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The feedback received by students on assessment tasks is a major source of their dissatisfaction with feedback generally, explaining why models of assessment continue to evolve to prioritise provision of useful feedback. Boud’s notion of... more
The feedback received by students on assessment tasks is a major source of their dissatisfaction with feedback generally, explaining why models of assessment continue to evolve to prioritise provision of useful feedback. Boud’s notion of sustainable assessment is an example. We argue for conceptualising the sustainability of assessment practices from teachers’ point of view as well. Assessment is a major component of teaching academics’ workloads. The time and effort required to support particular practices should be considered relative to how well these are evidenced to support student learning outcomes and enhance their satisfaction with feedback. We report on a trial of this approach, from the second phase of action research examining student and staff experiences of targeted feedback on a draft assessment in a large, final year Nutrition unit. The aim of our intervention was primarily to improve student satisfaction with the extent to which feedback in the unit assisted them to ...
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La presente invention concerne des procedes de diagnostic et therapeutiques en rapport avec des complications liees au diabete, comme la cecite, la nephropathie et des maladies cardiovasculaires, et des etats inflammatoires, comme... more
La presente invention concerne des procedes de diagnostic et therapeutiques en rapport avec des complications liees au diabete, comme la cecite, la nephropathie et des maladies cardiovasculaires, et des etats inflammatoires, comme l’angine, l’arthrite, l’empyeme, la pharyngite et l’infection urinaire. Des methodes de diagnostic comprennent le depistage d’une expression regulee positivement de decor (Den) ou de proteine apparentee a la thioredoxine 19 (TLP 19). Des procedes therapeutiques comprennent une modulation de l’expression ou de l’activite de Den ou de TLP 19. L’invention concerne aussi des procedes de depistage pour identifier des sequences de signaux fonctionnels pour depister des proteines secretees, membranaires et exportees et des recepteurs de la surface cellulaire.
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Higher intakes of Na may contribute to weight gain. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between dietary Na intake and measures of adiposity in children and adults. Given the previous... more
Higher intakes of Na may contribute to weight gain. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between dietary Na intake and measures of adiposity in children and adults. Given the previous link between Na intake and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), which are a known risk factor for obesity, a secondary aim examining the relationship between Na intake and SSB consumption was assessed. A systematic literature search identified cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials (RCT) which reduced dietary Na (≥3 months). Meta-analysis was performed for outcomes with ≥3 studies. Cross-sectionally higher Na intakes were associated with overweight/obesity in adults (five studies; n 11 067; OR 1·74; 95 % CI 1·43, 2·13) and in children (three studies; n 3625, OR 3·29; 95 % CI 2·25, 4·80), and abdominal obesity (five studies; n 19 744; OR 2·04; 95 % CI 1·72, 2·42) in adults. Overall, associations rema...
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Background Diets low in fruit and vegetables and high in salt are among the top dietary risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Using a nationally representative sample of Australians, this study aimed to describe self-reported... more
Background Diets low in fruit and vegetables and high in salt are among the top dietary risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Using a nationally representative sample of Australians, this study aimed to describe self-reported intake of fruit and vegetables, and knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to salt intake, and determine if there were socio-demographic differences between population subgroups. Methods A 2016 cross-sectional survey of Australian adults aged 18 years and over, which comprised 160 questions, including socio-demographic and health-related questions. Descriptive statistics (mean, 95% confidence interval, %) were calculated. Weighted-adjusted logistic regression models were used to determine if there were socio-demographic differences in salt behaviours and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results A total of 1217 participants completed the survey (51% female). Less than 8% of participants reported consuming the recommended 2 or more serves of fru...
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In Victoria, Australia, a statewide salt reduction partnership was launched in 2015. The aim was to measure Na intake, food sources of Na (level of processing, purchase origin) and discretionary salt use in a cross-section of Victorian... more
In Victoria, Australia, a statewide salt reduction partnership was launched in 2015. The aim was to measure Na intake, food sources of Na (level of processing, purchase origin) and discretionary salt use in a cross-section of Victorian adults prior to a salt reduction initiative. In 2016/2017, participants completed a 24-h urine collection (n 338) and a subsample completed a 24-h dietary recall (n 142). Participants were aged 41·2 (sd 13·9) years, and 56 % were females. Mean 24-h urinary excretion was 138 (95 % CI 127, 149) mmol/d for Na. Salt equivalent was 8·1 (95 % CI 7·4, 8·7) g/d, equating to about 8·9 (95 % CI 8·1, 9·6) g/d after 10 % adjustment for non-urinary losses. Mean 24-h intake estimated by diet recall was 118 (95 % CI 103, 133) mmol/d for Na (salt 6·9 (95 % CI 6·0, 7·8 g/d)). Leading dietary sources of Na were cereal-based mixed dishes (12 %), English muffins, flat/savoury/sweet breads (9 %), regular breads/rolls (9 %), gravies and savoury sauces (7 %) and processed m...
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A diet rich in potassium is important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study assessed potassium intake; food sources of potassium (including NOVA level of processing, purchase origin of these foods); and... more
A diet rich in potassium is important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study assessed potassium intake; food sources of potassium (including NOVA level of processing, purchase origin of these foods); and sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na:K) in a cross-section of Australian adults. Data collection included 24-h urines (n = 338) and a 24-h diet recall (subsample n = 142). The mean (SD) age of participants was 41.2 (13.9) years and 56% were females. Mean potassium (95%CI) 24-h urinary excretion was 76.8 (73.0–80.5) mmol/day compared to 92.9 (86.6–99.1) by 24-h diet recall. Na:K was 1.9 (1.8–2.0) from the urine excretion and 1.4 (1.2–1.7) from diet recall. Foods contributing most to potassium were potatoes (8%), dairy milk (6%), dishes where cereal is the main ingredient (6%) and coffee/coffee substitutes (5%). Over half of potassium (56%) came from minimally processed foods, with 22% from processed and 22% from ultraprocessed foods. Almost two-thirds of potassium consumed...
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In Vanuatu, mean salt intake exceeds the recommended maximum daily intake, and contributes to the high proportion of deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Understanding salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the... more
In Vanuatu, mean salt intake exceeds the recommended maximum daily intake, and contributes to the high proportion of deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Understanding salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the Vanuatu population can inform appropriate interventions. This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the 2016–2017 Vanuatu Salt Survey. In total, 753 participants aged between 18 and 69 years from rural and urban communities on the Island of Efate were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected and a salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors survey was administered. Knowledge relating to the need to reduce salt consumption was high, but reported behaviors did not reflect this knowledge. A total of 83% of participants agreed that too much salt could cause health problems, and 86% reported that it was “very important” to lower the amount of salt in the diet. However, more than two-thirds of the population reported always/often ...
Research Interests: Demography, Nutrition and Dietetics, Behavior, Australia, Environmental Health, and 15 moreMedicine, Multidisciplinary, Knowledge, Population, Salt, Environmental public health, Psychological Intervention, Attitude, Foods, Nutrients, Parents, Sodium, Food Sciences, Guidance and Counseling Intervention Programs, and Limiting
A signal sequence trap was utilised to identify secreted proteins which were differentially expressed in key metabolic tissues associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Decorin and periostin were identified and functionally... more
A signal sequence trap was utilised to identify secreted proteins which were differentially expressed in key metabolic tissues associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Decorin and periostin were identified and functionally characterised as novel secreted proteins associated with the pathophysiology of these conditions.
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Skeletal muscle produces a variety of secreted proteins that have important roles in intercellular communication and affects processes such as glucose homoeostasis. The objective of this study was to develop a novel Signal Sequence Trap... more
Skeletal muscle produces a variety of secreted proteins that have important roles in intercellular communication and affects processes such as glucose homoeostasis. The objective of this study was to develop a novel Signal Sequence Trap (SST) in conjunction with cDNA microarray technology to identify proteins secreted from skeletal muscle of Psammomys obesus that were associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Secreted proteins that were differentially expressed between lean, normal glucose tolerant (NGT), overweight and impaired glucose tolerant (IGT) and obese, T2D P. obesus were isolated using SST in conjunction with cDNA microarray technology. Subsequent gene expression was measured in tissues from P. obesus by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The SST yielded 1600 positive clones, which were screened for differential expression. A total of 91 (approximately 6%) clones were identified by microarray to be differentially expressed between NGT, IGT and T2D P. obesus. These clones wer...
