How eating patterns interact with activity, sleep and mood. This project aims to understand temporal eating patterns (the timing and distribution of food intake and eating occasions across the day) among adults and how these eating patterns interact with activity and sleep patterns. Eating, activity and sleep patterns form a lifestyle triad which may be important for well-being and productivity. The project will study eating, activity and sleep patterns in daily life, to examine their social dri ....How eating patterns interact with activity, sleep and mood. This project aims to understand temporal eating patterns (the timing and distribution of food intake and eating occasions across the day) among adults and how these eating patterns interact with activity and sleep patterns. Eating, activity and sleep patterns form a lifestyle triad which may be important for well-being and productivity. The project will study eating, activity and sleep patterns in daily life, to examine their social drivers, interactions and effect on mood. This project could enable these behaviours to be targeted, with the potential to promote healthy lifestyles and improve health, quality of life and productivity.Read moreRead less
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behaviour of Indigenous Australian children from a remote community school. Indigenous Australian children have disproportionate health problems that are largely related to malnutrition, which affects physical health and may also impact on their emotional health, learning and behaviour. Indigenous Australian children in remote rural communities are performing well below national benchmarks, and the government has earmarked improve ....Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behaviour of Indigenous Australian children from a remote community school. Indigenous Australian children have disproportionate health problems that are largely related to malnutrition, which affects physical health and may also impact on their emotional health, learning and behaviour. Indigenous Australian children in remote rural communities are performing well below national benchmarks, and the government has earmarked improved education in this population as a top national priority. To date research has not addressed the impact of nutrition on learning in this population. Improving the nutritional status of these children could assist them to derive greater benefit from educational opportunities, and in turn greater equality of access to occupational opportunities later in life.Read moreRead less
Assessing The Impact Of A Multi-component Intervention To Improve Dietary Intake Of Indigenous Australian Children And Their Families Living In Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,455,043.00
Summary
Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption seems to contribute to obesity and diabetes. We aim to test the impact of multi-component intervention including a school-based nutrition education program combining high levels of parental involvement plus a supportive environment to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and improve healthy eating among Indigenous Australian children and their families living in remote communities.
An investigation of ethnicity, socio-economic status and social networks as drivers of childhood obesity and body image among children and adolescents. This study addresses the problem of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in Australia. It aims to build a longitudinal picture of relevant social, behavioural and environmental factors and includes a unique study of the role of social networks in determining and reinforcing understandings and prevalence of obesity and overweight.
The Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Dietary Improvement As A Treatment Strategy For Major Depression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,047.00
Summary
The SMILES trial: “Supporting the Modification of lifestyle In Lowered Emotional States" is a randomised controlled trial that aims to investigate the efficacy and cost-efficacy of dietary improvement in the treatment of Major Depressive Episodes (MDE). My PhD is embedded within this RCT. We hypothesise that a structured dietary intervention, focusing on dietary improvement (a Modified Mediterranean diet), will be superior to a control condition (social support) in the treatment of MDE.
CONSUMPTION OF NITRATE-RICH VEGETABLES TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,875.00
Summary
Consumption of plant food-rich diets lowers blood pressure. However, the most important components of these diets for blood pressure lowering have not been clearly defined. An intervention study in people with elevated blood pressure will be conducted to determine if increased consumption vegetables results in lower blood pressure, and if focused advice to consume nitrate-rich vegetables (mainly green leafy vegetables) will result in greater benefit on blood pressure.
Efficacy And Cost Effectiveness Of Varying Levels Of Technology-delivered Personalised Feedback On Dietary Patterns In Motivating Young Australian Adults To Improve Diet Quality And Eating Habits: The Advice, Ideas And Motivation For My Eating Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,756.00
Summary
This project will test efficacy and cost-effectiveness of technology based tools in helping young adults to improve their dietary patterns and nutrition related health. Major challenges faced by young adults include lack of access to personalised information and advice about usual dietary intakes, being effectively engaged and cost. The project results will be translated and scaled up strategically by working in partnership with the Young and Well CRC and key organisations.
Translating Obesity Prevention Research Into Practice: Targeting Infants At Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern, with one in four children aged 5 -14 years affected. Those from single parent and lower income families are at particular risk. Infancy and the preschool years are an ideal time for obesity prevention, before children have formed their lifelong eating habits. This project aims to design a program (informed by prior research) that is targeted toward those families most at risk, and that is community-based, practical and cost-effective.
VicHealth, is going to implement a 3-year ‘Salt Action Challenge’ with the goal of reducing the average salt consumption of Victorians by 1g by June 2018. This research will test whether this objective is achieved, identify which actions were most important and calculate the health gains achieved for Victoria.
Preventing Weight Gain In Young To Mid-aged Women Living In Rural Communities;a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$896,169.00
Summary
Women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than their urban counterparts. The prevention of weight gain in young rural women presents an opportunity that is urgently needed with potential for major benefits to physical, metabolic and reproductive health. The aim of this project is to prevent weight gain in women of reproductive age living in small rural communities, to improve the preventable risk factors for chronic disease such as poor diet quality and physical activity and to ....Women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than their urban counterparts. The prevention of weight gain in young rural women presents an opportunity that is urgently needed with potential for major benefits to physical, metabolic and reproductive health. The aim of this project is to prevent weight gain in women of reproductive age living in small rural communities, to improve the preventable risk factors for chronic disease such as poor diet quality and physical activity and to conduct a comprehensive economic evaluation.Read moreRead less