MSc, PhD(Otago)
Email rachel.brown@otago.ac.nz
Rachel Brown is the Deputy Head of Department. She is a graduate of the University of Otago with a BSc, MSc and PhD (1999). Rachel’s research interests lie in the areas of nuts and health, energy metabolism, sports nutrition, and lipid metabolism. Recently she has been involved in research investigating the effects of nut consumption on plasma lipids and lipoproteins, inflammation and endothelial function. This research also investigated whether public health advice regarding nut consumption for the reduction in cardiovascular disease risk is sustainable and achievable. She is also currently involved in a research project investigating potential differences in individuals who report difficulties in losing weight (conservers) compared to individuals who report difficulties in gaining weight (expenders).
Rachel is a member of the Agencies for Action Scientific committee where she has co-authored several reports including “Does the family environment contribute to food habits or behaviours and physical activity in children?”; “Does sedentary behaviour contribute to chronic disease or chronic disease risk in adults?”; and “Are nutrition and physical activity primary prevention interventions in the primary care setting effective at reducing biochemical and physical risk factors?”
Rachel coordinates the following papers:
HUNT451: Nutritional Assessment
HUNT452: Nutrition and Human Health
She also teaches in the following papers:
HUNT221: Obesity
HUNT232: High fat diets
HUNT233: Obesity
HEAL192: Obesity
DENT262: Dietary assessment, obesity, heart disease
Current postgraduate students
PhD
Rebecca Cooke. Characteristics of obesity resistance and susceptibility.
Melyssa Roy. The SWIFT trial: Support strategies for whole food diets, intermittent fasting and training.
Michelle Jospe. The SWIFT study – Effect of support strategies on weight, body composition, and eating and dieting behaviour at one year.
Master of Science
Janet Yong. Barriers and facilitators to nut consumption.
Luke Scullion. The HABIT study: Effects of healthy changes to bread on blood lipids and lipoproteins.
Master of Dietetics
Heidi Taylor. The effects of soaking whole and ground almonds on consumer acceptance.
Shivani Kumari. The effects of soaking on phytic acid and food safety of whole and ground nuts.
Recent graduates
PhD
Siew Ling Tey. Energy Density, energy balance and nuts.
Master of Science
Asika Devi. Is nut-enriched bread an acceptable and effective vechicle to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors?
Jo Slater. Low energy availability in New Zealand athletes (LEANZ).
Master of Dietetics
Alexandra Tully. Nutritional adequacy of three popular diets.
Melanie Park. A cost analysis of three popular diets.
Chloe Hindle. Energy Availability and Macronutrient Content of Elite Rugby Players' Diets.
Claire Gibson. Disordered eating and body image in elite male Rugby Union players during pre-season training.
Katherine Pearson. Nutrient displacement with nut consumption.
Esther Kim. The dietary assessment software requirements of New Zealand Dietitians.
Publications
Ware, L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., Tey, S. L., & Brown, R. (2022). Snacking on almonds reduces short-term energy intake. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 37. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009037
Brown, R., Mackay, S., Eyles, H., & Jalili-Moghaddam, S. (2022). Nutrition Society of New Zealand Annual Conference held virtually, New Zealand, 2nd and 3rd December 2021 [Editorial]. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 23. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009023
Gale, J., Haszard, J., Scott, T., Brown, R., Houghton, L., Heath, A.-L., & Peddie, M. (2022). Micronutrient status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians in a sample of New Zealand female adolescents. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 16. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009016
Pai, N. N., Brown, R. C., Haszard, J. J., & Black, K. E. (2022). Knowledge on signs and symptoms of relative energy deficiency in sports among healthcare professionals and physically active individuals. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 17. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009017
Peddie, M., Scott, T., Ranasinghe, C., Fleming, E., Webster, K., Brown, R., Houghton, L., & Haszard, J. (2022). Macronutrient intakes of a sample of New Zealand adolescent females consuming vegetarian and omnivorous diets. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 21. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009021
Tey, S. L., Chisholm, A. W.-A. H., & Brown, R. C. (2016). Nut consumption and metabolic syndrome. In I. Dichi & A. Name Colado Simão (Eds.), Nutritional intervention in metabolic syndrome. (pp. 289-312). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b19099-23
Chapter in Book - Research
Brown, R., Ware, L., & Tey, S. L. (2022). Effects of hazelnut consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors and acceptance: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19, 2880. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19052880
