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Craig   Johnston

Craig Johnston, Ph.D.

Department Chair, Associate Professor

Office Number: 145 MEL
Phone: 713.743.0613
Fax: 713.743.9860

Email: cajohn25@Central.UH.EDU

Mailing Address:
3875 Holman St., Rm 104 Garrison
Houston, TX 77204-6015

Research Interests

Dr. Johnston actively studies the behavioral treatment of obesity and related diseases. One of his primary areas of research within the treatment of obesity is the development of school-based interventions. Dr. Johnston is currently working to further develop his school-based intervention to prevent obesity in a high risk group of inner-city, low-income, minority adolescents.

Recent Publications and Research Activity

Chen, T., Baranowski T., Moreno, J. P., Johnston C. A., O’Connor, T. M., Hughes, S. O., … Kimbro, R. (in press). Obesity status transitions across the elementary years: Use of Markov Chain Modeling. Pediatric Obesity.

Vaughan, E., Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (in press). Utilizing the One-minute Preceptor for patient education. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Moreno, J. P., Johnston, C. A., Chen, T., O'Connor, T., Hughes, S., Baranowski J., … Baranowski, T. (2015). Seasonal variability in weight change during elementary school. Obesity, 23, 490-496.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., & Foreyt, J. P. (2014). Cardiovascular effects of intensive lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 16, 457.

Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2014). Considering the impact of acculturation on lifestyle interventions for Latinos. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 9, 40-42.

Meltzer, L. J., Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2014). Sleep in not for slackers. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 380-382.

Johnston, C. A., & Moreno, J. P. (2014). Development of a school-based obesity intervention for Mexican Americans. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2(2), 116-130.

Johnston, C. A., & Moreno, J. P. (2014). Promotion of long-term adherence to a healthy lifestyle. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 239-241.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., Chen, T., Stansberry, S., & Woehler, D. (2014). Impact of pediatric obesity on grades in elementary school. The Journal of Applied Research on Children, 5, Article 11.

Baranowski, T., O'Connor, T., Johnston, C. A., Hughes, S., Moreno, J. P., Chen, T., Baranowski J. (2014). Seasonal differences in child weight gain: A narrative review. Childhood Obesity, 10(1), 18-24.

Spielmann, G., Johnston, C., O’Connor, D., Foreyt, J., Simpson, R. (2014). Excess body mass is associated with T cell differentiation indicative of immune aging in children. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 176(2), 246-254.

Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2014). Barriers to physical activity in women. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 164-166.

Johnston, C. A., & Moreno, J. P. (2014). Pregnancy: A time of increased focus on health. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 93-96.

McFarlin, B. K., Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). Mexican-American children have different elevation of metabolic biomarkers that is proportional to obesity status. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 57(6), 718-721.

Johnston, C. A., Rost, S., Miller-Kovach, K., Moreno, J. P., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). A randomized controlled trial of a community-based behavioral counseling program. American Journal of Medicine, 126(12), 1143.e19-1143.e1124.

Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2013). Consistent components of behavior change theories. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8, 25-27.

Johnston, C. A., & Papaioannou, M. A. (2013). The need for trained professionals to support social policy. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 379-381.

Johnston, C. A., & Papaioannou, M. A. (2013). Lifestyle approach for increasing physical activity in youth. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 307-309.

Johnston, C. A., Stevens, B. E., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). The role of low calorie sweeteners in diabetes. European Endocrinology, 9(2), 96-98.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., El-Mubasher, A., Gallagher, M., Tyler, C., & Woehler, D. (2013). Impact of a school based pediatric obesity prevention program facilitated by health professionals. Journal of School Health, 83, 171-181.

McFarlin, B., Johnston, C. A., Carpenter, K., Davidson, T., Moreno, J. P., Strohacker, K., Breslin, W., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). A one-year school-based diet/exercise intervention improves non-traditional disease biomarkers in Mexican-American children. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 9, 524-532.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., Gallagher, M. R., Wang, J., Papaioannou, M. A., Tyler, C. L., & Foreyt, J.P. (2013). Achieving long-term weight maintenance in Mexican American adolescents with a school-based intervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, 335-341.

Moreno, J. P., Johnston, C. A., El-Mubasher, A., Papaioannou, M. A., Tyler, C., Gee, M., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). Peanut consumption in adolescents is associated with improved weight status. Nutrition Research, 33, 552-556.

Moreno, J. P., Johnston, C. A., & Woehler, D. (2013). Changes in weight over the school year and summer vacation: Results of a 5-year longitudinal study. Journal of School Health, 83, 473-477.

Johnston, C. A., & Stevens, B. E. (2013). Motivational interviewing in the health care setting. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 246-249.

Johnston, C. A. (2013). Promotion of sun-protective behaviors. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 186-188.

Johnston, C. A. (2013). Predictors of successful weight loss. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 115-117.

Johnston, C. A., Stevens, B. E., & Foreyt, J. P. (2013). The role of low calorie sweeteners in diabetes. US Endocrinology, 9, 13-15.

Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2012). The role of confirmation bias in the treatment of diverse patients. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7, 20-22.

Johnston, C. A. (2012). The impact of weight-based discrimination in the healthcare setting. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 452-454.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., El-Mubasher, A. A., & Woehler, D. L. (2012). School lunches and lunches brought from home: A comparison. Childhood Obesity, 8, 364-368.

