Erica Gabrielle Soltero

Assistant Professor

Email

soltero@bcm.edu

Positions

Assistant Professor: Pediatrics - Nutrition
Baylor College of Medicine

Addresses

Children's Nutrition Research Center (Office): 1100 BATES
Room: CNRC-2056
Houston, TX, 77030
United States
Phone: (713) 798-7154
soltero@bcm.edu

Education

BA from Rice University: 05/2011 - Houston, Texas, United States; Kinesiology, Sports Medicine

PhD from University of Houston: 03/2016 - Houston, Texas, United States; Health and Human Performance: Obesity Studies

Postdoctoral Fellowship at Arizona State University: 06/2019 - Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Pediatric Obesity

Honors & Awards

Publication Funding Award: Texas Children’s Hospital Young Investigator Endowment (06/2021)

Presentation Award: Obesity Journal Symposium, The Obesity Society (11/2018)

Top Three Abstract: Pediatric Obesity Section, The Obesity Society (11/2018)

Meritorious Award: Society of Behavioral Medicine (04/2018)

Abstract Citation: Society of Behavioral Medicine (04/2018)

Top Three Abstract: Pediatric Obesity Section, The Obesity Society (11/2017)

Top Ten Abstract: Pediatric Obesity Section, The Obesity Society (11/2016)

Early Career Investigator Presentation Award: Pediatric Obesity Section, The Obesity Society (11/2016)

Professional Interests

Behavior Change Strategies
Health Disparities
24-Hour Activity Profiling (sleep, sedentary behaviors, activity)
Obesity & Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention

Professional Statement

The broad focus of Dr. Soltero’s work is implementing evidence-based obesity and cardiometabolic disease prevention programs that address disparities in high-risk pediatric populations. This work spans the translational spectrum and includes studies aimed at understanding the pathophysiologic development of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases, the development of culturally adapted evidence-based programs, and implementation of obesity prevention programs into real-world practice settings. This work has led to projects focused in the following areas:

1) Identifying upstream markers of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk in order to inform early intervention and prevention strategies in minority youth (American Heart Association: 18POST33990036).

2) Understanding the synergistic effect of sleep, sedentary behaviors, and physical activity on cardiometabolic markers of health in youth (NIMHD: U54MD00231611).

3) Developing family-based models of diabetes prevention that have the potential for broad dissemination and sustainability within community clinic networks

