Webinars

Optimizing Protein Intake in Pediatric Nutrition: Guidelines, Protein Quality, and Clinical Applications

How can protein intake be optimized across pediatric populations to support growth and improve clinical outcomes?

Presenter(s): Heather Leidy, PhD, FASN

Moderator: Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Date: 30 September 2026

Time: Noon-1 PM ET

Location: Live webinar

Continuing Education Credits: Nurse Contact 1.0 CE; Dietitian 1.0 CPEU

Summary

In this free, live accredited webinar, Heather Leidy, PhD, FASN, will review current protein intake guidelines for children, explain the difference between protein quality in plant and animal-based sources, discuss the role of protein intake in the management of pediatric malnutrition and overnutrition, and translate the evidence into clinical practice and dietary guidance.

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Optimizing Protein Intake in Pediatric Nutrition: Guidelines, Protein Quality, and Clinical Applications

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Presenter Bio(s):

Heather J Leidy, PhD, FASN

Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences 
Department of Pediatrics College of Natural Sciences 
Dell Medical School 
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX, USA

Heather J Leidy, PhD, FASN, is currently a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics-Dell Medical School. Heather received her BS in Biology from Shippensburg University and went on to complete her MS and PhD in Physiology at Penn State University as well as a Post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Nutrition Science and Ingestive Behavior at Purdue University. Dr. Leidy’s research examines the effects of increased dietary protein and timing of consumption on the signals that promote satiety, healthy eating behavior, and weight management. She has been continuously funded by external grants, including NIH, for the past 20 years; has given 130 invited research talks; and has 90+ publications in this area. Lastly, Heather previously served on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory (DGA) Committee and co-wrote the protein report for the Scientific Foundation report that led to the development of the current 2025 DGA.

Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Manager, Pediatric Education 
Abbott Nutrition Health Institute
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ret.) 
Columbus, OH, USA

Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, is the Manager for Nursing Health Care Education for Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI) and a retired Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). Dr Kaminski received her MS in perinatal nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) from The Ohio State University. She has been working in neonatal nursing for over 40 years. She has worked as a clinical nurse specialist, program manager, and clinical nurse educator. Mary developed the NNP certificate program at the Columbus Children’s Hospital and went on to teach at The Ohio State University for over 12 years in their NNP Program. She has helped over 250 students become NNP’s over her career. Mary has been an active volunteer on the national and local levels for the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.  She is an accomplished author, having contributed to peer-reviewed journals and textbook chapters. Her interests include NNP education and professional development, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), and the surgical neonate.

Category
CE CPEU Pediatric Growth & Development

References:

  • Moshfegh AJ, Goldman JD, Anand J, et al. What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017–March 2020 prepandemic: documentation and data files. US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; 2022. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/continuousnhanes/default.aspx?Cycle=2017-2020
  • US Department of Agriculture; US Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th ed. US Department of Agriculture; 2020.
  • Agarwal S, Fulgoni VL 3rd. NHANES 2011–2018 analysis. Nutrients. 2023;15(10):2293. 
  • Bauer LB, Reynolds LJ, Douglas SM, et al. Int J Obes (Lond). 2015;39(9):1421-1424. 
  • Fulgoni VL 3rd, Agarwal S, Marinangeli CPF, Miller K. Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1158.