Lauren T. Ptomey, PhD, RD, LD

Professional Background

Dr. Ptomey is an Associate Professor for the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience working within the research field with expertise in weight management, physical activity, aging, and individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Ptomey graduated with her PhD in Medical Nutrition Sciences and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in physical activity assessment and delivery.
In 2015, she joined the Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management in the Department of Internal Medicine. She is also the Director of the Brain Health in Down Syndrome program at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Scientific Director of Clinical Research at the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition.

• BS, Nutrition and Dietetics, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
• MS, Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
• PhD, Medical Nutrition Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Physical Activity and Energy Balance, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

• Licensed Dietitian , Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition

• Healthy Weight Research Network for Adolescents with IDD/ASD, Pilot and Feasibility Core Member , Member, 2020 - Present
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pocket Guide to Children with Special Health Care and Nutritional Needs, Member, 2018 - 2018
• Healthy Weight Research Network for Adolescents with IDD/ASD, Core Member- Dissemination Committee, 2017 - Present
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair, 2013 - 2014
• American College of Sports Medicine, Member, 2012 - Present
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Member, 2006 - Present

Research

Overview

Dr. Ptomey's primary research focus is the promotion of weight management and physical activity in individuals with disabilities (intellectual and developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's disease), and the impact of diet and physical activity on body composition, cognition, and metabolism in this population. Her secondary research focus is the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in adults with Down syndrome.

• A Dyadic Approach for a Remote Physical Activity Intervention in Adults with Alzheimer's Disease and their Caregivers, NIA, PI
• The Promotion of Physical Activity for the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease in Adults with Down Syndrome, NIA, PI
• The impact of Weight Loss on Alzheimer’s Disease Risk in Adults with Down Syndrome, NIA, PI
• Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium – Down Syndrome , NIA

• Ptomey, L., T, Washburn, R., A, Goetz, J., R, Sullivan, D., K, Gibson, C., A, Mayo, M., S, Krebill, R, Gorczyca, A., M, Montgomery, R., N, Honas, J., J, Helsel, B., C, Donnelly, J., E. 2021. Weight Loss Interventions for Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: An RCT.. Pediatrics, 148 (3)
• Ptomey, L., T, Wittenbrook, W. 2015. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and special health care needs.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115 (4), 593-608
• Curtin, C, Hyman, S., L, Boas, D., D, Hassink, S, Broder-Fingert, S, Ptomey, L., T, Gillette, M., D, Fleming, R., K, Must, A, Bandini, L., G. 2020. Weight Management in Primary Care for Children With Autism: Expert Recommendations.. Pediatrics, 145 (Suppl 1), S126-S139
• Ptomey, L., T, Szabo, A., N, Willis, E., A, Gorczyca, A., M, Greene, J., L, Danon, J., C, Donnelly, J., E. 2018. Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome.. Disability and health journal, 11 (3), 486-490
• Ptomey, L., T, Steger, F., L, Lee, J, Sullivan, D., K, Goetz, J., R, Honas, J., J, Washburn, R., A, Gibson, C., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2018. Changes in Energy Intake and Diet Quality during an 18-Month Weight-Management Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118 (6), 1087-1096
• McClung, H., L, Ptomey, L., T, Shook, R., P, Aggarwal, A, Gorczyca, A., M, Sazonov, E., S, Becofsky, K, Weiss, R, Das, S., K. 2018. Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Assessment: Current Tools, Techniques, and Technologies for Use in Adult Populations.. American journal of preventive medicine, 55 (4), e93-e104
• Willis, E., A, Szabo-Reed, A., N, Ptomey, L., T, Steger, F., L, Honas, J., J, Al-Hihi, E., M, Lee, R, Lee, J, Oh, Y, Washburn, R., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2017. Distance learning strategies for weight management utilizing online social networks versus group phone conference call.. Obesity science & practice, 3 (2), 134-142
• Ptomey, L., T, Herrmann, S., D, Lee, J, Sullivan, D., K, Rondon, M., F, Donnelly, J., E. 2013. Photo-assisted recall increases estimates of energy and macronutrient intake in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113 (12), 1704-9
• Ptomey, L., T, Willis, E., A, Honas, J., J, Mayo, M., S, Washburn, R., A, Herrmann, S., D, Sullivan, D., K, Donnelly, J., E. 2015. Validity of energy intake estimated by digital photography plus recall in overweight and obese young adults.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115 (9), 1392-9
• Ptomey, L., T, Willis, E., A, Greene, J., L, Danon, J., C, Chumley, T., K, Washburn, R., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2017. The Feasibility of Group Video Conferencing for Promotion of Physical Activity in Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.. American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 122 (6), 525-538