Websites

Erica Soltero Lab

NCBI Publications List

Selected Publications

Soltero EG, Partida M, Mihail S, Villanueva L, Lopez C, Musaad SM, O'Connor TM, Redondo MJ, Buman M, Thompson D. " A digital diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial " JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Apr ; 15 : e75331.
Pubmed PMID: 41984597.
Mihail S, Partida M, Villanueva L, Thompson D, O'Connor TM, Musaad SM, Redondo MJ, Soltero EG. " Community participatory co-design and development of a digital diabetes prevention education program for Hispanic families with obesity: Mixed methods study " JMIR Form Res. 2026 Feb ; 10 : e67800.
Pubmed PMID: 41671476.
Ortíz-Hernández L, Soltero EG, Camejo M, Valdes J. " Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between abdominal fat depots and cardiometabolic risk in a sample of Mexican adolescents " Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2026 Jan ; 83 (1) : 21-31.
Pubmed PMID: 41747183.
Mihail S, Hernandez AA, Soltero EG. " Family-level factors that influence physical activity among Hispanic adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes " Ethn Dis. 2025 Aug ; 35 (3) : 121-128.
Pubmed PMID: 40949623.
Larkey LK, James DL, Han S, Weihs K, Jahnke R, Oh B, Kim SW, Huberty J, Petrov ME, Martin D, Howe N, Hook J, Soltero E, Rao S, Northfelt D. " Randomized controlled trial testing Tai Chi Easy/Qigong and Sham Qigong on breast cancer survivors' fatigue and associated symptoms " Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2025 Nov ; 61 : 102014.
Pubmed PMID: 40651067.
Soltero EG, Salim O, Mirabile Y, Musaad SM. " Exploring the acute effects of sedentary behaviors on cardiometabolic risk in Hispanic adolescents with obesity: A randomized crossover study " Children (Basel). 2025 Apr ; 12 (4) : 513.
Pubmed PMID: 40310171.
Lee RE, Arriola A, Lorenzo E, Soltero EG, Szeszuski J. " Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE): The process of incorporating watering into structured preschool curriculum " Agric Food. 2024 Dec ; 12 : 138-143.
Pubmed PMID: 41019297.
Soltero EG, James DL, Han S, Larkey LK. " The impact of a meditative movement practice intervention on short- and long-term changes in physical activity among breast cancer survivors " J Cancer Surviv. 2024 Dec ; 18 (6) : 1912-1920.
Pubmed PMID: 37507530.
Soltero EG, Musaad SM, O'Connor TM, Thompson D, Norris K, Beech BM. " Feasibility of Fit24, a digital diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents: Qualitative evaluation study " JMIR Form Res. 2024 May ; 8 : e54595.
Pubmed PMID: 38758584.
Szeszulski J, Faro JM, Joseph RP, Lanza K, Lévesque L, Monroe CM, Pérez-Paredes EA, Soltero EG, Lee RE. " How societal forces of change are transforming youth physical activity promotion in North America " J Phys Act Health. 2023 Dec ; 20 (12) : 1069-1077.
Pubmed PMID: 37917976.
Yeung CHC, Lu J, Soltero EG, Bauer C, Xiao Q. " U.S. adolescent rest-activity patterns: Insights from functional principal component analysis (NHANES 2011-2014) " Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2023 Oct ; 20 (1) : 125.
Pubmed PMID: 37833691.
Soltero E, Lopez C, Mihail S, Hernandez A, Musaad SM, O'Connor TM, Thompson D. " An SMS text message-based type 2 diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents with obesity: Qualitative co-design process " JMIR Form Res. 2023 Aug ; 7 : e46606.
Pubmed PMID: 37531191.
Mama SK, Soltero EG, Joseph RP. " Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity among low active, underserved adults: A staircase approach " J Phys Act Health. 2023 Aug ; 20 (8) : 677-679.
Pubmed PMID: 37279898.
Liaw WR, Ramos Silva Y, Soltero EG, Krist A, Stotts AL. " An assessment of how clinicians and staff members use a diabetes artificial intelligence prediction tool: Mixed methods study " JMIR AI. 2023 May ; 2 : e45032.
Pubmed PMID: 38875578.
Soltero EG, Lopez C, Musaad SM, O'Connor TM, Thompson D. " Fit24, a digital health intervention to reduce type 2 diabetes risk among Hispanic youth: Protocol for a feasibility pilot study " Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Apr ; 127 : 107117.
Pubmed PMID: 36775009.
Soltero EG, Lopez C, Hernandez E, O'Connor TM, Thompson D. " Technology-based obesity prevention interventions among Hispanic adolescents in the United States: Scoping review " JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2022 Nov ; 5 (4) : e39261.
