Kelly Ann Cicalese has built a successful career as a broadcast meteorologist, captivating audiences with her weather forecasts and engaging personality. This article explores her journey, from her academic pursuits and early career experiences to her current role at WCVB Channel 5 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 28, 1989, in New Jersey, Kelly Ann Cicalese developed an early fascination with weather. This interest led her to Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. While at Rutgers, she actively participated in the university's television program and was a member of the Rutgers Meteorology Club, gaining valuable experience in her field. She also holds an Associate Degree in Mathematics.
Career Path
Cicalese's career began to take shape with roles at KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she earned the "Best Weather Broadcaster" award from the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters. In this role, she gained considerable experience forecasting extreme weather conditions, including cyclones and continuous snowstorms. She also provided constant updates during the September 2013 flooding in Colorado.
Before joining WCVB, Cicalese worked as the weekday evening meteorologist at WSAZ-TV in Huntington-Charleston, West Virginia. During her time there, she covered significant weather events such as the January 2016 blizzard, which brought over three feet of snow to the Appalachian Mountains, and the June 2016 West Virginia flooding disaster.
Currently, Kelly Ann Cicalese serves as a weekend EyeOpener meteorologist at WCVB Channel 5 in Boston, Massachusetts, a position she has held since October 2016.
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Personal Life
Kelly Ann Cicalese is married to Edward J. Davilla, a sales representative at Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union. The couple exchanged vows on October 11, 2015, at the Main Campus of Rutgers University’s chapel. They have one son, Leonardo Edward, who was born on February 24, 2021.
Weight Management and Health
Kelly Ann Cicalese maintains her physical fitness through regular workouts and a healthy diet.
Insights into Her Work
Cicalese is passionate about connecting with her audience, often speaking at social clubs and conducting kid-friendly weather investigations in local classrooms. She also has a passion for Irish Dancing, which she began at a young age.
In an interview, Cicalese shared insights into the challenges and rewards of her profession. She emphasized the pressure of forecasting weather in the Northeast, particularly during the winter months when people are highly sensitive to snow forecasts. She also highlighted the importance of staying updated with weather models and trends, as weather forecasting is a 24/7 job.
Cicalese also spoke about the importance of clear communication during severe weather events, particularly when tornado warnings are issued. She strives to keep her terminology simple and understandable to ensure that people can take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
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Reflecting on her education at Rutgers University, Cicalese expressed gratitude for the strong meteorology program, which provided her with a solid foundation in the field. She also acknowledged the value of the Weather Watchers program in developing her TV skills.
Cicalese also noted the increasing frequency of storms and volatile weather conditions, which create more work for meteorologists but also increase public awareness of weather-related issues. She hopes to see a shift towards incorporating climate updates into weather forecasts.
High-Protein Diet and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
While Kelly Ann Cicalese's personal weight loss methods are not publicly available, the topic of high-protein diets and their effects on cardiovascular risk factors is relevant to overall health and well-being.
Studies regarding the effects of high protein (HP) diets on cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors have reported contradictory results. One study aimed to determine the effects of an HP diet on CVD risk factors and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among overweight and obese women.
In this randomized controlled trial, 60 overweight and obese women, aged 20-65, were recruited into an HP or energy-restricted control diet for three months (protein, carbohydrate, and fat: 25%, 45%, and 30% versus 15%, 55%, and 30%, respectively). Total protein was divided between animal and plant sources in a 1:1 ratio, and animal sources were distributed equally between meats and dairy products. Fasting blood samples, hs-CRP, lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard guidelines.
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Key Findings of the Study
Percent change was significantly different between the two diet groups for weight (standard protein (SP): −3.90 ± 0.26 versus HP: −6.10 ± 0.34%; P < 0.0001, resp.) and waist circumference (SP: −3.03 ± 0.21 versus HP: −5.06 ± 0.28%; P < 0.0001, resp.). Percent change of fasting blood glucose (FBG) substantially decreased in the control group compared to the HP group (−9.13 ± 0.67 versus −4.93 ± 1.4%; P = 0.01, resp.).
Total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased both in the HP and in the control diet groups (P = 0.06, P = 0.07, and P = 0.09, resp.); however, the results were marginally significant. Serum levels of hs-CRP were reduced both in the control (−0.08 ± 0.11%, P = 0.06) and in the high protein groups (−0.04 ± 0.09%, P = 0.06).
The energy-restricted HP diet resulted in more beneficial effects on weight loss and reduction of waist circumference. CVD risk factors may improve with HP diets among overweight and obese women. When using isoenergetic weight loss diets, total cholesterol, hs-CRP, and SBP were marginally significantly reduced, independent of dietary protein content.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
Obesity is a chronic disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. It has become a major public health problem, leading to other chronic diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP), produced by adipose tissue, might lead to insulin resistance and CVD. The worldwide prevalence of obesity is rising in both developed and developing countries, particularly among women.
Moderate weight loss diets, leading to a 5-10% reduction in body weight, have beneficial effects on CVD risk. High protein, calorie-restricted diets may enhance weight loss by increasing satiety, reducing energy intake, decreasing loss of energy expenditure, and increasing thermogenesis.
Contradictory Results from Studies
Many studies have compared the effects of high protein (HP) diets on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and weight loss to other types of calorie-restricted diets, but results have been contradictory. Some studies suggest that HP weight loss diets have more capacity to enhance the lipid profile compared with other types of weight loss control groups. In contrast, other studies showed similar results when comparing high protein to normal protein diets.
Other research suggests more weight reduction through HP diets both in the short term and in the long term. Several studies have not shown differential effects of diet composition (i.e., protein, carbohydrate, and fat) on weight loss.
