowledge, skills, and health outcomes of the nation’s children, assisting them in achieving their full potential academically, socially, and physically.

 

Selected Publications

Fetter DS, Scherr RE, Linnell JD, Dharmar M, Schaefer SE, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Effect of the Shaping Healthy Choices Program, a Multicomponent, School-Based Nutrition Intervention, on Physical Activity Intensity. J Am Coll Nutr. 2018 Mar 13:1-7. [PubMed]

Scherr, R.E., Dharmar, M. Linnell, J., Smith, M.H., Briggs, M., Bergman, J., Brian, K., Feenstra, G., Hillhouse, J.C., Keen, C.L., Beccarelli, L.M., Ontai, L.L., Schaefer, S.E., Spezzano, T., Steinberg, F.M, Sutter, C., Young, H.M., and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Sustained BMI improvement from the Shaping Healthy Choices Program, a multi-component, school-based, nutrition intervention. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In Press.

Beccarellli L, Scherr RE, Linnell JD, Dharmar, M, Brian K, Ermakov I, Gellermann W, Jahns, L, Keen CL, Miyamoto S, Steinberg F, Young HM, Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Using Skin Carotenoids to Assess Potential Dietary Changes in Students After One Academic Year Participating in the Shaping Healthy Choices Program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In Press.

Scherr RE, Linnell JD, Dharmar M, Beccarelli LM, Bergman JJ, Briggs M, Brian KM, Feenstra G, Hillhouse JC, Keen CL, Ontai LL, Schaefer SE, Smith MH, Spezzano T, Steinberg FM, Sutter C, Young HM, Zidenberg-Cherr S. A Multicomponent, School-Based Intervention, the Shaping Healthy Choices Program, Improves Nutrition-Related Outcomes. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2017 Feb 8. pii: S1499-4046(16)30961-7. [PubMed]

Linnell, JD, Smith, MH, Briggs, M, Brian, KM, Scherr, RE, Dharmar, M, and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Evaluating the relationships between teacher characteristics, implementation factors, and student outcomes among children participating in an experiential school-based program. Pedagogy in Health Promotion. 2016.

Sutter C, Nishina A, Scherr RE, Zidenberg-Cherr S, Ontai LL. Sharing, trading, stealing: Exploring the role of peers in shaping foods available at lunchtime. J Early Adolescence. January 2015.

Linnell JD, Zidenberg-Cherr S, Briggs M, Scherr RE, Brian KM, Hillhouse C, Smith MH. Using a Systematic Approach and Theoretical Framework to Design a Curriculum for the Shaping Healthy Choices Program. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2015 Nov 4. pii: S1499-4046(15)00676-4.   [PubMed]

Nguyen LM, Scherr RE, Linnell JD, Ermakov IV, Gellermann W, Jahns L, Keen CL, Miyamoto S, Steinberg FM, Young HM, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Evaluating the relationship between plasma and skin carotenoids and reported dietary intake in elementary school children to assess fruit and vegetable intake. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2015 Apr 15;572:73-80. [PubMed]

Scherr RE, Linnell JD, Smith MH, Briggs M, Bergman J, Brian KM, Dharmar M, Feenstra G, Hillhouse C, et al. The Shaping Healthy Choices Program: design and implementation methodologies for a multicomponent, school-based nutrition education intervention. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2014 Nov-Dec;46:e13-21. [PubMed]

Jones AM, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Exploring Nutrition Education Resources and Barriers, and Nutrition Knowledge in Teachers in California. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2014 Sep 22. [PubMed]

Jones AM, Lamp C, Neelon M, Nicholson Y, Schneider C, Wooten Swanson P, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Reliability and validity of nutrition knowledge questionnaire for adults. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2015 Jan-Feb;47:69-74. [PubMed]

Bergman JJ, Briggs MM, Beall DL, Curwood S, Gray P, Soiseth S, Taylor RK, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Stepping up to the challenge: the development, implementation, and assessment of a statewide, regional, leadership program for school nutrition directors. Health promotion practice. 2015 Jan;16:122-31. [PubMed]

Scherr, R.E., Cox, R.J., Feenstra, G., and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Integrating local agriculture with nutrition education to improve the health of Californians: Current status of garden-based nutrition education and farm-to-school programs in California schools and after-school programs. California Agriculture 2013;67(1):30-37.

