Heather Hausenblas, PhD, is a physical activity and healthy aging expert, researcher, and author. She obtained her Doctorate from The University of Western Ontario, Canada. She was a faculty member and the Director of the Exercise Psychology lab at the University of Florida from 1998 to 2012. She is currently the Associate Dean of the School of Applied Health Sciences and a Professor of Kinesiology at Jacksonville University in the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. Her research focuses on the psychological effects of health behaviors, in particular physical activity and diet, across the lifespan. She examines the effects of physical activity and diet on body image, mood, adherence, quality of life, and excessive exercise.
Dr. Hausenblas has been recognized for her research, and she has been the recipient of several awards including the Sport Science Award of the International Olympic Committee. Dr. Hausenblas is the co-author of five scientific books, and she has published over 100 scientific journal articles. She has conducted over 200 national and international scientific presentations. She has also been the receipt of several research grants to examine the psychological effects of physical activity across the lifespan and its relationship to “healthy aging”. She writes a monthly Fit Life column for the Florida Times Union and a biweekly column for U.S. News and World Report (Eat + Run).
Dr. Hausenblas serves as a Scientific Advisor for nutrition and health companies. She is a mom to three young boys, and she enjoys exercising outdoors, spending time with her family and friends, and coaching and watching her sons play sports. She resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and boys.