Pubmed PMID: 36331547.
Lee RE, Szeszulski J, Lorenzo E, Arriola A, Bruening M, Estabrooks P, Hill JL, O’Connor TM, Shaibi GQ, Soltero EG, Todd M. " Sustainability via Active Garden Education: The sustainability action plan model and process " Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May ; 19 (9) : 5511.
Pubmed PMID: 35564909.
Soltero EG, Larkey LK, Kim WS, Rosales Chavez JB, Lee RE. " Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi effects on physical activity and body composition in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study " Complement Ther Clin Prac. 2022 May ; 47 : 101554.
Pubmed PMID: 35257993.
Pimentel JL, Vander Wyst KB, Soltero EG, Peña A, Hu HH, Bailey S, Pokorney A, Ayers S, Valencia AM, Olson ML, Shaibi GQ. " Organ fat in Latino youth at risk for type 2 diabetes " Pediatr Diabetes. 2022 May ; 23 (3) : 286-290.
Pubmed PMID: 35001468.
Soltero EG, Navabi N, Vander Wyst KB, Hernandez E, Castro FG, Ayers SL, Mendez J, Shaibi GQ. " Examining 24-hour activity and sleep behaviors and related determinants in Latino adolescents and young adults with obesity " Health Educ Behav. 2022 Apr ; 49 (2) : 291-303.
Pubmed PMID: 34791905.
Soltero EG, Ayers SL, Avalos M, Peña A, Williams AN, Olson ML, Konopken YP, Castro FG, Arcoleo KJ, Keller CS, Patrick DL, Justin J, Shaibi GQ. " Theoretical mediators of diabetes risk and quality of life following a culturally grounded diabetes prevention program for Latino youth with obesity " Am J Health Promot. 2021 Sep ; 35 (7) : 939-47.
Pubmed PMID: 33949215.
Soltero EG, O’Connor TM, Thompson D, Shaibi GQ. " Opportunities to address obesity disparities among high-risk Latino children and adolescents " Curr Obes Rep. 2021 Sep ; 10 (3) : 332-41.
Pubmed PMID: 34263434.
Soltero EG, Peña A, Gonzalez V, Hernandez E, Mackey G, Callender C, Dave JM, Thompson D. " Family-based obesity prevention interventions among Hispanic children and families: A scoping review " Nutrients. 2021 Aug ; 13 (8) : 2690.
Pubmed PMID: 34444850.
Soltero EG, Jáuregui A, Hernandez E, Barquera S, Jáuregui E, López-Taylor JR, Ortiz-Hernández L, Lévesque L, Lee RE. " Associations between screen-based activities, physical activity, and dietary habits in Mexican schoolchildren " Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun ; 18 (13) : 6788.
Pubmed PMID: 34202680.
Soltero EG, Navabi N, Castro FG, Ayers SL, Mendez J, Thompson DI, Shaibi GQ. " Perceptions of family-level social factors that influence health behaviors in Latinx adolescents and young adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes " Children (Basel). 2021 May ; 8 (5) : 406.
Pubmed PMID: 34069897.
Soltero EG, Parker NH, Mama SK, Ledoux TA, Lee RE. " Lessons learned from implementing of garden education program in early child care " Health Promot Pract. 2021 Mar ; 22 (2) : 266-74.
Pubmed PMID: 31470753.
Lee RE, Parker NH, Hallett AM, Kao D, Modelska MJ, Rifai HS, Soltero EG, O’Connor DP. " Stakeholder perspectives and sustainability of an integrated care model for the prevention and management of obesity: The Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) project " Transl Behav Med. 2021 Feb ; 11 (2) : 393-407.
Pubmed PMID: 32667038.
Soltero EG, Solovey AN, Hebbel RP, Palzer EF, Ryder JR, Shaibi GQ, Olson M, Fox CK, Rudser KD, Dengel DR, Evanoff NG, Kelly AS. " Relationship of circulating endothelial cells with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents " J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 Jan ; 10 : e018092.
Pubmed PMID: 33372524.
Arévalo Avalos MR, Ayers SL, Patrick DL, Jager J, Castro FG, Konopken YP, Olson ML, Keller CS, Soltero EG, Williams AN, Shaibi GQ. " Familism, self-esteem, and weight-specific quality of life among Latinx adolescents with obesity " J Pediatr Psychol. 2020 Sep ; 45 (8) : 848-57.
Pubmed PMID: 32632446.
Vander Wyst KB, Olson ML, Hooker E, Soltero EG, Konopken YP, Keller CS, Castro FG, Williams AN, Fernández ADR, Patrick DL, Ayers SL, Hu HH, Peña A, Pimentel J, Knowler WC, Shaibi GQ. " Yields and costs of recruitment methods with participant phenotypic characteristics for a diabetes prevention research study in an underrepresented pediatric population " Trials. 2020 Aug ; 21 : 716.
Pubmed PMID: 32799920.
