Advancing nutrition and dietetic research to save and change lives

Nutritionists and dietitians apply their skills and knowledge to work toward the prevention of many diseases and conditions through nutrition education, health promotion and advocacy.

The discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics has three main areas of research focus and strength.

Dietary factors to optimise Sports, Occupational, and Lifestyle performance

The optimising human performance research team is focussed on understanding how manipulations to dietary intake can influence the outcome of sport and exercise performance, cognitive function and important activities of daily living, such as driving. The research takes a practical approach to concentrate on strategies that are likely to translate into enhancements in physical and cognitive functioning.

Lead Researchers

  • Associate Professor Ben Desbrow
  • Dr Chris Irwin

Collaborators

  • Dr Katelyn Barnes
  • Dr Greg Cox (Australian Institute of Sport)

Higher Degree Research students

  • Elizaveta Ludakina
  • Danielle McCartney

Current projects

  1. Improving our understanding of alcohol-induced hangover
  2. The impact of food and fluid combinations on recovery following exercise
  3. The role of caffeine in influence driving performance following sleep disturbance

Dietetic Practice in Primary Health Care

Over a third of the dietetic workforce provide care to Australians in the primary health care setting (often referred to as "private practice"). This area of dietetic practice has considerable opportunity to influence the dietary behaviours and health outcomes of Australians who have or are at risk, of lifestyle-related chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. However, there is a paucity of evidence for the optimal practice of dietitians supporting the health of Australians in this setting.

The team at Griffith University are pioneering research regarding the practice characteristics of dietitians in primary care, the effectiveness of the nutrition care they provide and their scope of practice. The research is patient-centred and aligns with the national agenda on chronic disease prevention and management.

Lead Researchers

  • Dr Lauren Ball
  • Dr Lana Mitchell
  • Dr Lynda Ross
  • Professor Lauren Williams

Patient Nutrition Care

The research team focuses on patient and family-centred interventions to promote nutrition and engagement in clinical nutrition care. The team utilises translational research models to ensure effective and sustainable interventions are developed to optimise medical nutrition therapy.

Lead Researchers

  • Associate Professor Ben Desbrow
  • Professor Andrea Marshall (School of Nursing and Midwifery)
  • Dr Shelley Roberts
  • Dr Lynda Ross

Collaborators

  • Dr Katelyn Barnes
  • Dr Ingrid Hickman
  • Dr Robyn Littlewood
  • Dr Michelle Palmer

Higher Degree Research students

  • Janine Paul
  • Megan Rattray

Current projects

  1. The use of technology to improve patient dietary intake
  2. Improving the implementation of early feeding practices following surgery