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Education, Diabetes, Intercellular Communication, Biology, and 15 moreMedicine, Gene expression, Adipose tissue, Identification, Internal Medicine, Animals, Male, Genes, Association, Fat, Cdna Microarray, Differential expression, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, Gerbillinae, and Medical and Health Sciences
To characterize the expression of the small leucine-rich glycoprotein decorin in adipose tissue. Real-time PCR was used to measure decorin gene expression in adipose tissue from normal glucose tolerant (NGT), impaired glucose tolerant and... more
To characterize the expression of the small leucine-rich glycoprotein decorin in adipose tissue. Real-time PCR was used to measure decorin gene expression in adipose tissue from normal glucose tolerant (NGT), impaired glucose tolerant and type 2 diabetic (T2D) Psammomys obesus. Adipose tissue was fractionated to determine which cells were responsible for decorin expression. The location of decorin protein expression in adipose tissue was determined using immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR was used to measure decorin mRNA levels in human adipose tissue from 16 insulin-sensitive, 16 insulin-resistant and 6 T2D human subjects. Circulating plasma decorin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 145 NGT and 141 T2D human individuals from a large-scale epidemiological study in Mauritius. Decorin mRNA was found to be highly expressed in adipose tissue, and decorin gene expression was significantly higher in visceral than that in subcutaneous adipose tissue depo...
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Education, Biology, Gene expression, Adipose tissue, and 15 moreHumans, Female, Animals, Behavioral Animal Models, Aged, Adult, Fat, Abdominal Fat, Epidemiologic Studies, Decorin, Glucose Intolerance, Blood Vessel, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, and Gerbillinae
We have previously demonstrated that the small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin may play a role in adipose tissue homeostasis and the pathophysiology of obesity. Biglycan is highly similar in structure to decorin, therefore we... more
We have previously demonstrated that the small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin may play a role in adipose tissue homeostasis and the pathophysiology of obesity. Biglycan is highly similar in structure to decorin, therefore we hypothesized it would have a similar expression profile and role to decorin in adipose tissue. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure biglycan mRNA levels in adipose tissue from normal glucose tolerant and impaired glucose tolerant and type 2 diabetic (T2D) Psammomys obesus. Biglycan mRNA was found to be highly expressed in adipose tissue, and gene expression was significantly higher in visceral compared to subcutaneous adipose tissue, with elevated levels in obese, T2D compared to lean normal glucose tolerant P. obesus (P < 0.04). Biglycan mRNA was predominantly expressed by stromal/vascular cells of fractionated adipose tissue (P = 0.023). Biglycan expression in adipose tissue, particularly in the obese state, was markedly upregulated. C...
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Research Interests: Endocrinology, Chemistry, Biology, Enzyme Inhibitors, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and 15 moreMedicine, Gene expression, Humans, Internal Medicine, Glucose, Endoplasmic Reticulum, ER stress, Heme Oxygenase, Green Fluorescent Protein, Hydrogen Peroxide, Fetal Bovine Serum, Amino Acid Sequence, Cell Survival, Biochemistry and cell biology, and DMEM
Soluble protein hormones are key regulators of a number of metabolic processes, including food intake and insulin sensitivity. We have used a signal sequence trap to identify genes that encode secreted or membrane-bound proteins in... more
Soluble protein hormones are key regulators of a number of metabolic processes, including food intake and insulin sensitivity. We have used a signal sequence trap to identify genes that encode secreted or membrane-bound proteins in Psammomys obesus, an animal model of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Using this signal sequence trap, we identified the chemokine chemerin as being a novel adipokine. Gene expression of chemerin and its receptor, chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), was significantly higher in adipose tissue of obese and type 2 diabetic P. obesus compared with lean, normoglycemic P. obesus. Fractionation of P. obesus adipose tissue confirmed that chemerin was predominantly expressed in adipocytes, whereas CMKLR1 was expressed in both adipocytes and stromal-vascular cells of adipose tissue. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, chemerin was markedly induced during differentiation, whereas CMKLR1 was down-regulated during differentiation. Serum chemerin levels were measured by ELISA in h...
