Human Nutrition

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Human Nutrition has been taught at Otago for almost a hundred years. In terms of academic staff and students the Department of Human Nutrition is the largest University Department involved in this discipline in Australasia and one of the best known in the Southern Hemisphere. During the past sixteen years it has been responsible for all Dietetic training in New Zealand. Our graduates are to be found in interesting positions in a number of countries throughout the world as well as in leading roles in Australia and New Zealand. Our research programmes extend beyond the shores of New Zealand with staff members involved in research as far afield as Thailand, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mongolia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands.

The Department has enjoyed international recognition of outstanding leadership and excellence in nutrition research for well over half a century. Our courses continue to receive an exceptionally high rating from past and present students and we aim to ensure that all students continue to receive the quality education for which Otago is famous.

Recent Deposits

Nutritional Strategies during Exercise, which affect Thermoregulation and/or Athletic Performance in the heat: A Systematic Review

Scrivin, Rachel Anne (Thesis, Master of Science, 2017)

Purpose Increased core temperature (Tc) can reduce athletic performance in the heat due to the increased demands on the thermoregulatory system. This can lead to serious detriments in physical performance with increased ...
Comparing the effectiveness of dietitian delivered nutrition education either as a single intensive session or five short sessions for people with prediabetes

Aitken, Suzanne (Thesis, Master of Science, 2017)

Prediabetes is a worldwide growing epidemic and a key risk factor for progression onto type 2 diabetes. Interventions targeting prediabetes are required to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes. A pilot study was ...
Characteristics of obesity resistance and susceptibility

McLay-Cooke, Rebecca (Thesis, Doctor of Philosophy, 2017)

Background: Obesity is well recognised as a disease process leading to multiple pathological consequences. Prevalence rates have increased to a point where more than one-third of people worldwide have a body mass index ...
New Zealand Food Companies Policies- Nutrition Sensitive?

Doonan, Rebecca Grace (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Policy is widely recognised among the public health community as an effective tool for reducing the risk of obesity. The economic and health burdens of obesity have focused attention on the food industry’s ...
Patient Foodservice Expectations and Satisfaction Study

Lowerson, Sarah (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Malnutrition caused by poor food intake affects one in three hospital patients in New Zealand and Australia. Inadequate nutrition has an adverse impact on recovery, length of hospital stay, readmission rates ...
The contribution of discretionary salt to the sodium and iodine intakes of New Zealand adults: a pilot study

Sharp, Lauren (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Iodised discretionary salt has been used as a method to improve the iodine status of the New Zealand population since 1939. Discretionary salt intake is estimated to be between 10-15% of total sodium intake ...
EAT5 Drinks - An investigation into the drink intake of five-year old children living in New Zealand

Moore, Robyn (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Children’s drink intake has been assessed in a number of international studies, and frequency of consumption of drinks has been assessed in several New Zealand surveys, the most recent being the 2002 Child ...
Feasibility of Following a Low Free Sugars Diet in New Zealand: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study

Olney, Sonja (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: To reduce morbidity associated with dental caries and weight gain, the World Health Organisation recommends intakes of free sugars should be less than 5% of total energy intake. Free sugars are defined as ...
The effects of soaking almonds on consumer acceptance and gastrointestinal tolerance

Taylor, Heidi (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Nuts have a favourable nutrient composition and are an important part of a cardio-protective diet. Nuts are also high in phytate, which can reduce the bioavailability of nutrients and can be problematic for ...
Food literacy in New Zealand school children: food skills

Davis, Nicola Jo (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Food literacy refers to the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary for the achievement of a healthy and sustainable diet. Food skills have been recognised as an essential component of food literacy and food ...
The Contribution of Discretionary Salt to the Iodine and Sodium Intakes of New Zealand Adults - A Pilot Study

Robertson, Ellyn Christina (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: New Zealand has a long history of moderate to mild iodine deficiency due to low levels of iodine in the soil. Iodised salt has been used as a vehicle to improve iodine intakes since the 1930’s. More recently, ...
Comparison of self-reported speed of eating with an objective measure of eating rate.

Woodward, Eilis Rose (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Research has shown a reduction in eating rate may be beneficial in the reduction of energy intake, obesity and diabetes risk. There is currently limited research as to what constitutes a fast eater and therefore ...
Hydration status and fluid intakes in Dunedin residents: A pilot study testing the use of an objective measure of hydration status for future population studies

Johanna, Tonnon (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Hydration is important for cognition, and the prevention of disease such as kidney stones. The current fluid recommendations (Adequate Intakes (AI)) for New Zealand adults from food and beverages combined are ...
A feasibility study to introduce regular activity breaks in the workplace: monitoring the effect of regular activity breaks on diet.

Hodgins, Phoebe (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Results from a recent body of research suggests that sedentary behaviour increases the risk of chronic disease (e.g. type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) through negative effects on cardiometabolic risk ...
A feasibility study to introduce regular activity breaks in the workplace: monitoring adherence to regular activity breaks

Bishop, Rebecca (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: The last five decades has seen a steady increase in the time spent in sedentary behaviour, with the workplace quickly becoming one of the biggest contributors to daily sedentary time. Prolonged sedentary behaviour ...
Food Literacy in New Zealand School Children: Food Origins

Power, Daisy Jay (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease is rising in New Zealand (NZ). Therefore, public health strategies are looking at the driving forces of poor ...
Zinc status of athletes compared to non-athletes

Holdaway, Cushla Rose (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient to human physiology, and has many vital roles in physical exertion. It is understood that athletes have increased dietary requirements to support their physical training. ...
A feasibility study to introduce regular activity breaks in the workplace: monitoring the effect of regular activity breaks on occupational musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, and productivity

Carter, Hannah (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Regularly interrupting sedentary behaviour with light physical activity has been shown to reduce postprandial glycaemia. However, these effects have been examined in response to a single day of light activity ...
EAT5: Eating frequency in 5-year old New Zealand children

Kennedy, Lucy Jennifer (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in New Zealand, with 11% of children obese and 22% overweight in 2014/15. There is evidence that eating more frequently may be associated with improved body composition, ...
Estimating Free Sugars Intake in New Zealand

Kibblewhite, Rachael Louise (Thesis, Master of Dietetics, 2017)

Background: Sugar has been implicated as a cause or risk factor in a number of diseases. Recently the focus of research and recommendations have shifted to emphasise the potential importance of free or added sugars on ...