Sara Styles, Our people, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, New Zealand

Sara Styles image BSc(Salem) MSc(Marywood) PhD(Otago)

Dr Sara Styles is a lecturer in the Department of Human Nutrition with a background in psychology, behavioural nutrition, and public health. Her research focuses on understanding and promoting health and well-being in the general population and people with Type 1 diabetes.

Sara has extensive expertise in the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions to promote health. She has vast experience using qualitative and quantitative research methods (primarily surveys, feasibility studies, randomised controlled trials, and descriptive qualitative studies).

She is currently testing the feasibility of validating a snacking questionnaire for New Zealand youth with Type 1 Diabetes and using the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) to develop an intervention to improve glycaemic control among young people with Type 1 diabetes. A Lottery Health Research-funded optimisation trial will evaluate brief intervention components targeting glucose monitoring, snacking, sleep, and motivation. Previously, she developed and tested a web-based intervention that taught women intuitive eating and psychological flexibility skills. This research found that teaching intuitive eating and psychological flexibility skills to mid-age women with a higher than recommended body mass is a promising approach for increasing intuitive eating, psychological flexibility and general mental health, as well as reducing binge eating.

Before moving to New Zealand in 2012, Sara worked as a Health Programme Specialist for Broome County Office for Aging (New York, USA). In this role, she delivered public talks on nutrition topics and co-led interventions to prevent falls and enhance skills to self-manage Type 2 Diabetes in older adults.

Sara welcomes postgraduate students with an interest in behavioural nutrition.

Memberships

Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Current postgraduate students

PhD

Hannah Martin. Change in motivational profiles for eating behaviour over five years in New Zealand women and their associations with intuitive eating (primary supervisor).
Mona Elbalshy. Investigating a new Type 1 Diabetes glucose monitoring technology and its impact on children and their families (co-supervisor).
Ioanna Katiforis. Impact of living in a food insecure household on New Zealand infants 7.0-9.9 months of age and their primary carer (co-supervisor).
Shelley Rose. The role and impact of glucose monitoring technology in youth with Type 1 Diabetes (co-supervisor).

Master of Health Sciences

Olivia Coady. The barriers and facilitators in adhering to the New Zealand Healthy Food and Drink Guidance-Schools (2020) in New Zealand Secondary School Canteens (co-supervisor).

Master of Medical Science

Jessica Wong. Diabetes-related technology (co-supervisor).

Recent graduates

Melanie Thompson, PhD 2021. Changes in intuitive eating in mid-age New Zealand women: A mixed-methods study (primary supervisor).
Brooke Marsters, BMedSc(Hons) 2020. Flash glucose monitoring among youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: cutaneous adverse events and sensor longevity (co-supervisor).
Grace Macaulay, BMedSc(Hons) 2018. Sleep disturbance in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and their parents (co-supervisor).

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Publications

Styles, S. E., Crocket, H. R., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., & Wheeler, B. J. (2023). Perceptions and experiences of using intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring among youth ages 13-20 years with type 1 diabetes and above recommended HbA1c: A qualitative study. Medical Sciences Forum, 18(1), 28. doi: 10.3390/msf2023018028

Katiforis, I., Smith, C., Haszard, J. J., Styles, S. E., Leong, C., Taylor, R. W., Conlon, C. A., Beck, K. L., … Te Morenga, L. A., McLean, N., Jupiterwala, R., Cox, A., Jones, E., Brown, K., Rowan, M., Casale, M., … Heath, A.-L. M. (2023). Prevalence of household food insecurity in New Zealand families with infants. Medical Sciences Forum, 18(1), 18. doi: 10.3390/msf2023018018

Rose, S., Haszard, J. J., Galland, B. C., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., Smart, C. E., Ketu-Mckenzie, M., … Jefferies, C. A., Wheeler, B. J., & Styles, S. E. (2022). The OPTIMISE study protocol: A multicentre optimisation trial comparing continuous glucose monitoring, snacking habits, sleep extension and values-guided self-care interventions to improve glucose time-in-range in young people (13–20 years) with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s40200-022-01089-x

Palmer, O., Sehgal, S., Boucsein, A., Styles, S., Crocket, H., Paul, R. G., & Wheeler, B. J. (2022). Smart watch integrated do-it-yourself continuous glucose monitoring (DIY-CGM) in adults with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1557), (pp. 105-106). Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Rose, S., Haszard, J. J., Galland, B. C., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., Smart, C. E., Ketu-Mckenzie, M., … Thomson, R., Jefferies, C. A., Wheeler, B. J., & Styles, S. E. (2022). The OPTIMISE study protocol: A multicentre optimisation trial comparing continuous glucose monitoring, snacking habits, sleep extension and values-guided self-care interventions to improve glucose time-in-range in youth with type 1 diabetes. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) Annual Scientific Meeting. (pp. 44). Retrieved from https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/NZSSD22/welcome.html