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To identify genes involved in the central regulation of energy balance, we compared hypothalamic mRNA from lean and obese Psammomys obesus, a polygenic model of obesity, using differential display PCR. One mRNA transcript was observed to... more
To identify genes involved in the central regulation of energy balance, we compared hypothalamic mRNA from lean and obese Psammomys obesus, a polygenic model of obesity, using differential display PCR. One mRNA transcript was observed to be elevated in obese, and obese diabetic, P. obesus compared with lean animals and was subsequently found to be increased 4-fold in the hypothalamus of lethal yellow agouti (Ay/a) mice, a murine model of obesity and diabetes. Intracerebroventricular infusion of antisense oligonucleotide targeted to this transcript selectively suppressed its hypothalamic mRNA levels and resulted in loss of body weight in both P. obesus and Sprague Dawley rats. Reductions in body weight were mediated by profoundly reduced food intake without a concomitant reduction in metabolic rate. Yeast two-hybrid screening, and confirmation in mammalian cells by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer analysis, demonstrated that the protein it encodes interacts with endophilins,...
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Biology, Medicine, Energy Metabolism, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Mice, Hypothalamus, Animals, Male, Energy Balance, Eating, Food intake, Metabolic rate, Body Weight, Energy Transfer, Differential Display, Molecular Sequence Data, Gerbillinae, and Medical and Health Sciences
... McMillan1, Adrian Cooper1, Scott Lee1, Kristy Bolton1, Matthew Prior1, Richard Fahey1, Kate Whitecross1, Gregory J. Morton2, Michael W. Schwartz2, and Greg R. Collier1,3. ... Sci STKE 2003:RE8 28. Ringstad N, Nemoto Y, De Camilli P... more
... McMillan1, Adrian Cooper1, Scott Lee1, Kristy Bolton1, Matthew Prior1, Richard Fahey1, Kate Whitecross1, Gregory J. Morton2, Michael W. Schwartz2, and Greg R. Collier1,3. ... Sci STKE 2003:RE8 28. Ringstad N, Nemoto Y, De Camilli P 1997 The SH3p4/Sh3p8/SH3p13 ...
Research Interests: Endocrinology and Biology
Background A large proportion of staff working in hospital settings are overweight or obese, have poor dietary habits and low physical activity levels. The workplace is a priority setting for health promotion. This systematic review will... more
Background A large proportion of staff working in hospital settings are overweight or obese, have poor dietary habits and low physical activity levels. The workplace is a priority setting for health promotion. This systematic review will describe dietary and physical activity workplace interventions that have aimed to improve the health of staff in hospital settings; and the barriers and enablers of implementing these interventions. Methods A systematic search retrieved 551 studies from 2004 to 2020 using the following databases CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, Academic Search Complete, Global Health, Health Source Nursing/Academic Edition and PsycINFO. Studies were included if they: (1) took place in a hospital setting; (2) employed a physical activity or dietary intervention to improve the well-being of staff; (3) the intervention duration was 12 weeks or over; (4) used a control group. The Integrated quality Criteria for the Review of Multiple Study designs (ICROMS) and Nationa...
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Background Community-based interventions have shown promise in reducing childhood overweight and obesity. However, they have been critiqued for using linear logic models. Participatory community-based systems approaches are posited as... more
Background Community-based interventions have shown promise in reducing childhood overweight and obesity. However, they have been critiqued for using linear logic models. Participatory community-based systems approaches are posited as addressing the complexity of non-linear relationships in a local context. Community members are empowered to understand and describe obesity causation, identify and prioritise possible solutions. The application of such approaches to childhood obesity is in its infancy. Aim To describe the first 12 months of a participatory whole-of-community systems approach to creating collective action to tackle childhood obesity, called GenR8 Change, in a local government area of Victoria, Australia. Methods Three group model building (GMB) sessions focused on the development of a causal loop diagram (CLD), prioritised evidence-informed actions, and developed implementation strategies. The collective impact framework underpinned the approach, with a local backbone ...
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Objective: To undertake a census of the healthfulness of food venues providing lunch or dinner meals in a rural Australian setting and compare healthfulness by remoteness, using two measurement tools.
