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Stephen R. Cook, M.D., M.P.H.

Stephen R. Cook, M.D., M.P.H.

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Preventing Pediatric Obesity

Medicaid Medical Directors Network: Perspectives on Telehealth Modernization (PDF)

Being Cautious about Weightloss Surgery for Kids

Walmart Pulls Violent Video Games, Impact Unclear

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About Me

Dr Stephen Cook, MD, MPH, is dual trained in pediatric and adult-internal medicine. After completing his residency and a chief resident year in Buffalo NY, he joined the Golisano Children's Hospital at URMC in 2001. He completed an academic pediatric fellowship here, during which time he focused on ...
Dr Stephen Cook, MD, MPH, is dual trained in pediatric and adult-internal medicine. After completing his residency and a chief resident year in Buffalo NY, he joined the Golisano Children's Hospital at URMC in 2001. He completed an academic pediatric fellowship here, during which time he focused on his research and clinical aspects on nutrition, physical activity, obesity and the metabolic complications that arise. He currently sees patients as part of the general pediatric practice at strong, where he also teaches medical student and residents. He also serves as an attending on the inpatient service at the Golisano Children's Hospital at URMC.

Faculty Appointments

Adjunct Associate Professor - Department of Pediatrics, General Pediatrics (SMD)

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

General Academic Fellowship, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 2001 - 2004

Chief Resident in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 2000 - 2001

Combined Residency in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Graduate Medical-Dental Consortium, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 1996 - 2000

Education

MPH | University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. Public Health. 2007

MD | SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Medicine. 1996

BS | Niagara University. Biology. 1992

Awards

Award Winning Poster from the Health Services Research Section, The Obesity Society, National Meeting. 2015

United States Senate, Expert Testimony on behalf of the American Heart Association. 2014

Ruth A. Lawrence Academic Faculty Service Award in Community Service. 2013

Governor's Anti-Hunger Task Force. 2013 - 2015

The Millie and Richard Brock Award in Pediatrics. 2012

National Science Advocate of the Year. 2011 - 2011

Dr. David Satcher Award for Community Health Partnership. 2011 - 2011

Chairman, Membership Committee. 2011 - 2012

Fellow, The Obesity Society. 2011

Health and Nutrition Advocate of the Year. 2011

Special Achievement Award. 2011

NYS Advocate of the Year, American Heart Association. 2010 - 2010

Named to "America's Top Physicians". 2009

Named to the Rochester Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" award for outstanding community service by young professionals under. 2009

Named to "America's Top Family Doctors". 2009

Dean's Nomination for the Herbert W. Nickens Faculty Fellowship Award. 2008

Special Achievement Award. 2008

Named to "Best Doctors in America". 2007

Named to "America's Top Pediatricians". 2007

Extraordinary Service Award, Pediatric Residency. 2006 - 2007

Outstanding Hospital Faculty Teaching Award. 2005 - 2006

Samuel W. Clausen Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center and Golisano Children's Hospital at S. 2002 - 2003

Fellow. 2002

Dr. CP Varma Outstanding Resident Award, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. 2001

Niagara University Presidential Scholarship. 1998

Emilie Davis Rodenberg Memorial Award for the student most interested in the field of Endocrinology, SUNY at Buffalo School of M. 1996

Primary Care Resource Center Summer Externship Outstanding Student Award, SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY. 1994

Niagara Medal, Niagara University. 1992

Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society. 1991

Sigma Alpha Sigma Honor Society. 1991

Research

Dr. Cook's research focuses on childhood and adolescent obesity from the perspective of epidemiologic research on cardiovascular risk factors to clinical studies on approaches to prevention and intervention. The first area of research is focused on Metabolic Syndrome: a cluster of metabolic and card...
Dr. Cook's research focuses on childhood and adolescent obesity from the perspective of epidemiologic research on cardiovascular risk factors to clinical studies on approaches to prevention and intervention. The first area of research is focused on Metabolic Syndrome: a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular complications of obesity involving excess abdominal fat, elevated cholesterols, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high blood glucose. The other area of focus is Community and Health Services Research: involving identification, screening, prevention, and management of childhood obesity.

