COVID-19 Updates:

COVID-19 Safety Plan for Summer 2021 Prospective Students New Students Returning Students Faculty and Staff
Menu Close
Susan Groth, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP
Susan Groth, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP
  • Currently Accepting PhD Students

Bio

Sue Groth centers her research on the study of obesity and the behavioral, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to this complex disease. Specifically, Groth is interested in weight gain among pregnant women and the long-term effects of that weight on both mothers and their children.

The overall goal of Groth’s research is to develop interventions to prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy. She has used focus groups to gain an understanding of how pregnant African American women view weight gain, physical activity, and diet, and has studied the effect of genetic variations on weight gain.

Her research has been funded by national organizations such as the National Institute of Nursing Research, and she served as a co-investigator on a project funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that explored the use of electronic technology to promote healthy pregnancies among women.

Groth’s work is informed by her 25-year career as a women’s health care practitioner, primarily caring for low-income underserved women and teens.


Current Focus

"As a nurse scientist my goal is to improve the health of individuals, particularly as it relates to obesity. Obesity is a complex disease that is the result of genetic and environmental components. My research is focused on behavioral, genetic and environmental factors that contribute to obesity. As a women's health nurse practitioner my particular interest is the weight that women gain during childbearing and the long-term effects of that weight gain on both mothers and their children. The examination of gene x environment interactions is central to my research. My interest in the problem of obesity stems from years of practice where women frequently lamented that they gained weight when they had their children and then never lost it."

“The examination of gene x environment interactions is central to my research.”


Professional Experience
Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Rochester (teaching/research), Rochester, NY, US. 7/2013 - Current

Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Rochester (teaching/research), Rochester, NY, US. 7/2007 - 7/2013

WHNP, Hillside Family of Agencies (OB/GYN care), Rochester, NY, US. 1994 - 2012

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, University of Rochester (teaching/research/practice), Rochester, NY, US. 7/2004 - 6/2007

WHNP, St Joseph's Neighborhood Center, Rochester, NY, US. 1994 - 2007

Senior Associate, University of Rochester (teaching/practice/doctoral program), Rochester, NY, US. 1999 - 6/2004

Instructor of Clinical Nursing, University of Rochester (teaching/practice), Rochester, NY, US. 1994 - 1998

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, William J Hicks, MD, PC (NP practice), Rochester, NY, US. 1/1993 - 12/1993

Staff Nurse, Strong Memorial Hospital (Newborn Nursery), Rochester, NY, US. 8/1990 - 12/1992

staff nurse, The Genesee Hospital (newborn nursery level I & Level II), Rochester, NY, US. 1975 - 1990

Awards
Terry Family Research Fund Award
URSON, 2015

Listed as one of the 20 outstanding professors of women's health
Sechel Ventures, 2015

Dr Margaret Comerford Freda Saving Babies Award
AWHONN/March of Dimes, 2013

Fellow in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2012

Promising New Investigator Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2010

Intramural Research Traineeship: Summer Genetics Institute at National Institutes of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Nursing Research, 2006

Katharine Donohoe Scholarly Practitioner Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2004

Outstanding Scholarly Practitioner
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2002

Outstanding Student Poster Presentation
Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2001

Honorary Member Keadeians, University of Rochester
University of Rochester, 2000

Induction into Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi
Sigma Theta Tau, 1992

Summa Cum Laude
Roberts Wesleyan College, 1975

Presentations
Gestational weight gain matters
OB/GYN Research workshop, URMC OB/GYN Department, 2016
Rochester, New York

Identification of the gene-gene interactions associated with the risk of essential hypertension in the Framingham Heart Study population
Annual 28th Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The complexities of gestational weight gain and downstream effects
Grand rounds, UR Public Health Grand Rounds, 2015
Rochester, New York

The dietary choices of low-income, pregnant African-American women
Convention, AWHONN, 2015
Long Beach, California

Genetic risk alleles and the gestational weight gain of black women
2014 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2014
Washington, District Of Columbia

Dried Blood Spots: A Methodology for Integration of Biomarkers into Behavioral Research
Annual 26th Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2014
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

e-Moms Roc: A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Using Electronic Media.
Seminar Series, UR Clinical Translational Science Institute, 2013
Rochester, New York

Eighteen years after pregnancy adolescent gestational weight gain still affects body mass index
AWHONN, 2013
Nashville, Tennessee