Research Interests: Rural, Obesity, Policy, Environmental Health, Risk, and 14 moreRetail, Medicine, Applied Economics, Home, Regional, Public Policy and Administration, Census, Body Mass Index, Public Administration and Policy, Public health systems and services research, Science Technology, Assessment tools, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, and Food environment
Additional file 1: Table S1. Descriptive statistics of Victorian primary school children by CALD background.
This manual was developed by the core modeling team of Steve Allender, Kristy Bolton, Andrew Brown, and Penny Fraser from the Global Obesity Centre at Deakin University. It was used as an exemplar for how to run GMB sessions with... more
This manual was developed by the core modeling team of Steve Allender, Kristy Bolton, Andrew Brown, and Penny Fraser from the Global Obesity Centre at Deakin University. It was used as an exemplar for how to run GMB sessions with secondary school students in NZ as part of a PhD thesis (Erica D'Souza: e.dsouza@auckland.ac.nz)
Background Environments within schools including the physical, social-cultural and policy/practice environments have the potential to influence children’s physical activity (PA) behaviours and weight status. This Australian first study... more
Background Environments within schools including the physical, social-cultural and policy/practice environments have the potential to influence children’s physical activity (PA) behaviours and weight status. This Australian first study comprehensively examined the association(s) of physical, social-cultural and policy/practice environments with PA, active transport (AT) and weight status among regional primary school children. Methods Data were from two childhood obesity monitoring systems in regional Victoria, Australia. Measured height and weight were collected from students in Year 2 (aged approx. 7–8 years), Year 4 (9–10 years), and Year 6 (11–12 years). Self–reported PA behaviour, including AT were collected from students in Year 4 and 6 and a sub-sample wore an ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) accelerometer for 7-days. A school physical activity environment audit was completed by the school principal and responses were used to calculate school physical activity environment scores (PAES) a...
Research Interests: Physiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Education, Physical Activity, Health, and 15 moreChildhood Obesity, Medicine, Fitness, Children, People, Socioeconomic Status, Implementation, Science Technology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, School Environments, Proficiency, Active Transport, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, School policies, and Medical and Health Sciences
Steven Allender ( steven.allender@deakin.edu.au ) Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health https://orcid.org/0000-00024842-3294 Liliana Orellana Deakin... more
Steven Allender ( steven.allender@deakin.edu.au ) Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health https://orcid.org/0000-00024842-3294 Liliana Orellana Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus Nic Crooks Deakin University Faculty of Health Kristy Bolton Deakin University Faculty of Health Penny Fraser Deakin University Faculty of Health Andrew Dwight Brown Deakin University Ha Le Deakin University Janette Lowe Southern Grampians Glenelg Primary Care Partnership Kayla De La haye University of Southern California Lynne Millar University of Notre Dame Marjorie Moodie Deakin University Boyd Swinburn University of Auckland Colin Bell Deakin University Claudia Strugnell Deakin University
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BackgroundChinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Little is known about growth trajectories of their offspring when moving to a Western country. The aim was to describe the growth trajectories between birth... more
BackgroundChinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Little is known about growth trajectories of their offspring when moving to a Western country. The aim was to describe the growth trajectories between birth to 3.5 years in children of Chinese-born immigrant mothers compared with Australian-born mothers living in Victoria, Australia.MethodsTen nurse measured weights and lengths from birth to 3.5 years were used to examine growth trajectory using linear spline multilevel models. Five knot points were identified at visit 2 (0.5 months), visit 4 (2 months), visit 5 (4.5 months), visit 8 (18 months) and visit 9 (25 months).ResultsEthnic disparities in growth trajectories between these two groups were revealed in models adjusted for birth weight, sex and level of socioeconomic disadvantage. Children of Chinese-born compared with Australian-born mothers revealed different growth rates and significant differences in predicted mean body mass index Z score (zBMI...
