Helen Vidgen Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting

Helen Vidgen

Helen is Senior Research Fellow at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Child Health Research. Her research focuses on the translation and implementation of two childhood obesity projects, PEACH (Parenting Eating and Activity for Child Health) and LEAPS (Learning Eating Active Play Sleep). Her other research area is food literacy and the practical everyday elements of meeting nutrition recommendations, having published her thesis in this area. Helen is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with extensive experience in a range of sectors and settings. Her first nutrition job in 1995 was as the sole clinical dietitian in a rural hospital. From there she progressed along the continuum of care from clinical roles in a tertiary hospital, community nutrition and executive officer roles at Nutrition Australia and finally into public health as one of the first public health nutritionists Queensland Health. In her twelve years with the State Health Department she worked in various roles including, Senior Public Health Nutritionist in corporate office and Director of Public Health Nutrition in the Southern Area Health Service. Helen has a strong interest in public health nutrition policy and implementation including workforce and capacity. She is the national co-convener for the Food and Nutrition Special Interest Group of the Public Health Association of Australia.