Amy Bodde, PhD, MPH

Professional Background

Dr. Bodde is a Research Assistant Professor at University of Kansas Medical Center. She is a health sciences researcher with expertise in physical activity promotion for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Her current research examines supports for caregivers of aging adults with Down syndrome.

• BS, Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University
• MPH, Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center
• PhD, Health Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Health Behavior , Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Health Services Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

• National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices , Member, 2024 - Present
• American College of Sports Medicine, Member, 2023 - Present
• Trisomy 21 Research Society, Member, 2023 - Present

---

Research

Overview

Dr. Bodde is trained in the design and evaluation of physical activity interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. She currently assesses the effect of physical activity on functional fitness, activities of daily living, and caregiver health in adults with Down syndrome. Additionally, she has co-developed the CareWell program, which combines yoga and guided social support group to reduce stress and promote wellbeing in caregivers of individuals with IDD. She is also using qualitative assessments to explore the experiences and needs of parent caregivers of adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. She is dedicated to community-engaged research which includes the perspectives of people with IDD and caregivers throughout the research process. Her recent work builds on partnerships with community organizations to expand the reach of health promoting interventions through implementation methods.

Dr. Bodde is recipient of an NIH Re-Entry Supplement from the National Institute on Aging, which supports the mentored retraining of health sciences faculty who have taken a career hiatus due to family caregiving or other obligations. In 2024, Dr. Bodde received a KL2 Award from the NIH National Center on Advancing Translational Sciences to adapt and test the Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease intervention for the needs of adults aging with Down syndrome and their caregivers.

• Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute at University of Kansas – Institutional Career Development Core- INCLUDE Supplement, NIH
• CareWell Community, KUMC Implementation Science for Equity Center

• Dodd Danica, Helsel Brian, Bodde Amy, Danon Jessica, Sherman Joseph, Donnelly Joseph, Washburn Richard, Ptomey Lauren. 2023. The Association of increased Body Mass Index on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Cognition in adults with Down Syndrome . Disability and Health Journal, 16 (4)
• Bodde Amy E, Helsel Brian C, Hastert Mary, Suire Kameron B, Washburn Richard A, Donnelly Joseph E, Ptomey Lauren T. 2022. The Prevalence of Obesity and Lifestyle Behaviors of Parents of Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 101430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101430
• Ptomey LT, Bodde AE, Hastert M, Suire KB, Helsel BC, Gorczyca AM, Washburn RA, Rice AM, Donnelly JE. 2022. Weight loss in adolescents with down syndrome compared to adolescents with other intellectual disabilities enrolled in an 18-month randomized weight management trial.. Frontiers in pediatrics, 10, 1022738
• Bodde Amy, Seo Dong-Chul, Frey Georgia, Lohrmann David, Van Puymbroeck Marieke. 2013. Correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation in adults with intellectual disabilities. Health Promotion Practice, 14 (5), 663-670
• Bodde Amy, Seo Dong-Chul, Frey Georgia, Van-Puymbroeck Marieke, Lohrmann David. 2012. The effect of a designed health education intervention on physical activity knowledge and participation of adults with intellectual disabilities. American Journal of Health Promotion, 26 (5), 313-316
• Bodde Amy, Seo Dong-Chul. 2009. A review of social and environmental barriers to physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 2 (2), 57-66
• Bodde Amy, Seo Dong-Chul, Frey Georgia. 2009. Correlation between physical activity and self-rated health status of non-elderly adults with disabilities. Preventive Medicine, 49, 511-514
• Bodde Amy E, Helsel Brian C, Sullivan Debra K, Donnelly Joseph E, Lee Daehyoung, Clina Julianne G, Ptomey Lauren T. 2024. Diet quality of Midwest adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and overweight/obesity differs by diagnosis but not by weight category. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 125 (3), 396-404
• Bodde Amy E, White David A, Forseth Bethany, Hastert Mary, Washburn Richard, Donnelly Joseph E, Sullivan Debra, Ptomey Lauren T. 2023. Parent factors associated with BMI, diet, and physical activity of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 16 (4)