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Research
Commitments to Improve Food Environments in Western Australia: A Review of Local Government Public Health PlansFood environments are significant drivers of obesity and diet-related diseases, making them key targets for interventions that support healthier food choices. The role of Local Government Authorities is pivotal in shaping community food environments.
Research
Food Outlets Dietary Risk (FODR) assessment tool: study protocol for assessing the public health nutrition risks of community food environmentsAvailability and accessibility of nutritious foods can vary according to the food outlets present within a neighbourhood or community. There is increasing evidence that community food environments influence food choice.
News & Events
Back to school: How to pack a healthy lunchbox to keep your child fuelled up for learning and playSummer holidays are nearly over, and with that, the never-ending requests for snacks that seem to come all day, every day.
News & Events
Spotlight on kids' menus shows almost all are unhealthyThe first Australian study to evaluate the nutritional content of Kids’ Menus at restaurants and cafés has found the overwhelming majority are unhealthy.
Research
Change in Diet Quality and Dietary Intake From Pregnancy to 1-Year Postpartum: A Longitudinal Analysis in Australian WomenThis longitudinal analysis in Australian women evaluated change in diet quality and food and nutrient intakes from the third trimester of pregnancy to 1-year postpartum with comparison to national nutrition recommendations. Associations between diet quality, sociodemographic and health characteristics were also investigated.
Research
A Scoping Review of Methodologies Exploring Diet and Health Outcomes in Lactating Women: What Has Been Done and Where to Next?Developing dietary guidelines for lactating women presents significant challenges, due to limited evidence being available on their specific nutrient needs and the biological impacts of various dietary dimensions. Current dietary recommendations often rely on data from nonlactating women, leading to potential inaccuracies.
Research
What Do Food Business Owners and Managers Think About Enhancing the Nutritional Quality of Kids' Menus in Sit-Down Eating-Out-of-Home Venues?As the frequency of eating out-of-home among Australian families increases, concerns have arisen regarding the nutritional quality of Kids' Menus. This study investigated the views of food business owners and managers on Kids' Menus at sit-down venues, specifically factors influencing the choice of meals offered on Kids' Menus and potential initiatives for enhancing the nutritional quality of these menus.
Research
Acceptability, feasibility, and program outcomes of an equity-focused, adapted community-based healthy lifestyle program for children, young people, and their familiesInternational guidelines recommend multidisciplinary intervention programs for addressing childhood obesity. In Western Australia, community-based healthy lifestyle programs for children and young people are insufficient for demand, especially for those over-represented in obesity statistics relating to prevalence. This protocol outlines the implementation and evaluation of an adapted, evidenced, community-based program in Perth, Western Australia.
Research
Children arriving hungry in the first year of school: population trends in Australia from 2009 to 2021Access to adequate nutrition is a human right. In 2023, 23% of Australian households were severely food insecure, reducing food intake, skipping meals or days of eating. Food insecurity in early childhood is linked to poor health and development. Specifically, breakfast provides children with the necessary nutrients required for sustained attention, memory, and cognitive growth. Australian research has reported that one in three children aged 8–18 years regularly skip breakfast. However, there is little understanding of the prevalence of food insecurity among young children in Australia.
Research
Development of the breastfed infant oral microbiome over the first two years of life in the BLOSOM CohortAcquisition and development of the oral microbiome are dynamic processes that occur over early life. This study aimed to characterize the temporal development of the oral microbiome of predominantly breastfed infants during the first two years of life.