Mary Jane De Souza
Distinguished Professor of Kinesiology
Research Summary
The etiology of and treatment of the Female Athlete Triad, skeletal health in exercising women and athletes, reproductive endocrinology of menstrual disorders in exercising women, and RCTs of increased food intake in exercising women.
Huck Affiliations
Links
Most Recent Publications
Prune consumption attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and alters monocyte activation in postmenopausal women: secondary outcome analysis of a 12-month randomized controlled trial: The Prune Study
J Damani, Mary Jane De Souza, E Oh, N Strock, C Weaver, C Rogers, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Differential bone calcium retention with the use of oral versus vaginal hormonal contraception: A randomized trial using calcium-41 radiotracer
E Ricker, Mary Jane De Souza, M Stone, G Jackson, G McCabe, L McCabe, C Weaver, 2024, Contraception on p. 110778
Wearable technology metrics are associated with energy deficiency and psychological stress in elite swimmers
Emily A. Lundstrom, Mary Jane De Souza, Kristen J. Koltun, Nicole C.A. Strock, Hannah N. Canil, Nancy I. Williams, 2024, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching on p. 1578-1587
Prune Consumption Attenuates Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Alters Monocyte Activation in Postmenopausal Women: Secondary Outcome Analysis of a 12-Mo Randomized Controlled Trial: The Prune Study
Janhavi J. Damani, Ester S. Oh, Mary Jane De Souza, Nicole CA Strock, Nancy I. Williams, Cindy H. Nakatsu, Hang Lee, Connie Weaver, Connie J. Rogers, 2024, Journal of Nutrition on p. 1699-1710
Prunes preserve cortical density and estimated strength of the tibia in a 12-month randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women: The Prune Study
K Koltun, Strock NCA, Nicole C.A. Strock, C Weaver, H Lee, Nancy I. Williams, C Rogers, J Damani, M Ferruzzi, C Nakatsu, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Osteoporosis International on p. 863-875
Effects of Prune (Dried Plum) Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Health in Postmenopausal Women: An Ancillary Analysis of a 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial, The Prune Study
Janhavi J. Damani, Connie Jo Rogers, Hang Lee, Nicole CA Strock, Kristen J. Koltun, Nancy I. Williams, Connie Weaver, Mario G. Ferruzzi, Cindy H. Nakatsu, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Journal of Nutrition on p. 1604-1618
Exercise endocrinology is integrative because it involves inter-organ communication for the control of metabolism, physiology, behavior, and survival.
Mary Jane Borer, K, Mary Jane De Souza, Nindl, BL, Pedersen, BK, Stanford, K, 2024, Frontiers in Endocrinology. (Lausanne). on p. 4
Interrelationships between stress, eating attitudes, and metabolism in endurance athletes across a competitive season
E Lundstrom, M DeSouza, Mary Jane De Souza, Prabhani Kuruppumullage Don, Prabhani Kuruppumullage Don, N Williams, 2024, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism on p. 1558-1572
Seven-day dietary nitrate supplementation clinically significantly improves basal macrovascular function in postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial
J Delgado Spicuzza, J Gosalia, L Zhong, C Bondonno, Kristina S. Petersen, Mary Jane De Souza, E Alipour, D Kim-Shapiro, Y Somani, David N. Proctor, 2024, Frontiers in Nutrition on p. 1359671
Differences in Metabolomic Profiles Between Responders and Non-Responders of Prune Supplementation on Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women.
