School of Health Sciences

Education

Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Connecticut Health Center, Center on Aging

Ph.D. Purdue University 

M.S. University of Connecticut 

B.S. University of Connecticut

Biography

Dr. Hutchins-Wiese’s research career has centered around the use of nutrition in the prevention and/or treatment of chronic disease related disability. With this central focus, she has studied the impact of omega-3 fatty acids and Mediterranean Diet on bone and muscle health in postmenopausal women. She is also interested in the fundamentals of nutrition assessment and diet and food waste as factors in planetary health. She enjoys mentoring students through the research process and observing students grow as researchers and critical thinkers. Dr. Hutchins-Wiese mentors undergraduate and graduate students to complete research projects which have resulted in presentations at
state and national professional meetings and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Dr. Wiese’s research interests include:   

• • Older adults
  • Physical function and loss of independence 
  • Frailty 
  • Arthritis
  • Mediterranean diet
  • Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • Dietary and lifestyle interventions
  • Dietary assessment
  • Food waste
  • Sustainability
  • Planetary health
  • Interprofessional education

Publications

Book Chapter:

Hutchins-Wiese HL. Nutrition for Women. In: Alexander IM, Johnson-Mallard V, Kostas-Polston EA, Cappiello JD, Hubbard HS, editors; Fogel CI, Woods NF, emeritus editors. Women’s Health Care in Advanced Practice Nursing, Third Ed. New York. Springer Publishing Company; 2024. Chapter 13, pp 247-279.

Select Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles: 

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Powell S, Ford O, Spitzer T. Mother’s Initiating Lactation during COVID-19(MILC) at a single U.S. Military Hospital. Military Medicine. 2024 June 25. Epub. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae321

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Argeros G, Walsh SE. Frailty and Nutrition Risk Predict Falls and Emergency Department Visits in Home-Delivered Meal Clients. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2023 Jan; Epub, ahead of print. doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2023.2167030

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Bales CW, Porter-Starr KN. Mediterranean Diet Scoring Systems: Understanding the Evolution and Applications for Mediterranean and Non-Mediterranean Countries. British Journal of Nutrition. 2021 July 22; 1-22. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1017/S0007114521002476.

Angastinioti E, Zakrajsek AG, Hutchins-Wiese HL. An Exploratory Study Examining Mediterranean Diet Perceptions, Eating Practices, and Food Choice of Emerging Adults from Cyprus and the United States. World Nutrition. 2020 Dec;11(4):22-43.

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Walsh, SE. Frailty and nutrition risk screening in home-delivered meal clients. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2020 April-Jun;39(2):114-130.Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Bihuniak J, Ramos A, Huedo-Medina T, Kleppinger A, Hutchins-Wiese H, Kerstetter J, Kenny AM. Adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and its impact on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016 Nov;116(11):1767-1775. 

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Picho K, Watkins BA, Yong L, Tannenbaum S, Claffey K, Kenny AM. High dose eicosapenatenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation reduces bone resorption in postmenopausal women on aromatase inhibitors: a pilot study. Nutr Cancer. 2014;66(1):68-76.

Mangano KM, Hutchins-Wiese HL, Kenny AM, Walsh SJ, Abourizk RH, Bruno RS, Lipcius R, Fall P, Kleppinger A, Kenyon-Pesce L, Prestwood KM, Kerstetter JE. Soy Proteins and isoflavones impact on serum lipids and inflammatory markers in older women: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr Res. 2013 Dec;33(12):1026-33

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Kleppinger A, Annis K, Liva, E, Lammi-Keefe C, Durham H, Kenny AM.  The impact of supplemental long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary antioxidants on physical performance in older postmenopausal women. J Nutr Health Aging. 2013 Jan;17(1):76-80

Hutchins-Wiese HL, Li Y, Hannon K, Watkins BA. Hind limb suspension and long-chain omega-3 PUFA increase mRNA endocannabinoid system levels in skeletal muscle. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Aug; 23(8):986-93.

Hutchins HL, Li Y, Hannon K, Watkins BA. Eicosapentaenoic acid decreases expression of anandamide synthesis enzyme and cannabinoid receptor 2 in osteoblast-like cells.  J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Feb;22(2):195-200. 

Duffy VB, Lanier SA, Hutchins HL, Pescatello LS, Johnson MK, Bartoshuk LM. Food preference questionnaire as a screening tool for assessing dietary risk of cardiovascular disease within health risk appraisals. J Am Diet Assoc 2007 Feb:107(2):237-45. 

Courses

DTC 375- Integrative Medicine
DTC 430- Community Nutrition
DTC 500- Research Methods

Professional

Professional Awards and Recognitions:  

James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and Innovation, 2022.

Summer Research Award, 2019

Josephine Nevins Keal Professional Development Fellowship, 2016

Faculty Research Fellowship, 2016/2017

College of Health and Human Services Marshall Award for Research, 2015

Jo-Anne Smith, MD, Memorial Fund Research Award, 2011

UConn Center on Aging Day, Clinical Research Poster Award, 2010

Practice Experience:  

Dr. Hutchins-Wiese has practiced in acute care hospitals, research, and the supplement industry.