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In-patient malnutrition leads to poor outcomes and mortality, and it is largely uninvestigated in non-urban populations. This study sought to: (1) retrospectively estimate the prevalence of malnutrition as diagnosed by dietetics in the... more
In-patient malnutrition leads to poor outcomes and mortality, and it is largely uninvestigated in non-urban populations. This study sought to: (1) retrospectively estimate the prevalence of malnutrition as diagnosed by dietetics in the rural Australian setting; (2) establish the proportion of all patients at “nutritional risk”; and (3) explore associations between demographic and clinical factors with malnutrition diagnosis and nutritional risk. A retrospective census was undertaken of medical files of all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to a rural hospital setting over a 12-month period. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between malnutrition diagnosis, nutritional risk and patient-related factors. In total, 711 admissions were screened during the 12-month period comprising 567 patients. Among the 125 patients seen by dietitians, 70.4% were diagnosed with malnutrition. Across the total sample, 77.0% had high levels of nutrition related symptoms warranting a need ...
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Background SEA Change Portland is a systems-based approach implemented in Portland, Victoria that utilises local community resources to sustainably prevent and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. Action is implemented by... more
Background SEA Change Portland is a systems-based approach implemented in Portland, Victoria that utilises local community resources to sustainably prevent and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. Action is implemented by community-led task teams with differing priority areas, and supported by a steering committee representative of four collaborating organisations. This study examines the SEA Change Portland process to identify significant events, enablers and barriers of its development and implementation to date as reported by key stakeholders involved in implementation during the first 12 months. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight steering group members and three community task team members. Data was collected utilising open ended interview questions to gather in-depth information regarding program implementation, and the individual attitudes, beliefs and experiences of key stakeholders. Results Data were analysed under three key themes: collectiv...
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Background In developed economies, obesity prevalence is high within children from some culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study aims to identify whether CALD groups in Victoria, Australia, are at increased... more
Background In developed economies, obesity prevalence is high within children from some culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study aims to identify whether CALD groups in Victoria, Australia, are at increased risk of childhood overweight and obesity, and obesity-related dietary behaviours; compared to their non-CALD counterparts. Methods Objective anthropometric and self-report dietary behavioural data were collected from 2407 Grade 4 and 6 primary school children (aged 9–12 years). Children were categorised into CALD and non-CALD cultural groups according to the Australian Standard Classification of Languages. Overweight/obesity was defined according to the World Health Organization growth reference standards. Obesity-related dietary behaviour categories included excess consumption of takeaway foods, energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks and sugar sweetened beverages. T-tests and chi-square tests were performed to identify differences in weight status and die...
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Research Interests: Obesity, Australia, Childhood Obesity, Medicine, Early Childhood, and 15 moreGrowth, Overweight, Humans, Female, Male, Obstetrics Gynecology, Infant, Maternal, Nutritional Status, Body Mass Index, Determinants, Longitudinal Studies, Body Height, Child preschool, and Infant nutritional physiological phenomena
Chinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Recent qualitative evidence from Victorian Maternal and Child Health nurses indicate that infants of Chinese parents commonly have rapid growth trajectories and that... more
Chinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Recent qualitative evidence from Victorian Maternal and Child Health nurses indicate that infants of Chinese parents commonly have rapid growth trajectories and that high value is placed on rapid growth and having a fatter child; with low breastfeeding rates and overfeeding of infant formula. The aim of this study was to compare infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, infant formula, other liquids, solids) of Chinese-born and Australian-born mothers living in Australia. Using the Australian National Infant Feeding Survey dataset (2010-2011), infant feeding data from Chinese-born mothers (n = 602) were compared with a random sub-sample of Australian-born mothers (n = 602). Group differences on feeding practices were tested using Chi-square or t-tests and the effect of ethnicity on infant feeding behaviours assessed using regression. Compared to infants of Australian-born mothers, infants of Chinese-born mothers w...
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Prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood is a priority because of associated acute and chronic conditions in childhood and later in life, which place significant burden on health systems. Evidence suggests prevention should... more
Prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood is a priority because of associated acute and chronic conditions in childhood and later in life, which place significant burden on health systems. Evidence suggests prevention should engage a range of actions and actors and target multiple levels. The Whole of Systems Trial Of Prevention trategies for childhood obesity (WHO STOPS) will evaluate the outcomes of a novel systems-based intervention that aims to engage whole communities in a locally led multifaceted response. This paper describes the planned economic evaluation of WHO STOPS and examines the methodological challenges for economic evaluation of a complex systems-based intervention. Economic evaluation alongside a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in regional and rural communities in Victoria, Australia. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses will provide estimates of the incremental cost (in $A) per body mass index unit saved and quality adjusted life ...
