Connie Tompkins, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology
Office: 310D Rowell
Phone: (802) 656-3817
Email: Connie.Tompkins@uvm.edu
Dr. Connie Tompkins is an assistant professor of exercise physiology with expertise in the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity. She is director of both the multi-disciplinary, pediatric weight management program, REWARD TEENS at UVM, and the before-school, physical activity program at Malletts Bay School in Colchester, VT. As a member of the Physical Activity and Wellness Laboratory, her current research interests include perception of physical activity in healthy weight and obese adolescents, incentives to increase physical activity in obese children and adolescents, and the association of inhibitory control and obesity in adolescents. Dr. Tompkins also currently teaches two courses, Exercise in Health and Disease in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program and Health Fitness Specialist in the undergraduate Exercise and Movement Science program.
Education
Postdoctoral Researcher, Endocrinology, Tulane University School of Medicine
Ph.D., Exercise Physiology and Curriculum & Instruction, University of New Orleans
Research Interests
Perception of physical activity in healthy weight and obese adolescents
Incentives to increase physical activity in obese children and adolescents
Inhibitory control and obesity in adolescents
Current projects include:
- Efficacy of a clinic-based, multi-disciplinary, pediatric weight management program
- Effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on the attenuation of metabolic risk factors in obese adolescents
- Effect of a before-school, moderate to vigorous physical activity program in 3rd-5th graders
- The role of weight loss and physical activity on cognitive function in healthy weight and obese adolescents
Selected Publications
Brock DW, Tompkins CL, Gower BA, and Hunter GR. Influence of resting energy expenditure on blood pressure is independent of body mass and a marker of sympathetic tone. Metabolism (2011). (Abstract)
Tompkins, CL., Moran, K., Preedom, S., Brock, DW. Physical Activity-Induced Improvements in Markers of Insulin Resistance in Overweight and Obese Children and Adolescents. Current Diabetes Reviews, 2011, 7(3): 164-170.
Brock DW, Tompkins CL, and Maynard A. Treating obesity, physical inactivity, and chronic disease. NATA, 2011; 6: 22-23.
Tompkins, C., Cefalu, W., Ravussin, E., Goran, M., Soros, A., Volaufova, J., Vargas, A., Sothern, MS. Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Testing Prior to Puberty: Challenging, Yet Feasible. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2010, 5(1):51-55. (Abstract)
Larson-Meyer, DE., Newcomer, BR., VanVrancken-Tompkins, CL., Sothern, MS. Feasibility of Assessing Liver Lipid by Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Healthy Normal and Overweight Prepubertal Children. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, 2010 12(3): 207-212. (Abstract)
Loftin, M., Sothern, M., Tuuri, G., Tompkins, C., Koss, C., Bonis, M. Gender Comparison of Physiologic and Perceptual Responses in Recreational Marathon Runners. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2009, 4(3):307-316. (Abstract)
Tompkins, C., Soros, A., Sothern, M., Vargas, A. Effects of physical activity on diabetes management and lowering risk for type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Health Education, Sept-Oct 2009.
VanVrancken-Tompkins CL, Sothern MS. Preventing obesity in children birth to five years. In: Tremblay, RE, Barr RG, Peters RDeV, eds. Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development [online]. Montreal, Quebec: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development; 2006:1-7. Available at: http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca
VanVrancken-Tompkins, C., Sothern, M., Bar-Or, O. Strengths and Weaknesses in the Response of the Obese Child to Exercise in Handbook of Pediatric Obesity: Clinical Management, Ed. Sothern, M., von Almen, TK, Gordon, S., 2006, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL.
Sothern, M., VanVrancken-Tompkins, C., Carlisle, L. Pediatric Obesity Dietary Approaches: A Survey of the Options in Handbook of Pediatric Obesity: Clinical Management, Ed. Sothern, M., von Almen, TK, Gordon, S., 2006, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL.
Schumacher, H., VanVrancken-Tompkins, C., Sothern, M. Nutrition Education in Handbook of Pediatric Obesity: Clinical Management, Ed. Sothern, M., von Almen, TK, Gordon, S., 2006, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL.
Sothern, M., VanVrancken-Tompkins, C., Brooks, C., Thelin, C. Increasing Physical Activity in Overweight Youth in Clinical Settings in Handbook of Pediatric Obesity: Clinical Management, Ed. Sothern, M., von Almen, TK, Gordon, S., 2006, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL.