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Barbara Sternfeld, PhD

Barbara Sternfeld, PhDKaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 891-3717 (phone)
barbara.sternfeld@kp.org

Barbara Sternfeld, PhD, is a senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. She has been with the Division of Research since 1985. Dr. Sternfeld’s training is in epidemiology and exercise science, and she has many years of experience with large, prospective cohort studies, specifically the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) and SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation). Her most recent studies include Project ALIVE! (A Lifestyle Intervention Via E-Mail), a randomized trial of a diet and physical activity intervention (funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the NIH-funded On the Move, a validation study involving the development of a cell phone application for recording physical activities. In 1996, Dr. Sternfeld was awarded the Sport Science Award of the International Olympic Committee President for her paper on exercise and pregnancy outcome. She currently serves as a member of Kaiser Permanente’s Central Research Committee.

Current Position(s):

  • Research Scientist III, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Primary Research Interests:

  • Physical activity epidemiology
  • Physical activity measurement
  • Exercise and women's health
  • Menopause
  • Physical activity and cancer
  • Body composition
  • Physical activity, physical function and aging
  • Promotion of physical activity

Related Web sites

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Diet and Activity Promotion among Older Working Adults

The goal of this study is to enhance ALIVE (A Lifestyle Intervention Via Email), which is an email-based diet and physical activity intervention program that was effective in a randomized trial among KP regional employees, to make it particularly relevant for older workers. The study will also test the enhanced program in a randomized trial among workers 55 to 65 and will evaluate its cost effectiveness.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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MsFLASH (Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health), aka "MSI-FLASH"

This study will conduct randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of exercise, yoga, paced respiration, SSRIs and low-dose estrogens for treating menopausal symptoms.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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ALIVE (A Lifestyle Intervention Via Email) for Older Workers

This study aims to modify the ALIVE program to make it more relevant for workers ages 55 to 64, and to test the efficacy of the modified version in a randomized trial that also includes an evaluation of adding printed intervention materials to the messages delivered by email.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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Accuracy of Physical Activity Measures in Cancer Studies ("On the Move")

This study identifies and quantifies the measurement error associated with two self-administered physical activity (PA) questionnaires using a cell phone-based physical activity diary and accelerometry.
Funder: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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Genetic Epidemiology of Ovarian Aging ("Genetics of Ovarian Aging" or "OVA")

This study examines the relationships between ovarian age, as reflected by the number of antral follicles, and specific genetic olymorphism that influence both initial oocyte pool and rate of oocyte depletion.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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E-mail-based Diet and Activity Promotion in Worksites (or "A Lifestyle Intervention Via Email" [ALIVE])

This study is a randomized trial to determine the efficacy of a cost-effective, four-month computerized diet and physical activity intervention program, delivered by e-mail, within the worksite environment.
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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Sleep During Perimenopause in a Multi-ethnic Cohort (SWAN sub-study)

This study is a longitudinal analysis of the relations between quality of sleep and menopausal status and symptoms.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

This study follows a large multi-ethnic sample of premenopausal women through the menopausal transition in order to investigate the influence of biological and social/cultural factors on age at menopause, symptoms of menopause and change in disease risk factor status.
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Principal Investigator: Sternfeld, Barbara

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Are changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in midlife women due to chronological aging or to the menopausal transition?

Matthews, K. A.; Crawford, S. L.; Chae, C. U.; Everson-Rose, S. A.; Sowers, M. F.; Sternfeld, B.; Sutton-Tyrrell, K.;
J Am Coll Cardiol   54 (25): 2366-73
Dec 15 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Correlates of prostate-specific antigen testing in a large multiethnic cohort

Haque, R.; Van Den Eeden, S. K.; Jacobsen, S. J.; Caan, B.; Avila, C. C.; Slezak, J.; Sternfeld, B.; Loo, R. K.; Quinn, V. P.;
Am J Manag Care   15 (11): 793-9
Nov 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Generational status and duration of residence predict diabetes prevalence among Latinos: the California Men's Health Study

Ahmed, A. T.; Quinn, V. P.; Caan, B.; Sternfeld, B.; Haque, R.; Vandeneeden, S. K.;
BMC Public Health   9 (1): 392
Oct 19 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Cognitive Functioning Is Related to Physical Functioning in a Longitudinal Study of Women at Midlife

Ford, K.; Sowers, M.; Seeman, T. E.; Greendale, G. A.; Sternfeld, B.; Everson-Rose, S. A.;
Gerontology  
Oct 10 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Racial Disparities in Erectile Dysfunction among Participants in the California Men's Health Study