Fewer studies have investigated the effect of HP diets on inflammatory factors like CRP. Additionally, different proteins are likely to have varied effects since consumption of high protein from animal sources, especially red meat, might lead to insulin resistance, bone loss, and hypertension.
Importance of Protein Sources
The source of protein is important, and a mixture of animal and plant sources may have enhanced benefits. Few recent studies have evaluated effects of the types of protein present in high protein diets. Furthermore, examining protein intake derived equally from dairy products and meat sources has not been considered in prior studies. Rather, most high protein weight loss diets have focused on animal protein with little attention to vegetable protein intake.
Study Design and Methods
A convenience sample of sixty-three overweight and obese women, referred to Isfahan Nutrition Clinic, was recruited to participate in a randomized dietary trial between February 2011 and July 2012. Then, simple random sampling was used to randomly allocate subjects into two groups. Subjects were included if they were between 20 and 65 years of age and had a body mass index (BMI or kg/m2) of >25, were nonsmokers, and had no history of renal, liver, and metabolic diseases or type 1 or 2 diabetes. Women were excluded if they had gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, liver, and renal diseases, had macroalbuminuria, or were pregnant or lactating.
Women were randomly assigned to one of the isocaloric energy-restricted diets (a 200-500 kcal reduction of total energy) for three months according to a parallel design while matched on age, BMI, and medication use. Participants were not aware of their dietary group assignment at baseline (i.e., consumption of the high protein diet or standard protein diet). The HP intervention (n = 30) was a weight loss diet with 25% of energy from protein, 45% from carbohydrate, and 30% of energy from fat. The control group (n = 30) followed a weight loss diet with 15%, 55%, and 30% energy from protein, carbohydrate, and fat, respectively. The total amount of protein was divided between animal and plant sources in a 1:1 ratio. Also, animal sources were derived half from meats (e.g., red meat, fish, poultry, egg, and other meat products) and half from dairy products (including milk and yogurt).
Participants completed three-day consecutive food records before each visit. Energy and macronutrient intake was analyzed by Nutritionist IV software. A 24-hour physical activity record (in MET) was conducted at the beginning and the end of the study. The Maroni formula along with urinary urea nitrogen (UUN), as a marker of protein intake, was used to assess adherence to the prescribed diets.
Measurements and Analysis
Every two weeks, participants were weighed to the nearest 100 grams. Participants were weighed wearing light clothing and without shoes after fasting overnight. At baseline, height was measured using a measuring tape after removal of the participant's shoes. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight (kg)/height (m2). After 15 minutes of rest, participants' blood pressure was measured three times in the sitting position, and the average of the three measurements was recorded. Systolic blood pressure was defined as the appearance of the first sound, and diastolic blood pressure was defined as the disappearance of the sound (Korotkoff phase 5).
Collection of total 24-hour urine output commenced at 07:00 (except for the first morning urine) at weeks 0 and 12. According to standard protocol, fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and week 12 while subjects were sitting. Samples were centrifuged within 30-45 minutes of collection for 10 minutes at 500 ×g and at 40°C. Samples were analyzed using an autoanalyzer. HDL cholesterol, LDL-c, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol were measured using an enzymatic kit. Triglyceride was measured with glutathione oxidase. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured using ELISA and an enzymatic kit. Urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) was determined based on the assessment of protein intake by using the Maroni formula: (protein intake (gr/day) = UUN + 0.031 × weight (kg) × 6.25).
Baseline and end values of cardiovascular risk factors including weight, waist circumference, LDL-c, HDL-c, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and hs-CRP in the high protein diet and control diet groups were compared using paired t-tests. Percent change in cardiovascular risk factors and hs-CRP in the high protein diet and control diet groups were compared using t-tests. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to adjust the effects of age, BMI, and medication use on CVD risk.
Study Results
Of the initial 63 participants in the trial, 3 dropped out due to nonparticipation in the first regimen consultation (n = 3). Thus, the study was completed by 60 participants (n = 30 subjects for the control group and n = 30 subjects for the high protein group). Participant adherence to the diets was assessed by analysis of 24-hour food records. Compliance to the high protein diet was assessed by using the Maroni formula, indicating that participants had relatively good compliance.
After three months of the intervention, weight, waist circumference, TG, FBG, and SBP were significantly reduced in both the control and high protein diet groups. Total cholesterol was reduced in the control group, which was marginally significant. However, this reduction was not significant in the high protein diet group. Serum level of LDL-c was substantially changed in the control group. However, this parameter was not significantly reduced in high protein group. No significant change in serum level of HDL-c was observed either in the control or high protein group. A marginally significant reduction in DBP in the control group was observed. This reduction was not significant in the high protein group. Serum level of hs-CRP reduced in the control group after three months of the intervention, which was marginally significant.
The percent change in weight and waist circumference was greater in high protein group compared to control group. Percent change for the serum level of TG, LDL-c, HDL-c, and DBP was not significantly different in the control and high protein groups in crude models or after adjustment for potential confounders. A significant reduction in FBG and marginally significant reductions in total cholesterol, SBP, and hs-CRP in the control compared to high protein diet group were observed, even after adjustment for potential confounders. There was no significant difference between high protein diet group and control group in serum levels of HDL-c, after adjustment for potential confounders. Serum levels of hs-CRP were reduced in both the control group and high protein group.
Conclusions from the Diet Study
The findings suggest that a high protein low-fat diet had more positive effects on weight and waist circumference reduction compared to a standard high protein diet. However, the control diet conferred more benefits on cardiovascular disease risk factors compared to the high protein diet. According to the study, the energy-restricted HP diet had more beneficial effects on weight loss and waist circumference compared to the control diet.