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Britta Larsen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at UCSD. She received a PhD in Experimental Psychology from UCSD with a focus in social and health psychology, then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Behavioral Medicine in the UCSD School of Medicine. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion and behavioral management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in underserved populations. She is also interested in the association of health behavior and body composition, and how these influence chronic disease epidemiology.


Research Projects

Niñas Saludables: Development and Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Latina Girls

It is estimated that more than half of Latinas born in this century will eventually develop type II diabetes. Adolescence is a time when health behaviors develop that often carry through to adulthood, thus it is a critical period in which to intervene and introduce life-long health behaviors like regular physical activity. However, to date there are no physical activity interventions specifically for young Latinas. This project focuses on developing a web-based, theory driven physical activity intervention specifically for Latina adolescents that will be informed by a parent study with Latina adults and driven by formative research. (R03NR014329, PI - Larsen)

Primary Care-Based Physical Activity for Diabetic Latinas

Physical activity adoption is now considered standard of care for diabetes management, yet promotion of physical activity in primary care settings is limited by physician time, training, and resources. Latinas in particular may have limited access to behavioral management programs due to language, cultural, transportation, and other barriers. The aim of this study is to develop a culturally and linguistically adapted web-based physical activity program for Latinas seeking primary care treatment for type II diabetes. (K01DK101650, PI - Larsen)

Dr. Larsen also is involved in studies promoting physical activity in Latina adults and Latino men. She has also studied body composition and chronic disease using data from the Rancho Bernardo Study, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and the Healthy Aging and Body Composition Study.