Focus

Biography

Dr. Pia Henfridsson is an assistant professor in the Department of Dietetics & Nutrition at Florida International University (FIU). Her research primarily explores the nutritional and metabolic impacts of bariatric surgery, body composition, energy expenditure, eating-related problems, and childhood obesity. Recently, she has expanded her focus to investigate the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in nutrition, particularly in enhancing personalized dietary recommendations.

Dr. Henfridsson earned her Ph.D. from the Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, where she contributed to the Adolescent Morbid Obesity Surgery (AMOS) study. Her extensive clinical experience includes roles as a registered dietitian (RD) at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, specializing in surgical emergency, gastrointestinal surgery, transplantation, and metabolic bariatric surgery.

Her research has been published in journals such as Surgery for Obesity and Other Related Diseases and Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. She is also an active member of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and serves on the steering committee of The Childhood Comorbidities in Obesity Definitions (C-CODE) project.

Education

• Ph.D., Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• MSc, Food and Nutrition, Umeå University, Sweden
• BSc, Dietetics, Umeå University, Sweden

Publications & Research

Dr. Henfridsson’s research has been widely recognized, with significant contributions in the areas of bariatric surgery, body composition, and metabolic health. Her work has been published in renowned journals, covering topics such as adolescent obesity, the long-term effects of gastric bypass surgery, and the role of micronutrients. Below is a comprehensive list of her peer-reviewed publications:

1. Järvholm K, Janson A, Henfridsson P, Neovius M, Sjögren L, Olbers T. Bariatric surgery for adolescents with severe obesity – benefits, risks, and specific considerations. Scandinavian Journal of Surgery (Accepted).
   
   
2. Henfridsson P, Järvholm K, Wallengren O, Gronowitz E, Flodmark CE, Marcus C, Dahlgren J, Laurenius A. Long-term changes in dietary intake and its association to eating-related problems after gastric bypass in adolescents. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2022;18(12):1399-1406.
   
   
3. Järvholm K, Bruze G, Peltonen M, Marcus C, Flodmark CE, Henfridsson P, Beamish AJ, Gronowitz E, Dahlgren J, Karlsson J, Olbers T. 5-year mental health and eating pattern outcomes following bariatric surgery in adolescents: A prospective cohort study. Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. 2020;4(3):210-219.
   
   
4. Henfridsson P, Laurenius A, Wallengren O, Beamish AJ, Dahlgren J, Flodmark CE, Marcus C, Olbers T, Gronowitz E, Ellegård L. Micronutrient intake and biochemistry in adolescents adherent or non-adherent to supplements 5 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2019;15(9):1494-1502.
   
   
5. Henfridsson P, Laurenius A, Wallengren O, Gronowitz E, Dahlgren J, Flodmark C-E, Marcus C, Olbers T, Ellegård L. Five-year changes in dietary intake and body composition in adolescents with severe obesity undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2019;15(1):51-58.
   
   
6. Järvholm K, Olbers T, Peltonen M, Marcus C, Dahlgren J, Flodmark CE, Henfridsson P, Gronowitz E, Karlsson J. Binge eating and other eating-related problems in adolescents undergoing gastric bypass: results from a Swedish nationwide study (AMOS). Appetite. 2018;127:349-355.
   
   
7. Kalaitzakis E, Josefsson A, Castedal M, Henfridsson P, Bengtsson M, Andersson B, Björnsson E. Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with cirrhosis: A longitudinal study before and after liver transplantation. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;48(11):1308-1316.
   
   
8. Kalaitzakis E, Josefsson A, Castedal M, Henfridsson P, Bengtsson M, Andersson B, Björnsson E. Hepatic encephalopathy is related to anemia and fat-free mass depletion in liver transplant candidates with cirrhosis. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;48(5):577-584.
   
   
9. Kalaitzakis E, Josefsson A, Castedal M, Henfridsson P, Bengtsson M, Hugosson I, Andersson B, Björnsson E. Factors related to fatigue in patients with cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2012;10(2):174-181.
   
   
10. Kalaitzakis E, Olsson R, Henfridsson P, Hugosson I, Bengtsson M, Jalan R, Björnsson E. Malnutrition and diabetes mellitus are related to hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis. Liver International. 2007;27(9):1194-1201.
    
    
11. Kalaitzakis E, Simrén M, Olsson R, Henfridsson P, Hugosson I, Bengtsson M, Björnsson E. Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis: Associations with nutritional status and health-related quality of life. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2006;41(12):1464-1472.

Ongoing Research

• Comparing Registered Dietitian and AI chatbot responses to nutrition-related questions on a public social media forum
• Development and initial evaluation of an AI-driven chatbot for nutrition counseling in Type 2 diabetes
• Exploring racial disparities and trends in access to adolescent metabolic and bariatric surgery and complications
• Impact of metabolic syndrome on early outcomes of metabolic and bariatric surgery and evaluating preoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease as a predictor of revisional surgery and outcomes in adolescents
• Energy Expenditure assessed with Doubly Labeled Water five years after gastric bypass surgery or non-surgical treatment in young adults, and evaluation of Diet History Interview.