Rate My Professor Melinda Valliant

Dr. Melinda Valliant is a Professor of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi. She serves as Director of the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Co-Director of the Center for Health and Sports Performance, Associate Dean of the School of Applied Sciences, and Interim Dean of the School of Applied Sciences. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in 1988, a Master of Science in Exercise Science in 1994, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Science in 2005, all from the University of Mississippi. Joining the faculty in January 2007, she advanced to Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management in 2020. Dr. Valliant is a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian, and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She received the Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award from the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Her research focuses on sports nutrition in collegiate athletes, nutrition knowledge and behaviors in different populations, sports nutrition knowledge, body composition as it relates to diet, disordered eating, weight management, and corporate wellness. Key publications include 'Nutrition education by a registered dietitian improves dietary intake and nutrition knowledge of a NCAA female volleyball team' (Nutrients, 2012), 'Food insecurity is associated with disordered eating behaviors in NCAA division 1 male collegiate athletes' (Journal of American College Health, 2020), 'Association between athletic participation and the risk of eating disorder and body dissatisfaction in college students' (International Journal of Health Sciences, 2017), 'Higher amounts of body fat are associated with inadequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D in African American women' (Nutrition Research, 2011), and 'Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for RDNs in Sports and Human Nutrition' (2021). She has mentored numerous master's students and twelve doctoral students, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, and provides counseling on performance nutrition and disordered eating.