Research:
Aging, nutrition, physical activity, and health promotion

Teaching:
Nutrition and chronic disease, current issues in foods

Outreach:
Nutrition, physical activity, and health promotion for older adults

Interests:
Dr. Johnson conducts research and health promotion programs with older people who receive community-based nutrition services. Her goals are to increase physical activity, improve dietary habits, and improve self-management of diabetes and other age-related conditions. She collaborates with many local, state, and federal agencies to improve the health and well being of older adults. Dr. Johnson is also part of a team of scientists funded by NIA to study centenarians (people aged 100 or older). Many students working with Dr. Johnson pursue the UGA Gerontology Certificate to enhance their careers in gerontology and nutrition. Graduates from Dr. Johnson's program are employed in academia and government, and as dietitians in nursing homes, home health care, hospitals, and community health promotion programs.

Education:

Selected Publications/Presentations:

Nutrition for Older Adults’ Health: NOAHnet : Website for nutrition education professionals, http://noahnet.myweb.uga.edu/

Live Well Age Well, a website for older adults, their families and caregivers, http://www.livewellagewell.info 

Publications - selected: 

2010

Johnson, M.A., Hausman, D.B., Davey, A., Poon, L.W. for the Georgia Centenarian Study. (2010). Predictors of vitamin B12 status in African American and white octogenarians and centenarians in Georgia, Journal of Health, Nutrition, and Aging, 14(5):339-45

Brewer, D.M., Catlett, C.S., Lee, J.S., Hausman D.B., Reddy, S., Johnson, M.A.  (2010). Physical limitations contribute to food insecurity and the food insecurity-obesity paradox in older adults at senior centers in Georgia, Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 29(2):150-69

Clune, A., Fischer, J.G., Lee, J.S., Reddy, S., Johnson, M.A., Hausman, D.B. (2010).  Prevalence and predictors of recommendations to lose weight in overweight and obese older adults in Georgia senior centers. Preventive Medicine, 51(1):27-30.

Lee, J.S., Fischer, J.G., Johnson, M.A. (2010). Food insecurity, food and nutrition programs, and aging: experiences from Georgia, invited review, Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 29(2):116-49.

Bengle, R., Sinnett, S., Johnson, T., Johnson, M.A., Brown, A., Lee, J.S. (2010). Food insecurity is associated with cost-related medication non-adherence in community-dwelling, low-income older adults in Georgia. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly. 29(2):170-91.

2009

Bell, M., Lommel, T., Fischer, J.G., Lee, J.S., Reddy, S., Johnson, M.A. for the Georgia Community Intervention. (2009). Improved recognition of heart attack and stroke symptoms after a community-based intervention for older adults, Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice and Policy, 6(2):A41, http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2009/Apr/08_0101.htm.

Moore, T.L., Cress, M.E., Johnson, M.A. (2009).  An evidence-based exercise program implemented in congregate-meal sites.  Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6(2):247-51.

Penn, D.M., Fischer, J.G., Lee, J.S., Hausman, D.B., Johnson, M. A. (2009). High BMI and waist circumference are associated with a high prevalence of comorbidities in Older Americans Act programs in Georgia senior centers.  Journal of Nutrition, Aging, and Health, 13(9):827-32.

Johnson, M. A., Kimlin, M. G., Porter, K. N. (2009). Vitamin D and injury prevention. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, September, doi:10.1177/1559827609348441 (OnlineFirstPDF or Epub ahead of print).  

2008

Fitzpatrick, S.E., Reddy, S., Lommel, T.S., Fischer, J.G., Speer, E.M., Stephens, H., Park, S., Johnson, M.A. for the Georgia Community Intervention. (2008). Physical activity and physical function improved following a community-based intervention in older adults in Georgia senior centers. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 27 (1-2).

 Hendrix, S.J., Fischer, J.G., Reddy, S., Lommel, T.S., Speer, E.M., Stephens, H., Park, S., Johnson, M.A. for the Georgia Community Intervention. (2008). Fruit and vegetable intake and knowledge increased following a community-based intervention in older adults in Georgia senior centers. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 27 (1-2).