Publications

Journal Articles

Validation of remote child weight and height measurements within a weight management trial.

Button AM, Staiano AE, Beyl RA, Stein RI, Newton RL, Baker A, Lima A, Lindros J, Conn AM, Welch RR, Cook SR, Wilfley DE

Obesity.. 2024 April 32 (4):660-666. Epub 12/18/2023.

Parents, but not their children, demonstrate greater delay discounting with resource scarcity.

Button AM, Paluch RA, Schechtman KB, Wilfley DE, Geller N, Quattrin T, Cook SR, Eneli IU, Epstein LH

BMC public health.. 2023 October 1223 (1):1983. Epub 10/12/2023.

Relationships examined: Parent and child readiness to change and sociodemographic characteristics in family based weight loss treatment.

Ramel M, Wilfley DE, Tabak R, Lew D, Moursi NA, Kilanowski C, Cook SR, Eneli IU, Quattrin T, Schechtman KB, Epstein LH

Pediatric obesity.. 2023 September 18 (9):e13062. Epub 06/06/2023.

Family-Based Behavioral Treatment for Childhood Obesity Implemented in Pediatric Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Epstein LH, Wilfley DE, Kilanowski C, Quattrin T, Cook SR, Eneli IU, Geller N, Lew D, Wallendorf M, Dore P, Paluch RA, Schechtman KB

JAMA.. 2023 June 13329 (22):1947-1956. Epub 1900 01 01.

Key Predictors of Primary Care Providers' Self-Efficacy in Caring for Children with Overweight or Obesity.

Liebhart JL, Goodman AB, Lindros J, Krafft C, Cook SR, Baker A, Hassink SG

Academic pediatrics.. 2022 22 (7):1158-1166. Epub 03/03/2022.

Implementing family-based behavioral treatment in the pediatric primary care setting: Design of the PLAN study.

Epstein LH, Schechtman KB, Kilanowski C, Ramel M, Moursi NA, Quattrin T, Cook SR, Eneli IU, Pratt C, Geller N, Campo R, Lew D, Wilfley DE

Contemporary clinical trials.. 2021 October 109 :106497. Epub 08/10/2021.

Reply.

Belay B, Frintner MP, Liebhart JL, Lindros J, Harrison M, Dooyema CA, Hassink SG, Cook SR

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2019 December 215 :285-286. Epub 09/26/2019.

US Pediatrician Practices and Attitudes Concerning Childhood Obesity: 2006 and 2017.

Belay B, Frintner MP, Liebhart JL, Lindros J, Harrison M, Sisk B, Dooyema CA, Hassink SG, Cook SR

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2019 August 211 :78-84.e2. Epub 05/18/2019.

Clinical Considerations Regarding the Use of Obesity Pharmacotherapy in Adolescents with Obesity.

Srivastava G, Fox CK, Kelly AS, Jastreboff AM, Browne AF, Browne NT, Pratt JSA, Bolling C, Michalsky MP, Cook S, Lenders CM, Apovian CM

Obesity.. 2019 February 27 (2):190-204. Epub 1900 01 01.

Calculating a Continuous Metabolic Syndrome Score Using Nationally Representative Reference Values.

Guseman EH, Eisenmann JC, Laurson K, Cook SR, Stratbucker W

Academic pediatrics.. 2018 July 18 (5):589-592. Epub 02/26/2018.

"The Relative Costs of High vs. Low Energy Density Foods and More vs. Less Healthful Beverages Consumed by Children."

Evans, K, Stewart, P, Cook, S, Siplaki, C, Rich, D, Fernandez, I.

Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition On-line. 2018; : 1-15.

The Relative Costs of High- vs. Low-Energy-Density Foods and More vs. Less Healthful Beverages Consumed by Children.