Vander Wyst KB, Olson ML, Keller CS, Soltero EG, Williams AN, Peña, Ayers SL, Jager J, Shiabi GQ. " Sex as a moderator of body composition following a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention among obese Latino youth " Pediatr Obes. 2020 Jun ; 15 (6) : e12620.
Pubmed PMID: 32072749.
Peña A, Olson ML, Soltero EG, Lee C, Toledo MJ, Ayers SL, Shaibi GQ. " Evaluating a pragmatic estimate of insulin sensitivity in Latino youth with obesity " Clin Obes. 2020 Apr ; 10 (2) : e12353.
Pubmed PMID: 31962378.
Soltero EG, Ledoux TA, O'Connor DP, Moore QL, Berger Cardoso J, Lee RE. " Cross-country comparison of school neighborhood food environments in Houston, Texas and Guadalajara, Mexico " J Prim Prev. 2019 Dec ; 40 (6) : 591-606.
Pubmed PMID: 31655950.
Lee RE, Soltero EG, Ledoux TA, Sahnoune I, Saavadra F, Mama SK, McNeill LH. " Sustainability via Active Garden Education: Translating policy to practice in early care and education " J Sch Health. 2019 Apr ; 89 (4) : 257-66.
Pubmed PMID: 30723904.
Lee RE, Lorenzo E, Szeszulski J, Arriola A, Bruening M, Estabrooks PA, Hill J, Marsiglia FF, O'Connor T, Pollins KS, Shaibi GQ, Soltero E, Todd M. " Design and methodology of a cluster-randomized trial in early care and education centers to meet physical activity guidelines: Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE) " Contemp Clin Trials. 2019 Feb ; 77 : 8-18.
Pubmed PMID: 30550775.
Soltero EG, Ramos C, Williams AN, Hooker E, Mendez J, Wildy H, Davis K, Hernandez V, Contreras OA, Silva M, Lish E, Shaibi GQ. " ¡Viva Maryvale!: A multilevel, multisector model to community-based diabetes prevention " Am J Prev Med. 2019 Jan ; 56 (1) : 58-65.
Pubmed PMID: 30573148.
Olson ML, Rentería-Mexía A, Connelly MA, Vega-López S, Soltero EG, Konopken YP, Williams AN, Castro FG, Keller CS, Yang HP, Todd MW, Shaibi GQ. " Decreased GlycA after lifestyle intervention among obese, prediabetic adolescent Latinos " J Clin Lipidol. 2019 Jan ; 13 (1) : 186-93.
Pubmed PMID: 30342918.
Soltero EG, Olson ML, Williams AN, Konopken YP, Castro FG, Arcoleo KJ, Keller CS, Patrick DL, Ayers SL, Barraza E, Shaibi GQ. " Effects of a community-based diabetes prevention program for Latino youth with obesity: A randomized controlled trial " Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Dec ; 26 (12) : 1856-65.
Pubmed PMID: 30426694.
Langer SL, Soltero EG, Beresford SA, McGregor BA, Albano DL, Patrick DL, Bowen DJ. " Socioeconomic status differences in food consumption following a laboratory-induced stressor " Health Psychol Open. 2018 Oct ; 5 (32) : 2055102918804664.
Pubmed PMID: 30345065.
Lee RE, Mama SK, Leach H, Soltero EG, Parker NH. " The physical environment and public policy. " In Razon S, Sachs ML, editors. Applied Exercise Psychology: The Challenging Journey from Motivation to Adherence. 2018 ; Chapter 13
Shin CN, Soltero E, Mama SK, Sunseri C, Lee RE. " Association of discrimination and stress with cardiometabolic risk factors in ethnic minority women " Clin Nurs Res. 2017 Dec ; 26 (6) : 694-712.
Pubmed PMID: 27625035.
Soltero EG, Cerin E, Lee RE, O'Connor TM. " Associations between objective and self-report measures of traffic and crime safety in Latino parents of preschool children " J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 Oct ; 19 (5) : 1109-20.
Pubmed PMID: 27680746.
Mama SK, McNeill LH, Soltero EG, Orlando Edwards R, Lee RE. " Contribution of psychosocial factors to physical activity in women of color in the Saving Lives Staying Active (SALSA) study " J Aging Phys Act. 2017 Jul ; 25 (3) : 351-9.
Pubmed PMID: 27834574.
Soltero EG, Konopken YP, Olson ML, Keller CS, Castro FG, Williams AN, Patrick DL, Ayers S, Hu HH, Sandoval M, Pimentel J, Knowler WC, Frick KD, Shaibi GQ. " Preventing diabetes in obese Latino youth with prediabetes: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial " BMC Public Health. 2017 Mar ; 17 (1) : 261.
Pubmed PMID: 28302101.
Lee RE, Parker NH, Soltero EG, Ledoux TA, Mama SK, McNeill L. " Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE): Results from two feasibility pilot studies " BMC Public Health. 2017 Mar ; 17 (1) : 242.
Pubmed PMID: 28283032.
Soltero EG, Ortiz Hernández L, Jauregui E, Lévesque L, Lopez Y Taylor J, Barquera S, Lee RE. " Characterization of the school neighborhood food environment in three Mexican cities " Ecol Food Nutr. 2017 Mar ; 56 (2) : 139-51.