Linnell J, Briggs M, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Calcium Counts curriculum improves fifth-graders' knowledge about calcium-rich food. Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2013;45(2):191-3. [PubMed]

Bersamin A, Wolsko C, Luick BR, Boyer BB, Lardon C, Hopkins SE, Stern JS, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Enculturation, perceived stress, and physical activity: implications for metabolic risk among the Yup'ik - The Center for Alaska Native Health Research Study. Ethnicity & health 2013. [PubMed]

Hazzard EL, Moreno E, Beall DL, Zidenberg-Cherr S. An evaluation of the California Instructional School Garden Program. Public health nutrition 2012;15(2):285-90. [PubMed]

Hazzard EL, Moreno E, Beall DL, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Factors contributing to a school's decision to apply for the California Instructional School Garden Program. Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2012;44(4):379-83. [PubMed]

Scherr, R.E., Briggs, M., Reed, H., and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Development and Evaluation of Nutrition Education Competencies and a Competency-Based Resource Guide for Preschool-Aged Children. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. 2011;35(2). [Article]

Hazzard EL, Moreno E, Beall DL, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Best practices models for implementing, sustaining, and using instructional school gardens in California. Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2011;43(5):409-13. [PubMed]

Schneider JM, Fujii ML, Lamp CL, Lonnerdal B, Dewey KG, Zidenberg-Cherr S. The use of multiple logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with anemia and iron deficiency in a convenience sample of 12-36-mo-old children from low-income families. The American journal of clinical nutrition 2008;87(3):614-20. [PubMed]

Cena ER, Joy AB, Heneman K, Espinosa-Hall G, Garcia L, Schneider C, Wooten Swanson PC, Hudes M, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Folate intake and food-related behaviors in nonpregnant, low-income women of childbearing age. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008;108(8):1364-8. [PubMed]

Cena ER, Joy AB, Heneman K, Espinosa-Hall G, Garcia L, Schneider C, Wooten Swanson PC, Hudes M, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Learner-centered nutrition education improves folate intake and food-related behaviors in nonpregnant, low-income women of childbearing age. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008;108(10):1627-35. [PubMed]

Bersamin A, Luick BR, King IB, Stern JS, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Westernizing diets influence fat intake, red blood cell fatty acid composition, and health in remote Alaskan Native communities in the center for Alaska Native health study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008;108(2):266-73. [PubMed]

Schneider JM, Fujii ML, Lamp CL, Lonnerdal B, Zidenberg-Cherr S. The prevalence of low serum zinc and copper levels and dietary habits associated with serum zinc and copper in 12- to 36-month-old children from low-income families at risk for iron deficiency. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2007;107(11):1924-9. [PubMed]

Bersamin A, Zidenberg-Cherr S, Stern JS, Luick BR. Nutrient intakes are associated with adherence to a traditional diet among Yup'ik Eskimos living in remote Alaska Native communities: the CANHR Study. International journal of circumpolar health 2007;66(1):62-70. [PubMed]

Bersamin A, Luick BR, Ruppert E, Stern JS, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Diet quality among Yup'ik Eskimos living in rural communities is low: the Center for Alaska Native Health Research Pilot Study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2006;106(7):1055-63. [PubMed]

Schneider JM, Fujii ML, Lamp CL, Lonnerdal B, Dewey KG, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia in 12-36-mo-old children from low-income families. The American journal of clinical nutrition 2005;82(6):1269-75. [PubMed]

Heneman K, Block-Joy A, Zidenberg-Cherr S, Donohue S, Garcia L, Martin A, Metz D, Smith D, West E, Steinberg FM. A "contract for change" increases produce consumption in low-income women: a pilot study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2005;105(11):1793-6. [PubMed]

Graham H, Zidenberg-Cherr S. California teachers perceive school gardens as an effective nutritional tool to promote healthful eating habits. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2005;105(11):1797-800. [PubMed]

Graham H, Beall DL, Lussier M, McLaughlin P, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Use of school gardens in academic instruction. Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2005;37(3):147-51. [PubMed]

Morris, J. L., & Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Garden-enhanced nutrition curriculum improves fourth-grade school children's knowledge of nutrition and preferences for some vegetables. J Am Diet Assoc 2002; 102: 91-93. [PubMed]

Morris, J. L., Briggs, M., & Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Nutrition to grow on: a garden-enhanced nutrition education curriculum for upper-elementary schoolchildren. J Nutr Educ Behav 2002; 34: 175-176.

Neyman, M. R., Block, G., Johns, M., Sutherlin, J. M., McDonald, R. B., & Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Effect of participation in congregate-site meal programs on the energy and nutrient intakes of Hispanic seniors. J Am Diet Assoc 1998; 98: 1460-1462. [PubMed]

Hanna, L. A., Peters, J. M., Wiley, L. M., Zidenberg-Cherr, S., & Keen, C. L. Enhancing effect of maternal zinc deficiency and 137Cs gamma-irradiation on the frequency of fetal malformations in mice. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1997; 17: 127-137.

Keen, C. L. and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Manganese. Present Knowledge in Nutrition (eds E.E. Ziegler and C.J. Filer), ILSI Press, Washington, pp. 334-343, 1996.

Keen, C. L. and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Trace element and vitamin interactions in free radical defense. In: Nutrition in a Sustainable Environment (Eds. M.L. Wahlquist, A.S. Truswell, R. Smith and P. J. Nestle), Proceedings of the XV International Congress of Nutrition, Adelaide, 1994, published 1996.

