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This theme recognised the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake, and having a healthy diet for cancer prevention. All the projects have a strong equity focus so all New Zealanders can benefit from good nutrition, physical activity, and reduced harm from alcohol.

Directors

Key researchers

  • Ryan Gage, HEPPRU; Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington
  • Associate Professor Christina McKerchar, HEPPRU; Department of Population Health, University of Otago, Christchurch
  • Dr Rana Peniamina, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin
  • Dr Bronwen McNoe, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin
  • Dr Viliami Puloka, HEPPRU; Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington
  • Professor Lisa Te Morenga, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington
  • Professor John Potter, Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington
  • Team of researchers at Michigan State University, part of HEPPRU research group

Access our nutrition, physical activity, and alcohol research publications

A project-by-project list of our publications with links.

Download
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Completed projects

Big snack

This project used Kids'Cam data to look at children's daily snacking behaviours and identify ways to promote healthy eating. Kids'Cam is an innovative project that involved children using automatic wearable cameras and GPS units. The project involved 168 children between the ages of 11 and 13, who recorded photos every seven seconds and locations every five seconds over four days. The children were randomly selected and recruited from 16 randomly selected schools in the Wellington region.

We found that on average, 12-year-old children snack on unhealthy food and beverages five times a day and consume more unhealthy snacks than healthy snacks.

Public awareness of link between nutrition, alcohol and cancer

This project assessed public awareness of the link between alcohol consumption, food, and the development of cancer and support for evidence-based alcohol and food policies to reduce people’s exposure to alcohol and dietary risk factors in their environment.

Public awareness of cancer risk factors & support for prevention policies in Aotearoa New Zealand: A focus on alcohol and diet (PDF)

Reducing childhood obesity in New Zealand

This project aimed to identify child-centred interventions to reduce childhood obesity using information about food availability, food marketing, active and non-active transport, and green space use. It included modelling of specific interventions to assess their potential impact.

Supporting advocacy for effective nutrition and alcohol policy

This project utilised available information on the effectiveness of nutrition and alcohol policies in other countries to identify ways to successfully promote healthy eating and physical activity, and to reduce harm from alcohol through New Zealand policies.

Local and regional government action on alcohol and food

In New Zealand, local government has an important role to play in the health and wellbeing of its citizens, which includes having control over alcohol / food advertising, marketing, and availability. This project assessed the state of alcohol and food environment policy at city/district/regional councils and developed tools to improve their local alcohol and food environments and allow national and international comparison.

Environmental Policy Initiative (EPI) tools

If you have questions, please contact:

Rana Peniamina
Email rana.peniamina@otago.ac.nz 

Local food-EPI downloads
Local aclcohol-EPI downloads
Feedback survey

Local EPI Feedback survey

Map of council policies

Map of Council policies relevant to cancer prevention

Projects nearing completion

Nutrition support for Māori cancer patients and whānau

In this project we worked with a Māori health provider, Māori cancer survivors and their whānau to develop and test an intervention that addresses barriers to good nutrition for whānau and enhances cancer prevention and cancer recovery through culturally appropriate dietary support.

Children's exposure to junk food marketing online

This project assessed the nature and extent of children's exposure to junk food and sugary drinks marketing online and how they engage with it.

Regulation of marketing of junk food, sugary drinks, and alcohol

Junk food, sugary drinks, and alcohol are heavily marketed which drives their consumption. This project will explore legal options for the regulation of marketing of junk food, sugary drinks, and alcohol in New Zealand.

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