Johnson, M.A., Fischer, J.G., Park, S. (2008). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the Georgia Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 27 (1-2), 29-46.

Johnson, M.A., Davey, A., Park, S., Hausman, D.B., Poon, L.W. for the Georgia Centenarian Study. (2008). Predictors of vitamin D status in African Americans and white octogenarians and centenarians in Georgia, Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging, 12(10):690-5.

Park, S., Johnson, M.A., Fischer, J.G. (2008). Practice guidelines for vitamin and mineral supplements for older adults: needs, barriers, and challenges. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 27(3-4):297-317.

Speer, E.M., Reddy, S., Lommel, T.S., Fischer, J.G., Park, S., Johnson, M.A. for the Georgia Community Intervention. (2008). Diabetes self-management behaviors and A1c improved following a community-based intervention in older adults in Georgia senior centers. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 27(1-2):179-200

2007

Houston, D.K., Cesari, M., Ferruci, L., Cherubini, A., Maggio, D., Bartali, B., Johnson, M.A., Schwartz, G.G., Kritchevsky, S.B. (2007). Association between vitamin D status and physical performance: The InCHIANTI Study, Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. 62(4):440-6.

Johnson, M.A. (2007). If high folic acid aggravates vitamin B12 deficiency then what should we do about it? Nutrition Reviews, 65(10):451-8.

Park, S., Johnson, M.A., Shea-Miller, K., De Chicchis, A.R. (2007). Hearing loss and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older adults. Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging, 11(6), 515-518.

Bishop, A., Martin, P., Courtenay, B., Poon, L. W., & Johnson, M. A. Gerontological Evaluation of the Religiosity in 5-D Scale (2007). Journal of Religion Spirituality and Aging, 19, 87-105.

Park, S., Johnson, M.A., Shea-Miller, K., De Chicchis, A.R., Allen, R.H., Stabler, S.P. (2007). Age-related hearing loss, methylmalonic acid, and vitamin B12 status in older adults. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 25(3-4):105-20.

Martin, P., Kliegel, M., Rott, C. Poon, L. W., & Johnson, M. A. (2008). Age differences and changes of coping behavior in three age groups: Findings from the Georgia Centenarian Study. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 66(2):97-114.

2006

Johnson, M.A., Kimlin, M.G. (2006). Vitamin D, aging and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Grand Rounds, Nutrition Reviews, 64: 410-421.

Johnson MA, Davey A, Hausman DB, Park S, Poon LW. (2006). Dietary differences between centenarians residing in communities and in skilled nursing facilities: the Georgia Centenarian Study. Age 28:333-41.

Martin, P., Bishop, A., Poon, L., Johnson, M.A. (2006). Influence of personality and health behaviors on fatigue in late and very late life. Journals of Gerontology, B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61(3), P161-6.  

Park, S., Johnson, M.A. (2006). What is an adequate dose of oral vitamin B12 in older people with poor vitamin B12 status? Nutrition Reviews, 64(8), 373-378.

Park, S., Johnson, M.A. (2006). Awareness of fish advisories and mercury exposure in women of childbearing age. Nutrition Reviews, 64(5 Pt 1), 250-6.

Redmond, E.H., Burnett, S.M., Johnson, M.A., Park, S., Fischer, J.G. & Johnson, T. (2006). ImprovementinA1C levels and diabetes self-management activities followinga nutritionand diabetes education programin older adults. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 26(1-2):83-102.

Sellers, T., Andress, E., Fischer, J.G., Johnson, M.A. (2006). Home food safety program for the Georgia Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 26(1-2):103-22.

Stabler, S.P., Allen, R.H., Dolce, E.T., Johnson, M.A. (2006). Elevated serum S-adenosylhomocysteine in cobalamin-deficient elderly and response to treatment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 84(6), 1422-9.

Stein, E. M., Laing, E. M., Hall, D. B., Hausman, D. B., Kimlin, M. G., Johnson, M. A., Modlesky, C. M., Wilson, A. R., & Lewis, R. D. (2006). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in girls aged 4-8 y living in the southeastern United States. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(1), 75-81.