Journal - Research Article
Peddie, M., Scott, T., Ranasinghe, C., Fleming, E., Webster, K., Brown, R., Houghton, L., & Haszard, J. (2022). A sample of female adolescent self-identified vegetarians in New Zealand consume less protein and saturated fat, but more fiber than their omnivorous peers. Nutrients, 14, 711. doi: 10.3390/nu14030711
Journal - Research Article
Tran, G., Brown, R. C., & Neale, E. P. (2022). Perceptions of nut consumption amongst Australian nutrition and health professionals: An online survey. Nutrients, 14, 1660. doi: 10.3390/nu14081660
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R., Gray, A. R., Chua, M. G., Ware, L., Chisholm, A., & Tey, S. L. (2021). Is a handful an effective way to guide nut recommendations? International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 18(15), 7812. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157812
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R., Ware, L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., & Tey, S. L. (2021). Snacking on almonds lowers glycaemia and energy intake compared to a popular high‐carbohydrate snack food: An acute randomised crossover study. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 18, 10989. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010989
Journal - Research Article
Green, T. J., Whitfield, K. C., Daniels, L., Brown, R. C., & Houghton, L. A. (2021). Modeling thiamine fortification: A case study from Kuria atoll, Republic of Kiribati. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1498, 108-115. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14561
Journal - Research Article
Meredith-Jones, K., Taylor, R., Brown, R., Cooke, R., Vlietstra, L., Manning, P., Poulton, R., & Haszard, J. (2021). Age- and sex-specific visceral fat reference cutoffs and their association with cardio-metabolic risk. International Journal of Obesity, 45, 808-817. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00743-3
Journal - Research Article
Jospe, M. R., Roy, M., Brown, R. C., Haszard, J. J., Meredith-Jones, K., Fangupo, L. J., Osborne, H., Fleming, E. A., & Taylor, R. W. (2020). Intermittent fasting, Paleolithic, or Mediterranean diets in the real world: Exploratory secondary analyses of a weight-loss trial that included choice of diet and exercise. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 111, 503-514. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz330
Journal - Research Article
Kumari, S., Gray, A. R., Webster, K., Bailey, K., Reid, M., Han Kelvin, K. A., Tey, S. L., Chisholm, A., & Brown, R. C. (2020). Does ‘activating’ nuts affect nutrient bioavailability? Food Chemistry, 319, 126529. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126529
Journal - Research Article
Black, K. E., Hindle, C., McLay-Cooke, R., Brown, R. C., Gibson, C., Baker, D. F., & Smith, B. (2019). Dietary intakes differ by body composition goals: An observational study of professional rugby union players in New Zealand. American Journal of Men's Health, 13(6), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/1557988319891350
Journal - Research Article
Gibson, C., Hindle, C., McLay-Cooke, R., Slater, J., Brown, R., Smith, B., … Black, K. (2019). Body image amongst elite rugby union players. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 33(8), 2217-2222. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002312
Journal - Research Article
Houghton, L. A., Brown, R. C., Beaumont, S., Jennings, S., Bailey, K. B., Haszard, J. J., … Daniels, L., & Gibson, R. S. (2019). Micronutrient status differs among Maasai and Kamba preschoolers participating in a supplementary feeding program in Kenya. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 15, e12805. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12805
Journal - Research Article
Black, K., Slater, J., Brown, R. C., & Cooke, R. (2018). Low energy availability, plasma lipids, and hormonal profiles of recreational athletes. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(10), 2816-2824. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002540
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Gray, A. R., Yong, L. C., Chisholm, A., Leong, S. L., & Tey, S. L. (2018). A comparison of perceptions of nuts between the general public, dietitians, general practitioners, and nurses. PeerJ, 6, e5500. doi: 10.7717/peerj.5500
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Gray, A. R., Yong, L. C., Chisholm, A., Leong, S. L., & Tey, S. L. (2018). Current nut recommendation practices differ between health professionals in New Zealand. Public Health Nutrition, 21(6), 1065-1074. doi: 10.1017/S1368980017003469
Journal - Research Article
Roy, M., Williams, S. M., Brown, R. C., Meredith-Jones, K. A., Osborne, H., Jospe, M., & Taylor, R. W. (2018). High-intensity interval training in the real world: Outcomes from a 12-month intervention in overweight adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50(9), 1818-1826. doi: 10.1249/mss.0000000000001642
Journal - Research Article
Stamm, R. A., March, K. M., Karakochuk, C. D., Gray, A. R., Brown, R. C., Green, T. J., & Houghton, L. A. (2018). Lactating Canadian women consuming 100μg folic acid daily have high circulating serum folic acid above a threshold concentration of serum total folate. Journal of Nutrition, 148(7), 1103-1108. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy070
Journal - Research Article
Tan, S.-Y., Tey, S. L., & Brown, R. (2018). Can nuts mitigate malnutrition in older adults? A conceptual framework [Review]. Nutrients, 10(10), 1448. doi: 10.3390/nu10101448
Journal - Research Article
Taylor, H., Webster, K., Gray, A. R., Tey, S. L., Chisholm, A., Bailey, K., Kumari, S., & Brown, R. C. (2018). The effects of 'activating' almonds on consumer acceptance and gastrointestinal tolerance. European Journal of Nutrition, 57(8), 2771-2783. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1543-7
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Gray, A. R., Tey, S. L., Chisholm, A., Burley, V., Greenwood, D. C., & Cade, J. (2017). Associations between nut consumption and health vary between omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Nutrients, 9(11), 1219. doi: 10.3390/nu9111219
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Yong, L. C., Gray, A. R., Tey, S. L., Chisholm, A., & Leong, S. L. (2017). Perceptions and knowledge of nuts amongst health professionals in New Zealand. Nutrients, 9, 22. doi: 10.3390/nu9030220
Journal - Research Article
Jospe, M. R., Roy, M., Brown, R. C., Williams, S. M., Osborne, H. R., Meredith-Jones, K. A., McArthur, J. R., Fleming, E. A., & Taylor, R. W. (2017). The effect of different types of monitoring strategies on weight loss: A randomized controlled trial. Obesity, 25(9), 1490-1498. doi: 10.1002/oby.21898
Journal - Research Article
Jospe, M. R., Taylor, R. W., Athens, J., Roy, M., & Brown, R. C. (2017). Adherence to hunger training over 6 months and the effect on weight and eating behaviour: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Nutrients, 9(11), 1260. doi: 10.3390/nu9111260
Journal - Research Article
McLay-Cooke, R. T., Gray, A. R., Jones, L. M., Taylor, R. W., Skidmore, P. M. L., & Brown, R. C. (2017). Prediction equations overestimate the energy requirements more for obesity-susceptible individuals. Nutrients, 9(9), 1012. doi: 10.3390/nu9091012
Journal - Research Article
Pearson, K. R., Tey, S. L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., & Brown, R. C. (2017). Energy compensation and nutrient displacement following regular consumption of hazelnuts and other energy-dense snack foods in non-obese individuals. European Journal of Nutrition, 56(3), 1255-1267. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1176-2
Journal - Research Article
Slater, J., Brown, R., McLay-Cooke, R., & Black, K. (2017). Low energy availability in exercising women: Historical perspectives and future directions. Sports Medicine, 47(2), 207-220. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0583-0
Journal - Research Article
Tey, S. L., Robinson, T., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A. W., & Brown, R. C. (2017). Do dry roasting, lightly salting nuts affect their cardioprotective properties and acceptability? European Journal of Nutrition, 56(3), 1025-1036. doi: 10.1007/s00394-015-1150-4
Journal - Research Article
Yong, L. C., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., Leong, S. L., Tey, S. L., & Brown, R. C. (2017). Barriers to and facilitators and perceptions of nut consumption among the general population in New Zealand. Public Health Nutrition, 20(17), 3166-3182. doi: 10.1017/S1368980017002464
Journal - Research Article
Bradbury, K. E., Williams, S. M., Mann, J. I., Oey, I., Aitchison, C., Parnell, W., Fleming, L., Brown, R. C., & Skeaff, C. M. (2016). Serum and erythrocyte folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age following a countrywide voluntary programme by the baking industry to fortify bread with folic acid. Public Health Nutrition, 19(16), 2897-2905. doi: 10.1017/S136898001600121X
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Tey, S. L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., Smith, C., Fleming, E., & Parnell, W. (2016). Nut consumption is associated with better nutrient intakes: Results from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. British Journal of Nutrition, 115(1), 105-112. doi: 10.1017/S0007114515004122
Journal - Research Article
Devi, A., Chisholm, A., Gray, A., Tey, S. L., Williamson-Poutama, D., Cameron, S. L., & Brown, R. C. (2016). Nut-enriched bread is an effective and acceptable vehicle to improve regular nut consumption. European Journal of Nutrition, 55, 2281-2293. doi: 10.1007/s00394-015-1038-3
Journal - Research Article
Eyres, L., Eyres, M. F., Chisholm, A., & Brown, R. C. (2016). Coconut oil consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Nutrition Reviews, 74(4), 267-280. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuw002
Journal - Research Article
McLean, A., Brown, R. C., & Black, K. E. (2016). The fluid and electrolyte balance of New Zealand European and Maori/Pacific Island athletes: An observational study. European Journal of Sport Science, 16(3), 336-343. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2015.1017539
