WVU professor joins national effort to empower women over 50 with StrengthenHER program

Melissa Ventura Marra, associate professor of human nutrition and foods in the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is part of a multistate research team awarded a $1,091,218 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support women’s health and well-being as they age. The project, called StrengthenHER, is an innovative virtual exercise and nutrition program designed to support women over 50 by reducing the risk of sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia—a condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass, strength and function—affects not only functional ability, making everyday activities like climbing stairs difficult, but it can also make managing diabetes and weight more difficult. Treatment for sarcopenia is lacking, making prevention especially important.

The StrengthenHER program will address these issues head-on. Through 32 hours of virtual engagement, including on-demand strength-training videos and weekly nutrition and activity lessons, it will offer a flexible, at-home solution tailored to the needs and preferences of middle-aged and older women. The program, provided free-of-charge to participants, will also provide promotional materials, training resources and an online course for seamless delivery.

Read the full story here and see below for additional details about the program's timeline and next steps. 

Interested in getting involved with the StrengthenHer program?