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The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Health-Promoting Communities: Being Active Eating Well (HPC:BAEW, 2007-2010) initiative, which comprised community-based multi-component interventions adapted to community context in... more
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Health-Promoting Communities: Being Active Eating Well (HPC:BAEW, 2007-2010) initiative, which comprised community-based multi-component interventions adapted to community context in five separate communities. The intervention aimed to promote healthy eating, physical activity and stronger, healthier communities. A mixed method and multilevel quasi-experimental evaluation of the HPC:BAEW initiative captured process, impact and outcome data. The evaluation involved both cross-sectional (children and adolescents) and longitudinal designs (adults) with data collected pre- and post-intervention in intervention (n=2408 children and adolescents from 18 schools, n=501 adults from 22 workplaces) and comparison groups (n=3163 children and adolescents from 33 schools, n=318 adults from seven workplaces). Anthropometry, obesity-related behavioural and environmental data, information regarding community context and implementation factors we...
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Rapid growth in the first six months of life is a well-established risk factor for childhood obesity, and child feeding practices (supplementation or substitution of breast milk with formula and early introduction of solids) have been... more
Rapid growth in the first six months of life is a well-established risk factor for childhood obesity, and child feeding practices (supplementation or substitution of breast milk with formula and early introduction of solids) have been reported to predict this. The third largest immigrant group in Australia originate from China. Case-studies reported from Victorian Maternal and Child Health nurses suggest that rapid growth trajectories in the infants of Chinese parents is common place. Furthermore, these nurses report that high value is placed by this client group on rapid growth and a fatter child; that rates of breastfeeding are low and overfeeding of infant formula is high. There are currently no studies which describe infant growth or its correlates among this immigrant group. We postulate that in Australia, Chinese-born immigrant mothers will have different infant feeding practices compared to non-immigrant mothers and this will result in different growth trajectories and risk o...
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Coordinated systems are required to ensure evidence-informed practice and evaluation of community-based interventions (CBIs). Knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) strategies show promise, but these require evaluation. This paper... more
Coordinated systems are required to ensure evidence-informed practice and evaluation of community-based interventions (CBIs). Knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) strategies show promise, but these require evaluation. This paper describes implementation and evaluation of COOPS, a national KTE platform to support best practice in obesity prevention CBIs. A logic model guides KTE activities including knowledge brokering, networking, tailored communications, training, and needs assessments. A mixed-methods evaluation includes communications data, knowledge brokering database, annual survey of CBIs, pre- and post-event questionnaires, interviews, social network analysis, and case studies. This evaluation will contribute to understanding the process of implementing a KTE platform with CBIs and its reach, quality and effectiveness.
Research Interests: Sociology, Social Sciences, Obesity, Systems Thinking, Public Health, and 14 moreKnowledge Translation, Interdisciplinary research (Social Sciences), Intervention, Strategies, Evidence Informed Practice, Promotion, Public Administration and Policy, Public health systems and services research, Randomized Controlled Trial, Obesity Prevention, Informed Decision Making, Logic Models, Social Network Analysis, and Community Based
This study examines the relationship between diet quality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in rural and urban Australian adolescents, and gender differences. Cross-sectional. Secondary schools. 722 rural and 422 urban students... more
This study examines the relationship between diet quality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in rural and urban Australian adolescents, and gender differences. Cross-sectional. Secondary schools. 722 rural and 422 urban students from 19 secondary schools. Self-report dietary-related behaviours, demographic information, HRQoL (AQoL-6D) were collected. Healthy and unhealthy diet quality scores were calculated; multiple linear regression investigated associations between diet quality and HRQoL. Compared to urban students, rural students had higher HRQoL, higher healthy diet score, lower unhealthy diet score, consumed less soft drink and less frequently, less takeaway and a higher proportion consumed breakfast (P < 0.05). Overall, males had higher unhealthy diet score, poorer dietary behaviours but a higher HRQoL score compared to females (P < 0.05). In all students, final regression models indicated: a unit increase in healthy diet score was associated with an increase in...