Pubmed PMID: 28103081.
Mama SK, Leach HJ, Soltero EG, Lee RE. " Improved physical activity screening enhances intervention effectiveness in ethnic minority women: A longitudinal study " Health Promot Pract. 2017 Jan ; 18 (1) : 54-61.
Pubmed PMID: 27357202.
Lee RE, Galavíz KI, Soltero EG, Rosales Chavez J, Jauregui E, Lévesque L, Ortiz Hernández L, Lopez y Taylor J, Estabrooks PA. " Applying the RE-AIM conceptual framework for the promotion of physical activity in low- and middle-income countries. " Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem. 2017 ; 25 : e2923.
Ansari S, Soltero EG, Lorenzo E, Lee RE. " The impact of religiosity on dietary habits and physical activity in minority women participating in the Health is Power (HIP) study " Prev Med Rep. 2016 Dec ; 5 : 210-3.
Pubmed PMID: 28070479.
Jauregui A, Soltero E, Santos-Luna R, Hernández-Barrera L, Barquera S, Jáuregui E, Lévesque L, López-Taylor J, Ortiz-Hernández L, Lee R. " A multisite study of environmental correlates of active Commuting to school in Mexican children " J Phys Act Health. 2016 Mar ; 13 (3) : 325-32.
Pubmed PMID: 26284941.
Hutchens A, Soltero EG, Barquera S, Lévesque L, Jauregui E, López Y Taylor J, Lee RE. " Influence of parental perception of school safety and gender on children's physical activity in Mexico: A cross sectional study " Salud Publica Mex. 2016 Jan ; 58 (1) : 7-15.
Pubmed PMID: 26879502.
Lee RE, Soltero EG, Jáuregui A, Mama SK, Barquera S, Jáuregui E, Lopez y Taylor J, Ortiz Hernández L, Lévesque L. " Disentangling associations of neighborhood street scale elements with physical activity in Mexican school children. " Environ Behav. 2016 Jan ; 48 (1) : 150-71.
Lee RE, Leach HJ, Soltero EG, Vollrath KR, Hallett AM, Parker NH, Cross MB, Mama SK, Ledoux TA. " Obesity: An ecologic perspective on challenges and solutions. " In Stein N, editor. Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Practice in Community and Global Health. 2015 ; Chapter 18 : 363-86.
Soltero EG, Ledoux T, Lee RE. " Feasibility and acceptability of adapting the eating in the absence of hunger assessment for preschoolers in the classroom setting " Eat Behav. 2015 Dec ; 19 : 68-71.
Pubmed PMID: 26172567.
Layne CS, Parker NH, Soltero EG, Rosales Chavez J, O'Connor DP, Gallagher MR, Lee RE. " Are physical activity studies in Hispanics meeting reporting guidelines for continuous monitoring technology? A systematic review " BMC Public Health. 2015 Sep ; 15 : 917.
Pubmed PMID: 26384488.
Soltero EG, Hernandez DC, O'Connor DP, Lee RE. " Does social support mediate the relationship among neighborhood disadvantage, incivilities, crime and physical activity? " Prev Med. 2015 Mar ; 72 : 44-9.
Pubmed PMID: 25562756.
Lee RE, Mama SK, Adamus-Leach HJ, Soltero EG. " Contribution of neighborhood income and access to quality physical activity resources to physical activity in ethnic minority women over time " Am J Health Promot. 2015 Mar ; 29 (4) : 210-6.
Pubmed PMID: 24524382.
Jauregui E, Pacheco AM, Soltero EG, O'Connor TM, Castro CM, Estabrooks PA, McNeill LH, Lee RE. " Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate physical activity public health programs in México " BMC Public Health. 2015 Feb ; 15 : 162.
Pubmed PMID: 25881249.
Soltero EG, Mama SK, Pacheco AM, Lee RE. " Physical activity resource and user characteristics in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. " Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación. 2015 ; 28 : 203-6.
Leach HJ, Mama SK, Soltero EG, Lee RE. " The influence of sitting time and physical activity on health outcomes in public housing residents " Ethn Dis. 2014 ; 24 (3) : 370-5.
Pubmed PMID: 25065081.
Mama SK, Soltero EG, Ledoux TA, Gallagher MR, Lee RE. " Solving the obesity epidemic: Voices from the community " Nurs Inq. 2014 Sep ; 21 (3) : 192-201.
Pubmed PMID: 24372868.
Lee RE, Soltero EG, Mama SK, Saavedra F, Ledoux TA, McNeill L. " Developing a transcultural academic-community partnership to arrest obesity " Int Q Community Health Educ. 2013 ; 34 (3) : 215-33.
Pubmed PMID: 25030103.
Lee RE, Adamus-Leach HJ, Cheung KC, Soltero EG, Lopez III Y, Saavedra F, Noor M, Mama SK. " Researching those who have the most to gain: Focused physical activity promotion in lower socioeconomic populations. " Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2012 Aug ; 6 (4) : 355–61.