Evans KA, Stewart PA, Cook SR, Seplaki CL, Rich DQ, Fernandez ID

Journal of hunger & environmental nutrition.. 2018 13 (2):240-254. Epub 01/02/2018.

Stigma Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Obesity.

Pont SJ, Puhl R, Cook SR, Slusser W, ,

Pediatrics.. 2017 December 140 (6)Epub 11/20/2017.

Improving access and systems of care for evidence-based childhood obesity treatment: Conference key findings and next steps.

Wilfley DE, Staiano AE, Altman M, Lindros J, Lima A, Hassink SG, Dietz WH, Cook S,

Obesity.. 2017 January 25 (1):16-29. Epub 12/07/2016.

Preventing Obesity and Eating Disorders in Adolescents.

Golden NH, Schneider M, Wood C, , ,

Pediatrics.. 2016 September 138 (3)Epub 08/22/2016.

The Relative Costs of High- vs. Low-Energy-Density Foods and More vs. Less Healthful Beverages Consumed by Children.

Edwards K, Stewart P, Cook S, Seplaki C, Rich D, and I. Fernandez.

Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. 2016; .

Cook, S;.

Evaluating Community-Clinical Engagement to

Publication Link

Kushner, RF; Butsch, WS; Kahan, S; Machineni, S; Cook, S; Aronne, LJ.

Obesity Coverage on Medical Licensing

The Edmonton Obesity Staging System for Pediatrics: A proposed clinical staging system for paediatric obesity.

Hadjiyannakis S, Buchholz A, Chanoine JP, Jetha MM, Gaboury L, Hamilton J, Birken C, Morrison KM, Legault L, Bridger T, Cook SR, Lyons J, Sharma AM, Ball GD

Paediatrics & child health.. 2016 21 (1):21-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

The CardioMetabolic Health Alliance: Working Toward a New Care Model for the Metabolic Syndrome.

Sperling LS, Mechanick JI, Neeland IJ, Herrick CJ, Després JP, Ndumele CE, Vijayaraghavan K, Handelsman Y, Puckrein GA, Araneta MR, Blum QK, Collins KK, Cook S, Dhurandhar NV, Dixon DL, Egan BM, Ferdinand DP, Herman LM, Hessen SE, Jacobson TA, Pate RR, Ratner RE, Brinton EA, Forker AD, Ritzenthaler LL, Grundy SM

Journal of the American College of Cardiology.. 2015 September 166 (9):1050-67. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Edmonton Obesity Staging System for Pediatrics (EOSS-P): A proposed clinical staging system for pediatric obesity. In Press.

Hadjiyannakis S, Buchholz A, Chanoine JP, Jetha MM, Gaboury L, Hamilton J, Birken C, Morrison KM, Legault L, Cook S, Lyons J, Sharma AM, Ball GDC.

Paediatrics & Child Health. 2015; .

A single-blinded randomized clinical trial comparing polymyxin B-trimethoprim and moxifloxacin for treatment of acute conjunctivitis in children.

Williams L, Malhotra Y, Murante B, Laverty S, Cook S, Topa D, Hardy D, Wang H, Gigliotti F

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2013 April 162 (4):857-61. Epub 10/23/2012.

Can the Metabolic Syndrome be defined in Children?

Dillion, T., Cook, S.

Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports. 2013; 7(4): 270-274.

Dyslipidemia and pediatric obesity.

Cook S, Kavey RE

Pediatric clinics of North America.. 2011 December 58 (6):1363-73, ix. Epub 1900 01 01.

Nontraditional risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular disease: mechanistic, research, and clinical considerations for youth: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

Balagopal PB, de Ferranti SD, Cook S, Daniels SR, Gidding SS, Hayman LL, McCrindle BW, Mietus-Snyder ML, Steinberger J, , ,

Circulation.. 2011 June 14123 (23):2749-69. Epub 05/09/2011.

US adolescent nutrition, exercise, and screen time baseline levels prior to national recommendations.

