Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute

Wendy L. Ward-Begnoche, PhD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/College of Medicine

Director of Psychology Training, Section of Pediatric Psychology, Arkansas Children's Hospital

Phone: 501-364-1021

Research Overview

The prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity is the primary focus of Dr. Ward-Begnoche’s research. Her research activities involve school-based and community-based prevention programs. Dr. Ward-Begnoche is a principal investigator for a prevention/intervention program being conducted at a Little Rock middle school. This structured program is manual based, and it is instructor led to small groups of students. The program involves nutrition education, physical activity and education, and coping strategies to energize and motivate participants towards behavioral change. Her intervention activities undertake a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating psychology, physical therapy, nutrition, and medicine. She is principal investigator on a grant evaluating depression, social anxiety, self-esteem, externalizing difficulties, sleep, and fatigue in severely overweight youth (>95 th percentile BMI). In the future, Dr. Ward-Begnoche plans to continue her interests in intervention and/or prevention of pediatric obesity.

Dr. Ward-Begnoche’s other pediatric research projects include coping with medical illness and injury—the emotional reaction to being chronically ill or seriously injured. She has been involved grant-funded work screening pediatric ER patients for PTSD symptoms. In the context of her interest in adjustment to chronic illness, Dr. Ward is currently working on projects involved pediatric sleep disorders and pediatric chronic pain.

Key Publications

Ward-Begnoche, W.L., Thompson, J. (in press). Communication Barriers in Treating Overweight Youth. Invited submission to Special Issue on Pediatric Obesity, Journal of Specialists in Pediatric Nursing.

Ward-Begnoche, W.L., et al. (in press). Case Study of the Design and Implementation of School-Based Obesity Prevention Program Addressing Middle School Students. Journal of Applied School Psychology. 24 (2).

Ward-Begnoche, W.L. (2007). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the pediatric intensive care unit. Journal of Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. 12 (2), 84-92.

Ward-Begnoche, W.L., Speaker, S. (2006). Overweight Youth: Changing behaviors that are barriers to health. Journal of Family Practice. 55, 957-963.

Ward-Begnoche, W.L., Aitken, M., Liggen, R., et al. (2006). Emergency Department Screening of PTSD in Injured Children. Injury Prevention. 12(5), 323-326.

Ward-Begnoche, W.L., Gance-Cleveland, B. (2005). Promoting Behavioral Change in Overweight Youth. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 19, 312-322.
Gance-Cleveland, B., Harris, M., Ward-Begnoche, W.L. (2005). Working with schools to connect with families and overweight children. Journal of Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. 10 (5), 40-43.

Research Support

Dean’s Research Development Fund (UAMS). Principal Investigator. “Emotional and Behavioral Correlates of Overweight Children and Youth.” (2006)

Blue and You Foundation. Principal Investigator. “Community-based Investigation of Obesity Prevention in Schools.” A community-based collaboration for an obesity prevention project in middle schools. (2006)

American Heart Association (AHA), Heartland Affiliate. Consultant. “Use of ketamine prior to cardiopulmonary bypass in children.” January 2006. Principal Investigator: Adnan Bhutta, MBBS. (2006)

American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Tomorrow’s Partnership for Children Program (HTPC) Grant. Consultant “Creating Opportunities to Combat Obesity in Arkansas ( COCOA).” Principal Investigator: Karen Young, MD. (2004-2006).

Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Co-Investigator. “The feasibility and efficacy of a school-based obesity prevention intervention for middle school students” in response to a call for grants on prevention and/or treatment of pediatric overweight. Principal Investigator: Bonnie Gance-Cleveland, RNP, PhD. (2004)

Dean’s/CUMG Research Development Fund (UAMS). Co-Investigator. “Use of ketamine prior to cardiopulmonary bypass in children.” Principal Investigator: Adnan T. Bhutta, MBBS. (2003)

Dean’s/CUMG Research Development Fund (UAMS). Co-Investigator. “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after Pediatric Injury.” Principal Investigator: Rebecca Liggin, MD. (2003)