Melissa Rittenhouse, PhD
My research interests center on advancing nutrition strategies that improve the health, readiness, and performance of service members through both individual and environmental approaches. I am particularly interested in providing evidence-based nutrition education, conducting dietary assessments, and implementing targeted dietary interventions that support long-term health outcomes and military performance.
In addition, I am interested in evaluating nutrition environments and developing practical strategies to increase access to healthier foods, promote healthier choices through effective marketing, and integrate behavioral design principles to encourage sustainable dietary behaviors. I am especially motivated to expand my expertise in nutrigenomics and better understand how genetic variation influences responses to diet and impacts health outcomes, with the goal of applying personalized nutrition approaches to improve prevention and performance across diverse populations.
| Kirkpatrick KM, Khurana S, Rittenhouse MA, Hinman SJ, Scott JM. Fueling Military Nutrition: Insights From Go for Green® Pilot Studies. Health Educ Behav. 2026 Apr 21:10901981261441292. doi: 10.1177/10901981261441292. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42012176. |
| Currie TL, Crawford C, Deuster PA, Lindsey AT, Rittenhouse M, Kirkpatrick K, Robinson D, Troncoso MR, McCarthy M, Paolicelli C, Turay M, McConville M, Suttles S, Rabbitt MP, Adler AB, Scott JM. Leader-Inspired Nutrition: A Framework for Promoting Healthy Nutrition Behaviors and a Nutritionally Fueled and Fit Military Force. Nutrients. 2025 Dec 8;17(24):3835. doi: 10.3390/nu17243835. PMID: 41470780; PMCID: PMC12735521. |
| Kirkpatrick KM, Abourjeily ZN, Rittenhouse MA, Purcell MW, McCarthy RG, Scott JM. Increasing Access and Availability of Nutrient-Dense Foods at United States Marine Corps Food Venues Is Feasible and Profitable. Nutrients. 2025 Aug 5;17(15):2556. doi: 10.3390/nu17152556. PMID: 40806140; PMCID: PMC12348073. |
| Heileson JL, Wallace RB, Sergi TE, Rittenhouse MA, Peoples GE. The Omega-3 Index in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review. Mil Med. Published online April 7, 2025. doi:10.1093/milmed/usaf105 |
| Cariello F, Rittenhouse M, Kazman J, et al. Multidisciplinary Case Review Committee: Comprehensive Referral Source for Evaluation and Treatment of High-Risk Exertional Injuries Fostering Safe and Expeditious Return to Duty Decisions. Mil Med. Published online March 1, 2025. doi:10.1093/milmed/usaf060 |
| Rittenhouse M, Khurana S, Scholl S, Emerson C. Examining the Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Performance, Recovery, and Injury Management for Health Optimization: A Systematic Review Focused on Military Service Members. Nutrients. 2025;17(2):307. Published 2025 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu17020307 |
| Rittenhouse M, Khurana S. Nutrition Interventions to Improve the Military Nutrition Environment Positively Impact Service Members. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2025;57(3):208-217. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2024.12.005 |
| Rittenhouse, M., Barringer N; Jaffe D, Morogiello J; Kegel J; McNally B; Deuster P. Omega-3 Index improves after increased intake of foods with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among United States service academy cadets. J Nutrition Research. 2023, 117, 30-37. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2023.06.005. |
| Rittenhouse, M., Deuster, P. Omega-3 Fatty acids: Benefits for Performance and Recovery. J Spec Oper Med. 2022, 22(4), 97-101. doi:10.55460/6I33-5IPR. |
| Rittenhouse, M., Sambuughin, N., Deuster, P. Optimization of Omega-3 Index Levels in Athletes at the US Naval Academy: Personalized Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosage and Molecular Genetic Approaches. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2966. doi.org/10.3390/nu14142966. |
| Rittenhouse, M., Scott, J., and Deuster, P. Healthy Eating Index and Nutrition Biomarkers among Army Soldiers and Civilian Control Group Indicate an Intervention Is Necessary to Raise Omega-3 Index and Vitamin D and Improve Diet Quality. Nutrients. 2021, 13, 122. doi:10.3390/nu13010122. |
| Rittenhouse, M., Scott, J., and Deuster, P. Dietary Supplements: Knowledge and adverse event reporting practices of DoD healthcare professionals. Military Medicine. 2020, 185, (11), 2076-2081. doi:10.1093/milmed/usaa157. |
| Rittenhouse, M., Kegel, J., and Deuster, P. Validity and Reliability of a Dietary Supplement Rating Tool. Nutrition Today. 2019, 54 (6), 277- 282. |
| Latour, A., Peterson, D., Rittenhouse, M., and Riner, D. Comparing Performance Category Criteria for U.S. Navy Alternate Physical Readiness Tests. Gavin Publishing. 2017, 1 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.29011/2576-9596.100015. |
| Latour, A., Peterson, D., Rittenhouse, M., and Riner, D. Comparing Alternate Aerobic Tests for United States Navy Physical Readiness Test, International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education. 2017, 1(3), 89-99. doi: 10.1080/24711616.2017.1328187123. |
Area of Research
Institution Affiliations
Nutrition and Exercise Scientist in support of USUHS