Foltz JL, Cook SR, Szilagyi PG, Auinger P, Stewart PA, Bucher S, Baldwin CD

Clinical pediatrics.. 2011 May 50 (5):424-33. Epub 01/31/2011.

U.S. Adolescent Nutrition, Exercise and Screen-time Levels Prior to National Recommendations

Foltz, J.L., Cook, S., Szilagyi, P.G., Auinger, P., Stewart, P.A., Bucher, S., Baldwin, C.

Clinical Pediatrics. 2011; 50(5): 424-433.

The Primary Care Pediatrician's Role in Obesity Prevention, Assessment and Management: Voices of Experience

Homer, C; Barlow, SE; Bolling, DF; Cook, SR; Liu, LL; Rogers, VW.

Childhood Obesity. 2011; 7(3): 169-176.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents with severe mental illness: a cross-sectional chart review.

Gracious BL, Cook SR, Meyer AE, Chirieac MC, Malhi N, Fischetti AT, Finucane TL, Ma Y

The Journal of clinical psychiatry.. 2010 July 71 (7):949-54. Epub 05/04/2010.

Underestimation of children's weight status: views of parents in an urban community.

Tschamler JM, Conn KM, Cook SR, Halterman JS

Clinical pediatrics.. 2010 May 49 (5):470-6. Epub 05/15/2009.

Adoption of body mass index guidelines for screening and counseling in pediatric practice.

Klein JD, Sesselberg TS, Johnson MS, O'Connor KG, Cook S, Coon M, Homer C, Krebs N, Washington R

Pediatrics.. 2010 February 125 (2):265-72. Epub 01/18/2010.

Association of the components of the metabolic syndrome with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among normal-weight, overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Kelishadi R, Cook SR, Adibi A, Faghihimani Z, Ghatrehsamani S, Beihaghi A, Salehi H, Khavarian N, Poursafa P

Diabetology & metabolic syndrome.. 2009 December 221 :29. Epub 12/22/2009.

Growth curves for cardio-metabolic risk factors in children and adolescents.

Cook S, Auinger P, Huang TT

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2009 September 155 (3):S6.e15-26. Epub 1900 01 01.

Additive utility of family history and waist circumference to body mass index in childhood for predicting metabolic syndrome in adulthood.

Schubert CM, Cook S, Sun SS, Huang TT

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2009 September 155 (3):S6.e9-13. Epub 1900 01 01.

Factors associated with insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among youths.

Kelishadi R, Cook SR, Amra B, Adibi A

Atherosclerosis.. 2009 June 204 (2):538-43. Epub 10/09/2008.

Prevalence and trends of severe obesity among US children and adolescents.

Skelton JA, Cook SR, Auinger P, Klein JD, Barlow SE

Academic pediatrics.. 2009 9 (5):322-9. Epub 06/27/2009.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related characteristics in obese adolescents with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.

Rossi B, Sukalich S, Droz J, Griffin A, Cook S, Blumkin A, Guzick DS, Hoeger KM

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.. 2008 December 93 (12):4780-6. Epub 09/23/2008.

Metabolic syndrome rates in United States adolescents, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2002.

Cook S, Auinger P, Li C, Ford ES

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2008 February 152 (2):165-70. Epub 10/22/2007.

Metabolically obese normal weight and phenotypically obese metabolically normal youths: the CASPIAN Study.

Kelishadi R, Cook SR, Motlagh ME, Gouya MM, Ardalan G, Motaghian M, Majdzadeh R, Ramezani MA

Journal of the American Dietetic Association.. 2008 January 108 (1):82-90. Epub 1900 01 01.

Socioeconomic position and the metabolic syndrome in early, middle, and late life: evidence from NHANES 1999-2002.

Loucks EB, Magnusson KT, Cook S, Rehkopf DH, Ford ES, Berkman LF

Annals of epidemiology.. 2007 October 17 (10):782-90. Epub 08/13/2007.

