Nancy Williams
Professor and Head of Kinesiology
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Recreation Bldg
University Park, - She/Her
- niw1@psu.edu
- 814-865-1346
Research Summary
Exercise physiology, effects of alterations in energy balance on reproductive function, neuroendocrinology, metabolism, clinical issues pertaining to womens health and reproductive status.
Huck Affiliations
Links
Most Recent Publications
Body Dissatisfaction is Associated with Low Self-Reported Energy Availability and Reduced Aerobic Fitness but not with Metabolic Alterations in Young, Exercising Women
K Koehler, R Malinson, H Allaway, Nancy Williams, M De Souza,
High Body Dissatisfaction is Associated with Higher BMI, Reduced Aerobic Fitness, Restrained Eating Behavior, and Low Energy Availability in Young
K Koehler, R Malinson, H Allaway, Nancy Williams, M De Souza,
Pre-Season Energy Deficiency Predicts Poorer Performance During a Competitive Season in Collegiate Female Long-Distance Runners
E Lundstrom, Nancy Williams, A Salamunes, H Allaway, M DeSouza, 2025, European Journal of Sport Science
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
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
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
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
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
Wearable technology predicts physiological and psychological indicators of health and performance in swimmers
E Lundstrom, MJ De Souza, K Koltun, N Strock, H Canil, Nancy Williams, 2024, Int J Sports Science & Coaching on p. 1578-1587
Are menstrual disturbances associated with an energy availability threshold? A critical review of the evidence
Ana Carla C. Salamunes, Nancy Williams, Mary Jane De Souza, 2024, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism on p. 584-598
Most-Cited Papers
Randomized controlled trial of preconception interventions in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Richard S. Legro, William C. Dodson, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Jennifer Fleming, Kelly C. Allison, David B. Sarwer, Christos Coutifaris, Anuja Dokras, 2015, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 4048-4058
Benefit of delayed fertility therapy with preconception weight loss over immediate therapy in obese women with PCOS
Richard S. Legro, William C. Dodson, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Kelly C. Allison, David B. Sarwer, Michael P. Diamond, William D. Schlaff, Peter R. Casson, Gregory M. Christman, Kurt T. Barnhart, G. Wright Bates, Rebecca Usadi, Scott Lucidi, Valerie Baker, Heping Zhang, Esther Eisenberg, Christos Coutifaris, Anuja Dokras, 2016, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 2658-2666
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
Weight loss and lowering androgens predict improvements in health-related quality of life in women with PCOS
Anuja Dokras, David B. Sarwer, Kelly C. Allison, Lauren Milman, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Allen R. Kunselman, Christy M. Stetter, Nancy I. Williams, Carol L. Gnatuk, Stephanie J. Estes, Jennifer Fleming, Christos Coutifaris, Richard S. Legro, 2016, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on p. 2966-2974
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
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 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 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
Unique effects of energy versus estrogen deficiency on multiple components of bone strength in exercising women
E. A. Southmayd, R. J. Mallinson, N. I. Williams, D. J. Mallinson, M. J. De Souza, 2017, Osteoporosis International on p. 1365-1376
News Articles Featuring Nancy Williams
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
Mar 07, 2025
Energy deficiency's impact on women’s health and sport topic of upcoming lecture
Nancy Williams, professor of kinesiology and physiology, received the 2024 Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award and will present “Energy Deficiency in Sport: Impacts on Health and Performance in Exercising Women," on Wednesday, April 2.
Full Article
Nov 08, 2024
Can Ozempic Make You A Better Runner?
Popular weight-loss drugs are helping some runners lose weight and crush PRs. Here's what experts think.
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 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.
Full Article