Racial differences in body mass index, affective symptoms and inflammatory markers during pregnancy and postpartum in low-income women
Annual 25th Scientific Sessions, ENRS, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts

Pregnancy and weight: a program of research
UR School of Nursing National Council, UR School of Nursing, 2013
New York, New York

Physical Activity and Diet During Pregnancy: What Low-income, Pregnant African American Women Think
AWHONN Convention, AWHONN, 2012
National Harbor, Maryland

Towards an understanding of pregnancy weight gain in African-American women
International 41st Biennial Meeting, Sigma Theta Tau, 2011
Grapevine, Texas

Obesity and the GNB3 C825T Allele in Pregnant African American Women
25th Anniversary Concluding Scientific Symposium, Bringing Science to Life: A Healthier Tomorrow, NINR, 2011
Washington DC

Recruitment and retention of vulnerable populations: A panel
Study Coordinators Organization for Research and Education Half-day Workshop: Health Research Management for the Study Coordinator, University of Rochester, 2011
Rochester, New York

Limiting the phenotypic effects of pregnancy related weight gain: A
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) 25th Anniversary kick-off Symposium, Bringing Science to Life, NINR, 2010
Washington DC

Recruitment and retention of African-Americans for genetic studies
American Public Health Association 137th Annual Meeting and Exposition, American Public Health Association, 2009
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Genetics and genomics for the advanced practice nurse
14th Annual Preceptor Education Workshops, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2009
Rochester, New York

The phenotype of obesity
Fuld Lecture Series, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2009
Rochester, New York

Physical activity, nutritional intention, and general health risk in adolescent girls enrolled in a HIV intervention trial
Sigma Theta Tau International 40th Biennial Meeting, Sigma Theta Tau, 2009
Indianapolis, Indiana

Establishing a foundation for genetic-based behavioral research
National Clinical and Translational Research Education Annual Meeting, National Clinical and Translational Research, 2009
Washington DC

Establishing genetic based behavioral research
visit of Dr. Barbara Alving, Director of the National Center for Research Resources, University of Rochester CTSI, 2009
Rochester, New York

The G Protein B3 Subunit C825T Polymorphism and Maternal/Infant Weight
National State of the Science Congress in Nursing Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, 2006
Washington DC

New mother's views of exercise and weight.(preliminary findings)
Ecology of Obesity conference., Cornell University, 2005
Ithaca, New York

Adolescent weight gain during pregnancy and long term body mass index change
Annual conference, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2005
New York, New York

Adolescent weight gain during pregnancy and long term body mass index change
MCH epidemiology conference, CDC, 2004
Atlanta, Georgia

Pregnancy weight gain and body mass index 5 years later.
Biennial Convention, American Nurses Association, 2002
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Development of the life disruption scale
Annual conference, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2002

Pregnancy weight gain and body mass index 5 years later
National Conference, NPWH, 2002
Phoenix, Arizona

Hormone replacement therapy, current practice and issues
Special Interest Group continuing Education, Genesee Valley Nurses Association, 2001
Rochester, New York

Pregnancy weight gain and body mass index 5 years later
Annual conference, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2001
Atlantic City, New Jersey

Publications
Yu Y., Burke L.E., Shen Q.W., Imes C.C., Sun R., Groth S., Zhang W., & Kalarchian M.A. (2020). A Qualitative Exploration of Patients' Experiences with Lifestyle Changes After Sleeve Gastrectomy in China. Obesity Surgery, 30 (8), 3127-3134. PMID: 32385666 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-020-04653-7

Groth, S.W. (2020). Pregnancy Weight: What Happens After Childbirth Matters. Journal of Women's Health. DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2019.8263

Rhee, H., Love, T., Groth, S.W., Annette, G., Tumiel-Berhalter, L., & Harrington, D. (2019). Associations between overweight and obesity and asthma outcomes in urban adolescents. The Journal of Asthma, 1-10. PMID: 31204534 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1633663

Steinl, G. K., Whisner, C. M., Pressman, E. K., Cooper, E. M., Groth, S. W., & O’Brien, K. O (2018). Patterns and Correlates of Self-Reported Physical Activity in a Cohort of Racially Diverse Pregnant Adolescents. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. PMID: 30223025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2018.09.003.