Neyman, M. R., S. Zidenberg-Cherr and McDonald, R., Nutritional status of elderly participating and not participating in congregate site meal programs. Journal American Dietetic Association 1995;96: 475-483.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Trace Elements and Free Radicals in Oxidative Diseases (ed. A. E. Favier, J. Neve, and P. Faure) Book Review American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995. [PubMed]

Peters, J.M., Wiley, L. M., Zidenberg-Cherr, S., and C. L. Keen, Periconceptional zinc deficiency affects uterine 3H-Estradiol Binding in Mice. Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis 1994;15: 23-31.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Lead poisoning continues to pose threat. California Agriculture, 48:8-9 (letter), 1994.

Keen, C.L., Zidenberg-Cherr, S., and B. L`nnerdal. Nutritional and toxicological aspects of manganese intake: An overview. In: Risk Assessment of Essential Elements (W. Mertz, co. O. Abernathy, S.S. Olin, eds.). ILSI Press, Washington, CD, pp. 221-235, 1994.

Keen, C.L. and Zidenberg-Cherr, S., Should Vitamin-Mineral Supplements Be Recommended For All Women With Childbearing Potential? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994;59: 532S-9S. [PubMed]

Keen, C.L. and Zidenberg-Cherr, S., "Manganese Toxicity in Humans and Experimental Animals" in Manganese in Health and Disease, ed. D.J. Klimis-Tavantzis, CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, FL, 1993.

Keen, C.L. and Zidenberg-Cherr, S., "Manganese: Properties and Analysis" in The Encyclopedia of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition, ed. R. Macrae, Academic Press, Limited, London, 1993.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S. A nutritionist uses chemistry. In: General Chemistry (Umland, J. B.), West Educational Publishing. 2pp., 1993.

Peters, J. M., L. M. Wiley, S. Zidenberg-Cherr, and C. L. Keen. Influence of Periconceptional Zinc Deficiency on Embryonic Plasma Membrane Function in Mice. Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis 1993;13: 15-21. [PubMed]

Peters, J. M., L. M. Wiley, S. Zidenberg-Cherr, and C. L. Keen. Influence of short-term maternal zinc deficiency on the in vitro development. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1991;198: 561-568.

Rosenbaum, J. S., S. Zidenberg-Cherr, and C. L. Keen. Influence of copper status on the response to acute ethanol exposure in rats. Alcohol 1991;8: 473-479. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., B. Han, M. A. Dubick, and C. L. Keen. Influence of dietary induced copper and manganese deficiency on ozone-induced changes in lung and liver antioxidant systems. Toxicology Letters 1991;57: 81-90.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., K. L. Olin, J. Villanueva, A. Tang, S. D. Phinney, C. H. Halsted, and C. L. Keen. Ethanol-induced changes in hepatic free radical defense mechanisms and fatty acid composition in the miniature pig. Hepatology 1991;13: 1185-1192. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S. and C. L. Keen. Trace elements as antioxidants. In: Trace Elements, Micronutrients and Free Radicals. Dreosti, I. E. (ed.), The Humana Press, Inc., pp. 107-127, 1991.

Keen, C. L. and S. Zidenberg-Cherr. Manganese. In: Present Knowledge in Nutrition (Brown, M. L., Ed.). International Life Sciences Institute, Nutrition Foundation, Washington, DC, pp. 279-286, 1990.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., C. H. Halsted, K. L. Olin, A. M. Reisenauer, and C. L. Keen. The effect of chronic alcohol ingestion on free radical defense in the miniature pig. Journal of Nutrition 1990;120: 213-217. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., Perinatal Nutrition. Book Review, (B.L. Lindblad, ed.), Journal Of Nutrition 1989119: 1747.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., D. Dreith, and C. L. Keen. Copper status and adriamycin treatment: Effects on antioxidant status in mice. Toxicology Letters 1989;48:201-212. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., M. S. Clegg, N. J. Parks, and C. L. Keen. Localization of bismuth radiotracer in rat kidney following exposure to bismuth. Biological Trace Element Research 1989;19: 185-194.

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., J. Rosenbaum, and C. L. Keen. Altered mineral metabolism as a mechanism underlying the expression of fetal alcohol syndrome in rats. In: Trace Elements in Man and Animals (TEMA) - 6. Hurley, L. S., Keen, C.L., Lönnerdal, B., and Rucker, R. B., eds. Plenum Publishing Corp., New York, pp. 613-614, 1988. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., J. Rosenbaum, and C. L. Keen. Influence of ethanol consumption on maternal-fetal transfer of zinc in pregnant rats on day 14 of pregnancy. Journal of Nutrition 1988;118: 865-870.

Dubick, M. A., S. Zidenberg-Cherr, R. B. Rucker, and C. L. Keen. Superoxide dismutase activity in lung from copper- and manganese-deficient mice exposed to ozone. Toxicology Letters 1988;42: 149-157. [PubMed]

Zidenberg-Cherr, S., P. A. Benak, L. S. Hurley, and C. L. Keen. Altered mineral metabolism: a mechanism underlying the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in rats. Drug-Nutrient Interactions 1988;5: 257-274. [PubMed]