Johnston, C. A. (2012). Increasing activity in older adults: A review of the Look AHEAD Trial. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 387-389.

Johnston, C. A., & Moreno, J. P. (2012). Active commuting to school. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 303-305.

Johnston, C. A., & Moreno, J. P. (2012). Lifestyle modification: A primary prevention approach to colorectal cancer. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 216-218.

Breslin, W. L., Johnston, C. A., Strohacker, K., Carpenter, K. C., Davidson, T. R., Moreno, J. P., … McFarlin, B. K. (2012). Obese Mexican American children have elevated MCP-1, TNF-α, monocyte concentration, and dyslipidemia. Pediatrics, 129, e1180-e1186.

Johnston, C. A., Moreno, J. P., Regas, K., Tyler, C, & Foreyt, J. P. (2012). The application of the Yerkes-Dodson law in a childhood weight management program: Examining weight dissatisfaction. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 37, 674-679.

Moreno, J. P., & Johnston, C. A. (2012). Successful habits of weight losers. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 113-115.

Johnston, C. A. (2012). Inflammation: Continued support for a small changes approach. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6, 18-20.

Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., Stansberry, S. A., Moreno, J. P., & Foreyt, J. P. (2012). Brief report: Gum chewing affects standardized math scores in adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 455-459.

Johnston, C. A., Fullerton, G., Moreno, J. P., Tyler, C., & Foreyt, J. P. (2011). Evaluation of treatment effects in obese children with co-morbid medical or psychiatric conditions. Georgian Medical News, 196-197, 93-100.

Moreno, J. P., Kelley, M. L., Landry, D. N., Paasch, V. Terlecki, M. A., Johnston, C. A., & Foreyt J. P. (2011). Development and validation of the Family Health Behavior Scale. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 6, e480-e486.

Johnston, C. A., Palcic, J. L., Tyler, C, Stansberry, S. A., Reeves, R., & Foreyt, J. P. (2011). Increasing vegetable intake in Mexican American youth: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111, 716-720.

Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., Palcic, J. L., Stansberry, S. A., Gallagher, M. R., & Foreyt, J. P. (2011). Smaller weight changes in standardized body mass index in response to treatment as weight classification increases. Journal of Pediatrics, 458, 624-627.

Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., Poston, W. S. C., Haddock, C. K., McFarlin, B., Reeves, R., & Foreyt, J. P. (2010). Effects of a school-based weight maintenance program for Mexican American children: Results at 2 years. Obesity, 18, 542-547.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 49, 450-455.

Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., Dalton, W. T., & Foreyt, J. P. (2009). Relationships between weight and body dissatisfaction, body esteem, and teasing in African American girls. Journal of Black Psychology, 35, 125-132.

Dalton, W. T., Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., & Foreyt, J.P. (2008). Brief report: Weight dissatisfaction, weight status, and weight loss in Mexican-American children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33, 673-677.

Rosno, E. A., Steele, R. G., Johnston, C. A., & Aylward, B. S. (2008). Parental locus of control: Associations to adherence and outcomes in the treatment of pediatric overweight. Children’s Health Care, 37, 126-144.

Johnston, C.A., Tyler, C., McFarlin, B.K., Poston, W.S., Haddock, C.K., Reeves, R., & Foreyt, J.P. (2007). Weight loss in overweight Mexican American children: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics, 120, e1450-e1457.

Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., & Foreyt, J. P. (2007). Behavioral management of obesity. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 9, 448-453.

Fullerton, G., Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., Vincent, J. P., Harris, G., & Foreyt, J. P. (2007). Quality of life in Mexican American children following a weight management program. Obesity (Silver Spring), 15(11), 2553-2556.

Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., Fullerton, G., Poston, W. S. C., Haddock, C. K., McFarlin, B., ... Foreyt, J. P. (2007). Results of an intensive school-based weight loss program with overweight Mexican American children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2, 144-152.

McFarlin, B. K., Johnston, C. A., Tyler, C., Hutchison, A. T., Kueht, M., Reeves R. S., & Foreyt, J. P. (2007). Inflammatory markers are elevated in Mexican-American children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2, 235-241.

Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., & Foreyt. J. P. (2007). Themed review: Lifestyle management of obesity. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 1, 423-429.

Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., Fullerton, G., & Foreyt, J. P. (2007). Reduced quality of life in very overweight Mexican American adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, 366-368.

Johnston, C. A., & Steele, R. S. (2007). Treatment of pediatric overweight: An examination of feasibility and effectiveness in an applied clinical setting. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32, 106-110.

Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., Madhukar, M., & Foreyt, J. P. (2005). Practical strategies for treating obesity in Mexican Americans. Obesity Management, 1, 247-250.

Herrera, E. A., Johnston, C. A., & Steele, R. G. (2004). A comparison of cognitive and behavioral treatments for pediatric obesity. Children’s Health Care, 33, 151-167.

Johnston, C. A., Herrera, E. A., Steele, R. G., & Phipps, S. (2003). Parent and child reporting of negative life events: Discrepancy and agreement across pediatric samples. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28, 579-588.

Vernberg, E. M., & Johnston, C. A. (2001). Developmental considerations in the use of cognitive therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 15, 223-237.

Education

B.S. in Psychology at Iowa State University, 1996

M.S. in Clinical Psychology at Southwest Missouri State University, 2000

Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology at University of Kansas, 2004