Holland, M. L., Groth, S. W., Smith, J. A., Meng, Y., & Kitzman, H. (2018). Low birthweight in second children after nurse home visiting.. Journal of Perinatology. PMID: 30214029 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0222-8

Meng Y., & Groth S. W. (2018). Fathers count: The impact of paternal risk factors on birth outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 22 (3), 401-408. PMID: 29218490 PMCID: PMC5892832 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-017-2407-8

Kueppers, J., Stein, K. F., Groth, S., & Fernandez, I. D. (2018). Maternal and child dietary intake: The role of maternal healthy-eater self-schema. Appetite, 125, 527-536. PMID: 29382553 PMCID: PMC5937934 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.014

Olson, C. M., Groth, S. W., Graham, M. L., Reschke, J. E., Strawderman, M. S., & Fernandez, I. D. (2018). The effectiveness of an online intervention in preventing excessive gestational weight gain: the e-moms roc randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 18 (1), 148. PMID: 29743026 PMCID: PMC5944067 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-1767-4

Meng, Y., Groth, S. W., Stewart, P., & Smith, J. A (2018). An exploration of the determinants of gestational weight gain in African American women: Genetic factors and energy expenditure. Biological Research for Nursing, 20 (2), 118-125.

Yeng, Y., Groth, S.W., Li, D. (2018). The Association between Obesity-Risk Genes and Gestational Weight Gain Is Modified by Dietary Intake in African American Women.. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. PMID: 29686896 PMCID: PMC5852892 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5080492

Alexander, SA., Kalmakis, K., Stewart Fahs, PS., Groth, SW., Chasens, ER. (2017). Biological markers in nursing research. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 25 (2), 275-291. PMID: 28789751 DOI: 10.1891/1061-3749.25.2.275

Groth S.W., LaLonde A., Wu T., Fernandez I.D. (2017). Obesity candidate genes, gestational weight gain, and body weight changes in pregnant women. Nutrition, 48, 61-66. PMID: 29469022 PMCID: PMC5857243 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.11.008

Groth, S.W., Holland, M.L., Smith, J.A., Meng, Y., Kitzman, H. (2017). Adolescent Gestational Weight Gain, Prepregnancy BMI Percentile and Offspring Outcomes at Age 18. Journal of Adolescent Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.05.005

Groth, S.W.; Holland, ML.; Smith, JA.; Meng, Y.; Kitzman, H. (2017). Effects of Gestational Weight Gain and Prepregnancy Body Mass Index in Adolescent Mothers on Weight and Body Mass Index of Adolescent Offspring. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Meng Y, Groth S, Quinn J, Bisognano J, Wu T (2017). An Exploration of Gene-Gene Interactions and Their Effects on Hypertension. International Journal of Genomics, 2017, Article ID 7208318.

Groth, SW; Stewart, PA; Ossip, DJ.; Block, RC.; Wixom, N; Fernandez, ID (2017). Micronutrient Intake is Inadequate for a Sample of Pregnant African-American Women. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117 (4), 589-598.

Meng, Ying; Groth, Susan; Stewart, Patricia (2017). Determinants of gestational weight gain: The impact of diet, genes, and energy expenditure. FASEB JOURNAL, 31 (1), Ib304.

Dye, TDV., Li, D., Demment, M., Groth, S., Fernandez, ID., Dozier, A., Chang, J (2016). Sociocultural variation in attitudes toward use of genetic information and participation in genetic research by race in the United States: Implications for precision medicine. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 1-5.

McKee, KS., Seplaki, C., Fisher, S., Groth, SW., Fernandez, ID (2016). Cumulative Physiologic Dysfunction and Pregnancy: Characterization and Association with Birth Outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-016-2103-0

Groth, SW., Simpson, AH., Fernandez, ID. (2016). The Dietary Choices of Women Who Are Low-Income, Pregnant, and African American. J Midwifery & Women's, 1-7.. DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12463

Groth, S. W. Dozier, A. Demment, M. Li, D. Fernandez, I. D. Chang, J. Dye, T. (2016). Participation in Genetic Research: Amazon's Mechanical Turk Workforce in the United States and India. , 19 (6), 325-335.

Fernandez ID, Groth SW, Reschke JE, Graham ML, Strawderman M, Olson CM (2015). Electronically-Mediated Weight Interventions for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Study Design and Baseline Characteristics. Contemporary Clinical Trials.

