Match tier
Listed
Presence
Current · Arkansas
Last published
2026
Sources
OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed
2026-10-09
M
Michael R. Thomsen
Federal Grant PI
High Impact
Professor and Governor Sidney S. McMath Chair in Obesity Prevention, Director Center for the Study of Obesity
Also affiliated: University of Minnesota (1997); National Bureau of Economic Research (2016–2018); United States Census Bureau (2024); University of Arkansas System (2013–2017); Arkansas Children's Research Institute (2026)
Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health
20 h-index
128 pubs
1,633 cited
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Michael R. Thomsen's research focuses on public health, with a particular emphasis on obesity prevention and the impact of food environments on health outcomes. He holds the Governor Sidney S. McMath Chair in Obesity Prevention and directs the Center for the Study of Obesity, Health Policy & Management at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His work investigates the complex relationships between socioeconomic factors, food access, and health, including studies on food insecurity and its association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomsen has also examined the influence of fast-food restaurants and food deserts on childhood obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI) in elementary schoolchildren.
His federally funded research includes projects aimed at understanding the impact of school meal delivery on behavioral disorders in children from health disparity populations and initiatives to improve opportunities for physical activity through community engagement. Thomsen's scholarship metrics indicate a significant body of work, with an h-index of 20, 174 total publications, and 1,644 total citations. He has served as PI on two federal grants totaling $677,692 from the National Institutes of Health, supporting his research in child health and physical activity.
Thomsen collaborates with researchers across the University of Arkansas system, including notable partnerships with Erin K. Howie at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Kari A. Weber, Matthew J. Barenie, and Anthony Goudie at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He leads a research group and is recognized as a high-impact researcher.
Metrics
- h-index: 20
- Publications: 128
- Citations: 1,633
Positions
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Professor and Governor Sidney S. McMath Chair in Obesity Prevention, Director Center for the Study of Obesity 2021–presentUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health Institutional directory
Selected Publications
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Universal Free School Meals and Medicaid Spending: Evidence from Linked Education and Claims Data in Arkansas (2026)
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A Longitudinal Cohort Study of the Costs of Adolescent Obesity Into Young Adulthood (2026)
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Do Universal Free School Meals Improve the Dietary Quality of Food‐At‐Home Purchases? (2026)
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Variation in Rates of ADHD Diagnoses Across Public Schools in Arkansas (2026)
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Universal free meals and school suspensions (2026)
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Co-occurring substance use disorders and the compounding effect of kratom on serious mental illness, US, 2021–2023 (2026)
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Abstract 884: Waist-hip ratio (WHR) defined obesity phenotype and risk of diabetes in cancer survivor women from Sister Study. (2026)
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Proceedings from Nourish Now: A science dialogue on improving adolescent health through nutrition (2026)
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Income Persistence and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes (2026)
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ECIN Replication Package for "Universal Free Meals and School Suspensions" (2026)
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Quantifying Cancer Burden Attributable to Obesity: Highlighting the Disparities by Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in a Rural State with High Obesity and Cancer Burden. (2025)PubMed OpenAlex
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Physical activity level among male and female middle to high school students and impact of perceived school climate: a longitudinal analysis (2025)
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Playing Alone: Recess Physical Activity and Social Interactions of Children with and Without Obesity and Severe Obesity (2025)
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The relationship between aging out of the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children assistance and weight status in kindergarten (2025)
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Examining relationships between U.S. children's physical activity levels during recess, school days, and weekend days (2025)
Federal Grants 2 $677,692 total
NIH
Contact PI
Jun 2023 - May 2027
NIH
Contact PI
Sep 2022 - Apr 2027
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- SNAP Purchasing Power and Food Insecurity During the Pandemic Robert Wood Johnson Foundation via University of Florida Principal Investigator
- HOPE for Cancer: Healthy Outcomes through Produce Prescriptions and Education National Institute of Food and Agriculture Principal Investigator
- Impact of Universal School Meals UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J: Food EducatioN for Nutritional security and Empowerment in Local communities (FENNEL) National Science Foundation via University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Principal Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
Rodolfo M. Nayga
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (US)
28 shared publications
- The effect of fast-food restaurants on childhood obesity: A school level analysis
- Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a survey of low-income Americans
- Dollar stores and food deserts
- Determinants of Food Deserts
- Do fast food restaurants surrounding schools affect childhood obesity?
Showing 5 of 28 shared publications
Clare C. Brown
Arkansas Department of Health
9 shared publications
In database
- Income variability and incident cardiovascular disease in diabetes: a population-based cohort study
- Risk of adverse infant outcomes associated with maternal mental health and substance use disorders
- Impact of the 2022 Infant Formula Shortage on Self-Reported Rates of Anxiety and Depression
- Longitudinal associations of sustained low or high income and income variability with incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective population-based cohort study
- Abstract 4865: Income dynamics and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
Heather L. Rouse
Iowa State University (US)
8 shared publications
- Food environment and childhood obesity: the effect of dollar stores
- Neighbourhood convenience stores and childhood weight outcomes: an instrumental variable approach
- The Effect of Neighborhood Fast Food on Children’s BMI: Evidence from a Sample of Movers
- Middle school transition and body weight outcomes: Evidence from Arkansas Public Schoolchildren
- Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer‐effect analysis in public schools
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
Andres Cuadros‐Meñaca
University of Northern Iowa (US)
7 shared publications
- School breakfast and student behavior
- The effect of breakfast after the bell on student academic achievement
- The Effect of School Breakfast on Student Behavior: An Evaluation of Breakfast After the Bell
- The effect of breakfast after the bell on student academic achievement
- Evaluation of Delivering Breakfast After the Bell and Academic Performance Among <scp>Third‐Grade</scp> Children: An Application of the Synthetic Control Method
Showing 5 of 7 shared publications
Benjamin C. Amick
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
7 shared publications
In database
- Income variability and incident cardiovascular disease in diabetes: a population-based cohort study
- Risk of adverse infant outcomes associated with maternal mental health and substance use disorders
- Longitudinal associations of sustained low or high income and income variability with incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective population-based cohort study
- Abstract 4865: Income dynamics and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based cohort study
- Fairness in Low Birthweight Predictive Models: Implications of Excluding Race/Ethnicity
Showing 5 of 7 shared publications
Jebaraj Asirvatham
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (US)
6 shared publications
- Do fast food restaurants surrounding schools affect childhood obesity?