Journal - Research Article
Miller, J. C., Smith, C., Williams, S. M., Mann, J. I., Brown, R. C., Parnell, W. R., & Skeaff, C. M. (2016). Trends in serum total cholesterol and dietary fat intakes in New Zealand between 1989 and 2009. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(3), 263-269. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12504
Journal - Research Article
Slater, J., McLay-Cooke, R., Brown, R., & Black, K. (2016). Female recreational exercisers at risk of low energy availability. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 26(5), 421-427. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0245
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., McLay-Cooke, R., Gray, A. R., & Tey, S. L. (2015). Oral fatty acid sensitivity among obesity resistant and obesity susceptible individuals. Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, 1(1), 7. Retrieved from http://clinical-nutrition.imedpub.com/archive.php
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Tey, S. L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., Smith, C., Fleming, E., & Parnell, W. (2015). Association of nut consumption with cardiometabolic risk factors in the 2008/2009 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Nutrients, 7(9), 7523-7542. doi: 10.3390/nu7095351
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R., Sam, C. H. Y., Green, T., & Wood, S. (2015). Effect of GutsyGum™, a novel gum, on subjective ratings of gastro esophageal reflux following a refluxogenic meal. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 12(2), 138-145. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2014.950783
Journal - Research Article
Jospe, M. R., Brown, R. C., Roy, M., & Taylor, R. W. (2015). Adherence to hunger training using blood glucose monitoring: A feasibility study. Nutrition & Metabolism, 12, 22. doi: 10.1186/s12986-015-0017-2
Journal - Research Article
Tey, S. L., Robinson, T., Davis, H., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A. W., & Brown, R. C. (2015). The effect of regular hazelnut consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and acceptance in Māori and European. Journal of Nutrients, 2(2), 39-53.
Journal - Research Article
Black, K. E., Skidmore, P., & Brown, R. C. (2014). Fluid balance of cyclists during a 387-km race. European Journal of Sport Science, 14(Suppl. 1), S421-S428. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2012.711860
Journal - Research Article
Bradbury, K. E., Williams, S. M., Mann, J. I., Brown, R. C., Parnell, W., & Skeaff, C. M. (2014). Estimation of serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations in the New Zealand adult population within a background of voluntary folic acid fortification. Journal of Nutrition, 144(1), 68-74. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.182105
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., McLay-Cooke, R. T., Richardson, S. L., Williams, S. M., Grattan, D. R., & Chisholm, A. W.-A. H. (2014). Appetite response among those susceptible or resistant to obesity. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2014, 512013. doi: 10.1155/2014/512013
Journal - Research Article
Brown, R. C., Tey, S. L., Gray, A. R., Chisholm, A., Smith, C., Fleming, E., Blakey, C., & Parnell, W. (2014). Patterns and predictors of nut consumption: Results from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(12), 2028-2040. doi: 10.1017/s0007114514003158
Journal - Research Article
Cosgrove, S. D., Love, T. D., Brown, R. C., Baker, D. F., Howe, A. S., & Black, K. E. (2014). Fluid and electrolyte balance during two different preseason training sessions in elite rugby union players. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28(2), 520-527. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182986d43
Journal - Research Article
Haywood, B. A., Black, K. E., Baker, D., McGarvey, J., Healey, P., & Brown, R. C. (2014). Probiotic supplementation reduces the duration and incidence of infections but not severity in elite rugby union players. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 17(4), 356-360. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2013.08.004
Journal - Research Article
Black, K. E., Huxford, J., Perry, T., & Brown, R. C. (2013). Fluid and sodium balance of elite wheelchair rugby players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 23, 110-118.
Journal - Research Article
Richmond, K., Williams, S., Mann, J., Brown, R., & Chisholm, A. (2013). Markers of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes are improved by the daily consumption of almonds or sunflower kernels: A feeding study. ISRN Nutrition, 2013, 626414. doi: 10.5402/2013/626414
Journal - Research Article
Smith, C., Parnell, W. R., Brown, R. C., & Gray, A. R. (2013). Balancing the diet and the budget: Food purchasing practices of food-insecure families in New Zealand. Nutrition & Dietetics, 70(4), 278-285. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12043
Journal - Research Article
