Dr. Jenelle N. Robinson, assistant professor and Health Sciences program director at West Virginia State University (WVSU), will be among the featured presenters at the upcoming 2014 Strengthening Families in West Virginia Conference set for Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Charleston Town Center Marriott.

Robinson will present on the topic of “Am I Fat? Body Image and Weight Realities of Women in West Virginia,” beginning at 3 p.m.

The topic came from research that Robinson conducted during June and July that involved bringing focus groups of six to eight women to WVSU’s campus to discuss attitudes and behaviors related to obesity. Her research was funded through the University’s Promoting Excellence in Education through Research (PEER) program, which provides financial support to encourage and foster the advancement of research and support the enrichment of academia and student learning at WVSU.

“I am excited to report my findings from my summer PEER grant research,” Robinson said. “The session I provide at the conference will address the women in this state and contribute to making healthier families and communities for the state.”

The 2014 Strengthening Families in West Virginia Conference is sponsored by the Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action Inc. with the theme of “Empowering Fathers and Families for the Future.” The conference is designed to be an informative event where individuals can learn more about strengthening and sustaining families in the community.

The daylong conference will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will feature a variety of local, state and nationally known speakers, including Father Leo Patalinghug, founder, host and director of Grace Before Meals, an international organization designed to help strengthen families and relationships through a family meal.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.sfwv.org.

Robinson can be reached at (304) 766-3233 or jrobinson12@wvstateu.edu.