- Peer‐Effects in Obesity among Public Elementary School Children: A Grade‐Level Analysis
- Childhood obesity and academic performance among elementary public school children
- Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer‐effect analysis in public schools
- Peer-Effects on Childhood Obesity: An Instrumental Variables Approach on Exogenously Assigned Peers
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Di Fang
University of Florida (US)
6 shared publications
- Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a survey of low-income Americans
- WIC Participation and Relative Quality of Household Food Purchases: Evidence from FoodAPS
- MOVE MORE, GAIN LESS: EFFECT OF A RECREATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM ON CHILDHOOD BMI
- Identifying Arkansas Food Desert Blocks Suitable for a Peer-to-Peer Modeled Food Redistribution Program
- WIC Participation and Relative Quality of Household Food Purchases: Evidence from FoodAPS
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Anthony Goudie
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- Do fast food restaurants surrounding schools affect childhood obesity?
- MOVE MORE, GAIN LESS: EFFECT OF A RECREATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM ON CHILDHOOD BMI
- The effect of gender-specific labor market conditions on children’s weight
- Impact of Weight Status Reporting on Childhood Body Mass Index
- The Relationship between Aging Out of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Assistance (WIC) and Weight Status in Kindergarten
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Matthew J. Barenie
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- Evaluation of the Little Rock Green Schoolyard initiative: a quasi-experimental study protocol
- Where the children play: Gender gaps in recess physical activity by age and playground area
- Examining relationships between U.S. children's physical activity levels during recess, school days, and weekend days
- Assessing the Impact of Air Quality and Heat on Recess Physical Activity in School Children
- Mosaic of Movements: Relationships between Children's Physical Activity Levels During Recess, School Days, and Weekend Days
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Erin K. Howie
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
6 shared publications
In database
- Evaluation of the Little Rock Green Schoolyard initiative: a quasi-experimental study protocol
- Where the children play: Gender gaps in recess physical activity by age and playground area
- Examining relationships between U.S. children's physical activity levels during recess, school days, and weekend days
- Assessing the Impact of Air Quality and Heat on Recess Physical Activity in School Children
- Mosaic of Movements: Relationships between Children's Physical Activity Levels During Recess, School Days, and Weekend Days
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Kari A. Weber
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- Evaluation of the Little Rock Green Schoolyard initiative: a quasi-experimental study protocol
- Where the children play: Gender gaps in recess physical activity by age and playground area
- Examining relationships between U.S. children's physical activity levels during recess, school days, and weekend days
- Assessing the Impact of Air Quality and Heat on Recess Physical Activity in School Children
- Mosaic of Movements: Relationships between Children's Physical Activity Levels During Recess, School Days, and Weekend Days
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Mario Schootman
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
6 shared publications
In database
- Income variability and incident cardiovascular disease in diabetes: a population-based cohort study
- Longitudinal associations of sustained low or high income and income variability with incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective population-based cohort study
- Abstract 4865: Income dynamics and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based cohort study
- Quantifying Cancer Burden Attributable to Obesity: Highlighting the Disparities by Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in a Rural State with High Obesity and Cancer Burden.
- Income Persistence and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Jennie Popp
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
5 shared publications
In database
- Economic Analysis of Investing in Open-field or High Tunnel Primocane-fruiting Blackberry Production in Northwestern Arkansas
- Evaluating Greenhouse Tomato and Pepper Input Efficiency Use in Kosovo
- Evaluating Greenhouse Tomato and Pepper Input Efficiency Use in Kosovo
- Identifying Arkansas Food Desert Blocks Suitable for a Peer-to-Peer Modeled Food Redistribution Program
- Assessing government grants: evidence from greenhouse tomato and pepper farmers in Kosovo
Andrew M. McKenzie
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
4 shared publications
In database
- Market Incentives for Safe Foods: An Examination of Shareholder Losses from Meat and Poultry Recalls
- How do you straddle hogs and pigs? Ask the Greeks!
- Characterizing implied volatility functions from agricultural options markets
- Was there a peso problem in cattle options?
Yong‐Moon Park
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- Income variability and incident cardiovascular disease in diabetes: a population-based cohort study
- Longitudinal associations of sustained low or high income and income variability with incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective population-based cohort study
- Abstract 4865: Income dynamics and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based cohort study
- Quantifying Cancer Burden Attributable to Obesity: Highlighting the Disparities by Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in a Rural State with High Obesity and Cancer Burden.
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