Groth, SW & Morrison-Beedy D (2015). GNB3 and FTO Polymorphisms and Pregnancy Weight Gain in Black Women. Biological Research for Nursing, 17 (4), 405-12.

Tantillo, M, McGraw, JS, Hauenstein, EJ, & Groth, SW (2015). Partnering with patients and families to develop an innovative Multifamily Therapy Group treatment for adults with Anorexia Nervosa. Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research and Practice.

Holland, ML, Groth SW. , Kitzman H (2015). Gestational Weight Gain and Health Outcomes 18 Years Later in Urban Black Women. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 19 (10), 2261-71.

Groth SW, Rhee H, Kitzman H (2015). Relationships among obesity, physical activity and sedentary behavior in young adolescents with and without lifetime asthma. J Asthma., 19, 1-6.

Lowmaster Csont, G, Groth, SW, Hopkins, P, & Guillet, R (2014). An evidence based approach to breastfeeding neonates at risk for hypoglycemia. JOGNN, 43, 71-81.. DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12272

Robertson Blackmore, E, Groth, S, Chen, D, Gilchrist, M, O'Connor, TG (2014). Depressive symptoms and proinflammatory cytokines across the perinatal period in African American women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 35 (1), 8-15.

Groth, SW., Holland, ML, Kitzman, H., Meng, Y. (2013). Gestational weight gain of African American adolescents affects body mass index 18 years later.. JOGNN, 42, 541-550;. DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12230

Groth, SW, Morrison-Beedy, D (2013). Low-income, Pregnant African American Women's Views on Physical Activity and Diet. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 58 (2), 195-202.

Groth, S.W., Morrison-Beedy, D., & Meng, Y. (2012). How Pregnant African-American Women View Pregnancy Weight Gain.. JOGNN, 41, 798-808.

Groth, SW & Morrison-Beedy, D. (2011). Obesity risk in urban adolescents:. Journal of the New York State Nurses Association..

Groth, S.W., Norsen, L., & Kitzman, H. (2010). Long-term outcomes of advanced practice nursing. In M. D. Mezey., D. o. McGivern., E.M. Sullivan-Marx., & S. A. Greenberg (Eds.), Nurse practitioners: The evolution and future of advanced practice (5th ed.). New Springer.

Groth, S.W., Morrison-Beedy, D. (2010). Smoking, substance use, and mental health correlates in urban adolescent girls.. Journal of Community Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10900-010-9340-8

Groth, S.W. (2010). Honorarium or coercion: Use of incentives for participations in clinical research.. The Journal of the New York Nurses Association. Spring/Summer, 11-13.

Groth, S.W. (2010). Adiponectin and polycystic ovary syndrome.. Biological Research for Nursing.

Groth, S. W. & Kearney, M. H. (2009). Diverse Women's Beliefs about Weight Gain in Pregnancy. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 54, 452-457.

Groth, SW. David, T (2008). New mothers' views of exercise and weight. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 33 (6), 364-370.

Groth, SW (2008). The long term impact of adolescent gestational weight gain. RINAH, 31, 108-118.

Groth, S (2007). Are the institute of medicine recommendations for gestational weight gain appropriate for adolescents?. JOGNN, 36, 21-27.

Groth, S (2006). Adolescent gestational weight gain: Does it contribute to obesity?. MCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 31 (2), 101-105.

Kitzman, H., & Groth, S (2003). Long-term outcomes of advanced practice nursing. Nurse practitioners: Evolution of advanced practice.

Ryan, S., D'Aoust, R., Groth, S., McGee, K., & Small, L. (1997). A faculty on the move into the community. Nursing and Health Care Perspectives, 18 (3), 138-141, 149..

Hill, D., Hinton-Walker, P., Groth, S., Chevalier, N., & Springer, A., (1995). Adolescent care: Community-based faculty practice in a nursing center. Nursing Centers: The Time Is Now.

Projects
Longitudinal Changes in Weight and Biology in the Pregnancy-Postpartum Period and Subsequent Cardiometabolic Risk
NIH/NINR
4/1/2018 - 1/31/2023
Role: MPI
PI: Susan Groth, Thomas O’Connor and Emily Barrett

Delineation of the biopsychosocial risks of obesogenic eating behaviors
NIH
9/25/2019 - 7/31/2022
Role: Co-Mentor
PI: Ying Meng