Smith, J. F.; Caan, B. J.; Sternfeld, B.; Haque, R.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Quinn, V. P.; Shan, J.; Walsh, T. J.; Lue, T. F.; Jacobsen, S. J.; Van Den Eeden, S. K.;
J Sex Med  
Sep 30 2009
PubMed abstract »

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A walk (or cycle) to the park: active transit to neighborhood amenities, the CARDIA study

Boone-Heinonen, J.; Jacobs, D. R., Jr.; Sidney, S.; Sternfeld, B.; Lewis, C. E.; Gordon-Larsen, P.;
Am J Prev Med   37 (4): 285-92
Oct 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Gains in Body Fat and Vasomotor Symptom Reporting Over the Menopausal Transition: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Thurston, R. C.; Sowers, M. R.; Sternfeld, B.; Gold, E. B.; Bromberger, J.; Chang, Y.; Joffe, H.; Crandall, C. J.; Waetjen, L. E.; Matthews, K. A.;
Am J Epidemiol  
Aug 12 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Statin Use and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Cohort of Middle-Aged Men in the US: A Prospective Cohort Study

Flick, E. D.; Habel, L. A.; Chan, K. A.; Haque, R.; Quinn, V. P.; Van Den Eeden, S. K.; Sternfeld, B.; Orav, E. J.; Seeger, J. D.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Caan, B. J.;
Drugs   69 (11): 1445-57
 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Active commuting and cardiovascular disease risk: the CARDIA study

Gordon-Larsen, P.; Boone-Heinonen, J.; Sidney, S.; Sternfeld, B.; Jacobs, D. R., Jr.; Lewis, C. E.;
Arch Intern Med   169 (13): 1216-23
Jul 13 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Improving diet and physical activity with ALIVE: a worksite randomized trial

Sternfeld, B.; Block, C.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Block, T. J.; Husson, G.; Norris, J. C.; Nelson, M.; Block, G.;
Am J Prev Med   36 (6): 475-83
Jun 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Lipid changes during the menopause transition in relation to age and weight: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Derby, C. A.; Crawford, S. L.; Pasternak, R. C.; Sowers, M.; Sternfeld, B.; Matthews, K. A.;
Am J Epidemiol   169 (11): 1352-61
Jun 1 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Association of 20-year changes in cardiorespiratory fitness with incident type 2 diabetes: the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) fitness study

Carnethon, M. R.; Sternfeld, B.; Schreiner, P. J.; Jacobs, D. R., Jr.; Lewis, C. E.; Liu, K.; Sidney, S.;
Diabetes Care   32 (7): 1284-8
Jul 2009
PubMed abstract »

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The impact of physical activity level on SF-36 role-physical and bodily pain indices in midlife women

Dugan, S. A.; Everson-Rose, S. A.; Karavolos, K.; Sternfeld, B.; Wesley, D.; Powell, L. H.;
J Phys Act Health   6 (1): 33-42
Jan 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Association of adolescent obesity and lifetime nulliparity-The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Polotsky, A. J.; Hailpern, S. M.; Skurnick, J. H.; Lo, J. C.; Sternfeld, B.; Santoro, N.;
Fertil Steril  
Jan 29 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Physical activity questionnaire comprehension: lessons from cognitive interviews

Altschuler, A.; Picchi, T.; Nelson, M.; Rogers, J. D.; Hart, J.; Sternfeld, B.;
Med Sci Sports Exerc   41 (2): 336-43
Feb 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Physical activity and risk of recurrence and mortality in breast cancer survivors: findings from the LACE study

Sternfeld, B.; Weltzien, E.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Castillo, A. L.; Kwan, M.; Slattery, M. L.; Caan, B. J.;
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev   18 (1): 87-95
Jan 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Longitudinal association of anthropometry with mammographic breast density in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Reeves, K. W.; Stone, R. A.; Modugno, F.; Ness, R. B.; Vogel, V. G.; Weissfeld, J. L.; Habel, L. A.; Sternfeld, B.; Cauley, J. A.;
Int J Cancer   124 (5): 1169-77
Mar 1 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Black-White differences in hysterectomy prevalence: the CARDIA study

Bower, J. K.; Schreiner, P. J.; Sternfeld, B.; Lewis, C. E.;
Am J Public Health   99 (2): 300-7
Feb 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Fifteen-year longitudinal trends in walking patterns and their impact on weight change