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A previously successful community-based obesity prevention intervention with a focus on school settings was expanded into new communities with varying contexts. In order to understand the complexities involved in implementing health... more
A previously successful community-based obesity prevention intervention with a focus on school settings was expanded into new communities with varying contexts. In order to understand the complexities involved in implementing health promotion activities in schools, this study examined experiences of school staff and project officers including barriers, contextual factors and achievements. School environment assessments were conducted in schools across four Victorian communities with school staff (n=1-5 staff plus a trained researcher per group in 9 primary and 8 secondary schools) 12-18 months post-intervention. Process reports from project officers were also reviewed and analysed (n=4). School staff commonly reported time pressures as a barrier to implementation and project officers working within schools reported competing priorities and limited health promotion experience of staff; lack of stakeholder engagement; low participation in some activities and insufficient implementatio...
Research Interests: Health Promotion, Medical Education, Adolescent, Medicine, Schools, and 15 moreHumans, Psychological Intervention, Attitude, School Teachers, School health services, Ethnic Group, Obesity Prevention, Pediatric Obesity, Elsevier, Health Services Accessibility, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Expanding, learnings, Medical and Health Sciences, and Residence Characteristics
Community-based initiatives (CBIs) that build capacity and promote healthy environments hold promise for preventing obesity and non-communicable disease, however their characteristics remain poorly understood and lessons are learned in... more
Community-based initiatives (CBIs) that build capacity and promote healthy environments hold promise for preventing obesity and non-communicable disease, however their characteristics remain poorly understood and lessons are learned in isolation. This limits understanding of likely effectiveness of CBIs; the potential for actively supporting practice; and the translation of community-based knowledge into policy. Building on an initial survey (2010), an online survey was launched (2013) with the aim to describe the reach and characteristics of Australian CBIs and identify and evaluate elements known to contribute to best practice, effectiveness and sustainability. Responses from 104 CBIs were received in 2013. Geographic location generally reflected population density in Australia. Duration of CBIs was short-term (median 3 years; range 0.2-21.0 years), delivered mostly by health departments and local governments. Median annual funding had more than doubled since the 2010 survey, but ...
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Objective: Obesity is the single biggest public health threat to developed and developing economies. In concert with healthy public policy, multi-strategy, multi-level community-based initiatives appear promising in preventing obesity,... more
Objective: Obesity is the single biggest public health threat to developed and developing economies. In concert with healthy public policy, multi-strategy, multi-level community-based initiatives appear promising in preventing obesity, with several countries trialling this approach. In Australia, multiple levels of government have funded and facilitated a range of community-based obesity prevention initiatives (CBI), heterogeneous in their funding, timing, target audience and structure. This paper aims to present a central repository of CBI operating in Australia during 2013, to facilitate knowledge exchange and shared opportunities for learning, and to guide professional development towards best practice for CBI practitioners. Methods: A comprehensive search of government, non-government and community websites was undertaken to identify CBI in Australia in 2013. This was supplemented with data drawn from available reports, personal communication and key informant interviews. The da...
Research Interests: Health Promotion, Social Marketing, Government, Obesity, Australia, and 13 moreHealth Policy, Medicine, Prevention, Applied Economics, Humans, Program Development, Public Administration and Policy, Public health systems and services research, Community Networks, Public Policy, Financial Support, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Medical and Health Sciences
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Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between excess weight and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents, however little is known about whether this association is moderated by variables such as gender and... more
Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between excess weight and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents, however little is known about whether this association is moderated by variables such as gender and age. This study aimed to investigate these relationships. Participants were secondary school students (818 females, 52% and 765 males, 48%) from 23 secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Age ranged from 11.0 to 19.6 years (mean age 14.5 years). The adolescent version of the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) Instrument (AQoL-6D) which is a self-reported measure of adolescent quality of life was administered and anthropometric measures (height and weight) were taken. Assessment of weight status was categorized using the Body Mass Index (BMI). HRQoL was associated with gender and age, but not weight status or socio-economic status; with males and younger adolescents having higher HRQoL scores than their female and older adolescent counterparts (bot...