Professional Bio

Molly A. Martin studies the intersection of social stratification, family demography and health disparities. She is a professor of sociology and demography at Penn State, where she is the Chair of the Dual-title Graduate Program in Demography. Her theoretically driven research conceptualizes family life as a critical site for the generation of population and individual health, particularly for children and mothers. In addition, Dr. Martin utilizes a variety of sophisticated quantitative methodologies to answer important yet difficult questions.  Her numerous peer-reviewed articles appear in leading academic journals, often with Dr. Martin as the first author and with graduate student co-authors.

Throughout her career, Dr. Martin’s research has spanned the following three areas:

1. Intergenerational Patterns and Processes of Inequality, which examines how stratified family resources create socioeconomic and health inequalities among children.
2. Intersections of Gender, Family and Health, which investigates why low-income U.S. mothers are at greater risk of obesity, weight gain, and other health challenges relative to high-income mothers and childfree women.
3. Population Change and Inequality, which explores how population changes like rising obesity rates, new immigration patterns, and the COVID-19 pandemic are correlated with – and provide analytic windows to study – social, economic, and health inequalities.

Teaching Interests

Dr. Martin teaches courses on social stratification, sociology of families, the social determinants of health, and social problems. Dr. Martin also teaches professional development seminars for the Dual-title Graduate Program in Demography.

Selected Publications

• Martin, Molly A. (2021). “What is the Causal Effect of Income Gains on Youth Obesity? Leveraging the Economic Boom Created by the Marcellus Shale Development.” Social Science & Medicine, 272: 113732.
  • Read Research Brief #40 from Syracuse University’s Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion: https://surface.syr.edu/lerner/118/
• Martin, Molly A., Tori Thomas, Gary J. Adler, jr., and Derek A. Kreager. (2020). "Are Feminine Body Weight Norms Different for Black Students or in Black Schools? Girls' Weight-Related Peer Acceptance Across Racialized School Contexts." Journal of Health and Social Behavior 61(2): 239-58.
  • Listen to the Podcast “This Week in Sociological Perspective,” with Dr. Samuel Lucas, about this study: https://twispaudio.com/twisp-2020m07-thu02-audio
• Martin, Molly A., Jennifer L. Van Hook, and Susana Quiros. (2015). “Is Socioeconomic Incorporation Associated with a Healthier Diet? Dietary Patterns among Mexican-origin Children in the United States.” Social Science & Medicine, 147: 20-29.
• Martin, Molly A. and Adam L. Lippert. (2012) "Feeding Her Children, but Risking Her Health: The Intersection of Gender, Food Insecurity and Obesity," Social Science & Medicine. 74(11): 1754-64. (PMID: 22245381).
  • Read commentary about this highly rated study that could change clinical practice: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/767993
• Martin, Molly A. (2012) “Family Structure and the Intergenerational Transmission of Educational Advantage.” Social Science Research, 41:33-47.
• Martin, Molly A., Michelle L. Frisco, and Ashleigh L. May. (2009). “Gender and Race/Ethnic Differences in Inaccurate Weight Perceptions among US Adolescents” Women’s Health Issues, 19(5): 292-299.
• Martin, Molly A. (2008) “The Intergenerational Correlation in Weight: How Genetic Resemblance Reveals the Social Role of Families.” American Journal of Sociology, 114 (Suppl.): S67-S105.
• Martin, Molly A.(2006) “Family Structure and Income Inequality in Families with Children: 1976 to 2000.” Demography, 43: 421-445.