Gordon-Larsen, P.; Hou, N.; Sidney, S.; Sternfeld, B.; Lewis, C. E.; Jacobs, D. R., Jr.; Popkin, B. M.;
Am J Clin Nutr   89 (1): 19-26
Jan 2009
PubMed abstract »

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Development of Alive! (A Lifestyle Intervention Via Email), and its effect on health-related quality of life, presenteeism, and other behavioral outcomes: randomized controlled trial

Block, G.; Sternfeld, B.; Block, C. H.; Block, T. J.; Norris, J.; Hopkins, D.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Husson, G.; Clancy, H. A.;
J Med Internet Res   10 (4): e43
 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Sensitivity and specificity of recalled vasomotor symptoms in a multiethnic cohort

Crawford, S. L.; Avis, N. E.; Gold, E.; Johnston, J.; Kelsey, J.; Santoro, N.; Sowers, M.; Sternfeld, B.;
Am J Epidemiol   168 (12): 1452-9
Dec 15 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Pre-diagnosis body mass index, post-diagnosis weight change, and prognosis among women with early stage breast cancer

Caan, B. J.; Kwan, M. L.; Hartzell, G.; Castillo, A.; Slattery, M. L.; Sternfeld, B.; Weltzien, E.;
Cancer Causes Control   19 (10): 1319-28
Dec 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus among Hispanic women

Chasan-Taber, L.; Schmidt, M. D.; Pekow, P.; Sternfeld, B.; Manson, J. E.; Solomon, C. G.; Braun, B.; Markenson, G.;
J Womens Health (Larchmt)   17 (6): 999-1008
Jul-Aug 2008
PubMed abstract »

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The Pathways Study: a prospective study of breast cancer survivorship within Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Kwan, M. L.; Ambrosone, C. B.; Lee, M. M.; Barlow, J.; Krathwohl, S. E.; Ergas, I. J.; Ashley, C. H.; Bittner, J. R.; Darbinian, J.; Stronach, K.; Caan, B. J.; Davis, W.; Kutner, S. E.; Quesenberry, C. P.; Somkin, C. P.; Sternfeld, B.; Wiencke, J. K.; Zheng, S.; Kushi, L. H.;
Cancer Causes Control   19 (10): 1065-76
Dec 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Predictors of excessive and inadequate gestational weight gain in Hispanic women

Chasan-Taber, L.; Schmidt, M. D.; Pekow, P.; Sternfeld, B.; Solomon, C. G.; Markenson, G.;
Obesity (Silver Spring)   16 (7): 1657-66
Jul 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Ethnic differences in C-reactive protein concentrations

Kelley-Hedgepeth, A.; Lloyd-Jones, D. M.; Colvin, A.; Matthews, K. A.; Johnston, J.; Sowers, M. R.; Sternfeld, B.; Pasternak, R. C.; Chae, C. U.;
Clin Chem   54 (6): 1027-37
Jun 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Physical activity and mammographic density in a cohort of midlife women

Oestreicher, N.; Capra, A.; Bromberger, J.; Butler, L. M.; Crandall, C. J.; Gold, E. B.; Greendale, G. A.; Modugno, F.; Sternfeld, B.; Habel, L. A.;
Med Sci Sports Exerc   40 (3): 451-6
Mar 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Childbearing may increase visceral adipose tissue independent of overall increase in body fat

Gunderson, E. P.; Sternfeld, B.; Wellons, M. F.; Whitmer, R. A.; Chiang, V.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Lewis, C. E.; Sidney, S.;
Obesity (Silver Spring)   16 (5): 1078-84
May 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Changes over 14 years in androgenicity and body mass index in a biracial cohort of reproductive-age women

Sternfeld, B.; Liu, K.; Quesenberry, C. P., Jr.; Wang, H.; Jiang, S. F.; Daviglus, M.; Fornage, M.; Lewis, C. E.; Mahan, J.; Schreiner, P. J.; Schwartz, S. M.; Sidney, S.; Williams, O. D.; Siscovick, D. S.;
J Clin Endocrinol Metab   93 (6): 2158-65
Jun 2008
PubMed abstract »

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Factors associated with worsening and improving urinary incontinence across the menopausal transition

Waetjen, L. E.; Feng, W. Y.; Ye, J.; Johnson, W. O.; Greendale, G. A.; Sampselle, C. M.; Sternfield, B.; Harlow, S. D.; Gold, E. B.;
Obstet Gynecol   111 (3): 667-77
Mar 2008
PubMed abstract »