Her research focuses on proximal determinants to obesity and dietary habits among low-income and rural populations. Her current work has targeted adolescent and parent food shopping patterns and habits using ecological momentary assessment methods to capture neighborhood travel patterns. Dr. Gustafson also studies interventions aimed at improving access and availability to local food utilizing farmers� markets, gardens, and other non-traditional food sources. She has published several articles focused on weight loss interventions and the role of the food environment as a modifier in the success of weight loss.