Funding

Acute effects of sedentary behaviors on cardiometabolic risk in Latino youth #58-3092-5-008: $601,909.00 (10/01/2024 - 09/30/2029); Grant funding from USDA/ARS; Examine the acute effects of sedentary behaviors on energy metabolism and cardiometabolic health in Latino adolescents with obesity.

Investigating the efficacy of mobile health monitoring and self-care to improve obesity outcomes in Hispanic adolescence populations: $20,000.00 (01/01/2024 - 12/31/2025); Grant funding from PATHS-Up Seed Funds; Develop a mobile health app that leverages personalized biobehavioral data, self-monitoring, and health promotion techniques that foster self-efficacy for healthy activity and dietary habits.

Efficacy trial of a program for weight loss for Hispanic fathers and increased physical activity for their children: Healthy Dads Healthy Kids #R33 HL155015: (09/15/2022 - 09/14/2026); Grant funding from NIH/NHLBI; Role: Co-Investigator (Teresia O'Connor, PI) Assess the efficacy of a culturally adapted 'Healthy Dads Healthy Kids' program for Hispanic families among a low-income sample of Hispanic families.

Adapting and assessing the feasibility of a telehealth diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents #K01 DK131287: $664,848.00 (08/01/2022 - 07/31/2026); Grant funding from NIH/NIDDK; Examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of adapting a 12-week diabetes prevention program for delivery via telehealth among Hispanic adolescents.