Mary Jane DiMatta, Z, Damani, J, Shay, A, Pattersen, K, De Souza, MJ, Rodgers, CJ, 2024, Current Developments in Nutrition on p. 6
Most-Cited Papers
Low energy availability in exercising men is associated with reduced leptin and insulin but not with changes in other metabolic hormones
Karsten Koehler, Neele R. Hoerner, Jenna C. Gibbs, Christoph Zinner, Hans Braun, Mary Jane De Souza, Wilhelm Schaenzer, 2016, Journal of Sports Sciences on p. 1921-1929
Magnitude of daily energy deficit predicts frequency but not severity of menstrual disturbances associated with exercise and caloric restriction
Nancy I. Williams, Heather J. Leidy, Brenna R. Hill, Jay L. Lieberman, Richard S. Legro, Mary Jane De Souza, 2015, American Journal of Physiology on p. E29-E39
Menstrual Disruption with Exercise Is Not Linked to an Energy Availability Threshold
Jay L. Lieberman, Mary Jane De Souza, David A. Wagstaff, Nancy I. Williams, 2018, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on p. 551-561
Aging women and their endothelium: Probing the relative role of estrogen on vasodilator function
Yasina Somani, James A. Pawelczyk, Mary Jane De Souza, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, David N. Proctor, 2019, American Journal of Physiology on p. H395-H404
The Role of Energy Availability in Reproductive Function in the Female Athlete Triad and Extension of its Effects to Men: An Initial Working Model of a Similar Syndrome in Male Athletes
Mary Jane De Souza, Kristen J. Koltun, Nancy I. Williams, 2019, Sports Medicine on p. 125-137
The Unexplored Crossroads of the Female Athlete Triad and Iron Deficiency: A Narrative Review
Dylan L. Petkus, Laura E. Murray-Kolb, Mary Jane De Souza, 2017, Sports Medicine on p. 1721-1737
The Male Athlete Triad - A Consensus Statement From the Female and Male Athlete Triad Coalition Part 1: Definition and Scientific Basis
Aurelia Nattiv, Mary Jane De Souza, Kristen J. Koltun, Madhusmita Misra, Andrea Kussman, Nancy I. Williams, Michelle T. Barrack, Emily Kraus, Elizabeth Joy, Michael Fredericson, 2021, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine on p. 335-348
Energy availability discriminates clinical menstrual status in exercising women
J Reed, Mary Jane De Souza, Rebecca J. Mallinson, J Scheid, Nancy I. Williams, 2015, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition on p. 11
The physiology of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea associated with energy deficiency in exercising women and in women with anorexia nervosa
Heather C.M. Allaway, Emily A. Southmayd, Mary Jane De Souza, 2016, Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation on p. 91-119
The Male Athlete Triad - A Consensus Statement From the Female and Male Athlete Triad Coalition Part II: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return-To-Play
Michael Fredericson, Andrea Kussman, Madhusmita Misra, Michelle T. Barrack, Mary Jane De Souza, Emily Kraus, Kristen J. Koltun, Nancy I. Williams, Elizabeth Joy, Aurelia Nattiv, 2021, Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine on p. 349-366
News Articles Featuring Mary Jane De Souza
May 27, 2025
New online tool predicts risk of energy deficiency in young, exercising women
Energy deficiency is a common problem among physically active women and can result in bone and reproductive health problems.
Full Article
Apr 30, 2025
Energy deficiency impacts collegiate running performance
New study from researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology is first to measure how preseason energy levels can predict athlete performance.
Full Article
Feb 19, 2025
Penn State researchers find prunes may protect your bones
A Penn State University study suggests that eating prunes on a daily basis slows the progression of age-related bone loss.
Full Article
Sep 16, 2024
Sport-related stress may affect whether college athletes eat enough calories
High stress resulting from participating in high-level collegiate sports is related to unhealthy attitudes about eating and under consumption of nutrients, but only during the most stressful portions of the athletes’ seasons, according to a new study led by researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology.
Full Article
Jun 28, 2024
Eating Prunes Every Day May Help Keep Your Bones Strong As You Age, According To A New Study
Most people think of milk and cheese when it comes to foods that support good bone health. But new research suggests that prunes may do you a solid, too.
Full Article
Jun 26, 2024
New research shows prunes could prevent bone loss in older women
A new study has shown positive results in using prunes to improve bone health of postmenopausal women.
Full Article
Jun 26, 2024
A daily dose of prunes may preserve bone density and strength in older women, Penn State researchers say
Eating prunes daily may preserve bone density and strength in older women, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
Full Article
Jun 26, 2024
Prunes' New Health Benefit for Older Adults Revealed
Eating prunes has been long known to keep your toilet trips regular, but scientists have found another benefit of these dried fruit snacks. Prunes have been linked to improved bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, according to a new paper in the journal Osteoporosis International.
Full Article
Jun 25, 2024
Got prunes? Prunes may preserve bone density and strength in older women
Dairy isn’t the only food that’s good for bone health. Prunes may also protect bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. The findings, published in Osteoporosis International, suggest that daily prune consumption slows the progression of age-related bone loss and reduces the risk of fracture.
Full Article
Jul 31, 2023
Penn State CTSI announces seven Bridges to Translation pilot funding recipients
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute is helping to generate innovative health research ideas and promote collaboration through the awarding of pilot grants in its "Bridges to Translation" program.
Full Article
Dec 06, 2022
Prunes may help prevent bone loss and preserve bone strength
In the United States, about 10 million adults over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, with women four times more likely than men to experience the condition, according to prior research.
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