Nutrition and dietetics includes the study of the food that people eat and its effects on wellbeing and on prevention and management of disease.
Dietary intake assessment
We have extensive experience in assessing and monitoring food and nutrient consumption of the population, including core foods groups (meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, grains, water), discretionary foods (fast foods, sugary beverages), portion sizes consumed, energy density of diets, diet quality and nutritional adequacy.
Nutritional epidemiology across the lifecycle
We have special interests in the diets of young adults and the elderly and is conducting two cohort studies.
Young adults gain the most weight of any age group that will lead to obesity and chronic disease. The elderly are the growing demographic and good nutrition may be the key to longevity.
Use of new technologies in nutrition
We are actively involved in collaborative research designing Smartphone applications and on-line tools for monitoring dietary intakes.
The efficacy and cost efficacy of phone coaching, text messaging, apps and social media to deliver individualised nutrition and lifestyle interventions for young adults, prevention of diabetes and for people with type 2 diabetes are active areas of research.