Concentrations of Urinary Phthalate metabolites Are Associated with Increased Waist Circumference and Insuling Resistance in Adult U.S. Males

Stahlhut, R.W., Van Wijngaarden, E., Dye, T.D., Cook, S., Swan, S. H.

Environmental Health Perspectives. 2007; 115(19).

Serum Concentrations of Uric Acid and the Metabolic Syndrome Among US Children and Adolescents"

Ford, E., Li, C., Cook, S., Choi, H.K.,.

Circulation. 2007; 115(19): 2528-2532.

Age, sex, and ethnic variations in serum insulin concentrations among U.S. youth: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002.

Ford ES, Li C, Imperatore G, Cook S

Diabetes care.. 2006 December 29 (12):2605-11. Epub 1900 01 01.

Methylphenidate improves aspects of executive function in African American children with ADHD.

Hazel-Fernandez LA, Klorman R, Wallace JM, Cook S

Journal of attention disorders.. 2006 May 9 (4):582-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Recent Waist Circumference Trends and Waist to Height Ratio among US Children and Adolescents"

Li C, Ford E, Mokdad A, Cook S.

Pediatrics. 2006; 118((5)).

Tobacco smoke exposure is associated with the metabolic syndrome in adolescents.

Weitzman M, Cook S, Auinger P, Florin TA, Daniels S, Nguyen M, Winickoff JP

Circulation.. 2005 August 9112 (6):862-9. Epub 08/01/2005.

Screening and counseling associated with obesity diagnosis in a national survey of ambulatory pediatric visits.

Cook S, Weitzman M, Auinger P, Barlow SE

Pediatrics.. 2005 July 116 (1):112-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

The metabolic syndrome: antecedent of adult cardiovascular disease in pediatrics.

Cook S

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2004 October 145 (4):427-30. Epub 1900 01 01.

Prevalence of a metabolic syndrome phenotype in adolescents: findings from the National Health And Examination Survey, 1988-1994.

Cook SR, Weitzman M, Auinger P, Nguyen M, Dietz W.

Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2003; 157((8)): 821-827.

Oxidative damage to DNA in diabetes mellitus.

Dandona P, Thusu K, Cook S, Snyder B, Makowski J, Armstrong D, Nicotera T

Lancet.. 1996 February 17347 (8999):444-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

and The Improving Access and Systems of Care for Evidence-based Childhood Obesity Treatment Conference Workgroup. Improving access and systems of care for evidence-based childhood obesity treatment: Conference key findings and next steps

Wilfley DE, Staiano AE, Altman M, Lindros J, Lima A, Hassink SG, Dietz WH, Cook S.

Obesity 2016,. .

Asthma and Overweight/Obese: Double Trouble for Urban Children

Wiesenthal, E, Cook, S, Fagnano, M, Halterman, J.

Journal of Asthma. .

Obesity Coverage on medical licensing Examination in the United Stated. What is Being Tested?

Butsch, WS; Kahan, S; Macineni, S; Cook, S; Aronne, LA.

Teaching and Learning in medicine. .

Books

The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care. 4th edition (2016)

Chapter: Obesity

Authors: Cook, S, Sahler OJ, Carr JE.

Publisher: Hogrefe Publis 2016

The Behavioral Sciences and Health Care (2012)

Chapter: Obesity

Authors: Evans, K., Cook, S

Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing, Cambridge 2012

Performing Preventive Services: A Bright Futures Handbook. (2010)

Chapter: Cardiometabolic Risk of Obesity

Authors: Cook S

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics, Chicago 2010

Contemporary Endocrinology (2008)

Chapter: Epidemiology of the Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Authors: Foltz, J., Cook, S

Publisher: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ 2008

Pediatric Clinical Advisor (2007)

Chapter: Metabolic Syndrome

Authors: Cook SR

Publisher: Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2007

Locations

Strong Memorial Hospital

601 Elmwood Ave, AC-6
Rochester, NY 14642-0001

(585) 275-2821 Get Directions