Lovell, S., Gray, A., & Boucher, S. (2016). Experiences of economic change in small town New Zealand: Implications for voluntarism and community capacity. In M. Skinner & N. Hanlon (Eds.), Ageing resource communities: New frontiers of rural population change, community development and voluntarism. (pp. 119-130). Abingdon, Uk: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Crocket, H., Elbalshy, M. M., Kavanagh, T., Styles, S., Galland, B., Haszard, J. J., Wiltshire, E., Jefferies, C., de Bock, M., Tomlinson, P., Jones, S., & Wheeler, B. J. (2022). Parental experiences of short term supported use of a do-it-yourself continuous glucose monitor (DIYrtCGM): A qualitative study. Diabetic Medicine, 39, e14731. doi: 10.1111/dme.14731

Journal - Research Article

Elbalshy, M. M., Styles, S., Haszard, J. J., Galland, B. C., Crocket, H., Jefferies, C., Wiltshire, E., Tomlinson, P., de Bock, M. I., & Wheeler, B. J. (2022). The effect of do-it-yourself real-time continuous glucose monitoring on psychological and glycemic variables in children with type 1 diabetes: A randomized crossover trial. Pediatric Diabetes. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13331

Journal - Research Article

Groves, M., Styles, S., & de Bock, M. (2022). Insulin pump special eligibility criteria in New Zealand: A survey of prescriber opinion and practice. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1552), 82-88. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Journal - Research Article

Rose, S., Styles, S. E., Wiltshire, E. J., Stanley, J., Galland, B. C., de Bock, M. I., Tomlinson, P. A., … MacKenzie, K. E., & Wheeler, B. J. (2022). Use of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring in young people with high-risk type 1 diabetes: Extension phase outcomes following a 6-month randomized control trial. Diabetic Medicine, 39(5), e14756. doi: 10.1111/dme.14756

Journal - Research Article

Marsters, B., Shi, B., Wheeler, B. J., Boucher, S., Macaulay, G., Galland, B., Elder, D., Larsen, P., & Wiltshire, E. (2021). Advanced ECG analysis of cardiac function in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A pilot study. Acta Diabetologica, 58, 1119-1122. doi: 10.1007/s00592-021-01704-y

Journal - Research Article

Rose, S., Boucher, S. E., Galland, B. C., Wiltshire, E. J., Stanley, J., Smith, C., de Bock, M. I., … MacKenzie, K. E., & Wheeler, B. J. (2021). Impact of high-risk glycemic control on habitual sleep patterns and sleep quality among youth (13-20 years) with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to controls without diabetes. Pediatric Diabetes, 22, 823-831. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13215

Journal - Research Article

Boucher, S. E., Aum, S. H., Crocket, H. R., Wiltshire, E. J., Tomlinson, P. A., de Bock, M. I., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Exploring parental perspectives after commencement of flash glucose monitoring for type 1 diabetes in adolescents and young adults not meeting glycaemic targets: A qualitative study. Diabetic Medicine, 37(4), 657-664. doi: 10.1111/dme.14188

Journal - Research Article

Boucher, S. E., Gray, A. R., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., Galland, B. C., Tomlinson, P. A., … Rose, S., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Effect of 6 months of flash glucose monitoring in youth with type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control: A randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care, 43, 2388-2395. doi: 10.2337/dc20-0613

Journal - Research Article

Boucher, S., Blackwell, M., Galland, B., de Bock, M., Crocket, H., Wiltshire, E., Tomlinson, P., … Wheeler, B. (2020). Initial experiences of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control after starting flash glucose monitoring: A qualitative study. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 19, 37-46. doi: 10.1007/s40200-019-00472-5

Journal - Research Article

Elbalshy, M., Boucher, S., Crocket, H., Galland, B., MacKenzie, C., de Bock, M. I., … Wiltshire, E., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Exploring parental experiences of using a do-it-yourself solution for continuous glucose monitoring among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study. Journal of Diabetes Science & Technology, 14(5), 844-853. doi: 10.1177/1932296819895290

Journal - Research Article

Macaulay, G. C., Boucher, S. E., Yogarajah, A., Galland, B. C., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Sleep and night-time caregiving in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 18(5), 622-636. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2019.1647207

Journal - Research Article

Macaulay, G. C., Galland, B. C., Boucher, S. E., Wiltshire, E. J., Haszard, J. J., Campbell, A. J., Black, S. M., Smith, C., Elder, D., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus, glucose levels, and glycaemic control on sleep in children and adolescents: A case-control study. Sleep, 43(2), 1-11. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz226

Journal - Research Article

Marsters, B. L., Boucher, S. E., Galland, B. C., de Lange, M., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., Elbalshy, M. M., Tomlinson, P. A., … Wheeler, B. J. (2020). The 'flash' adhesive study: A randomized crossover trial using an additional adhesive patch to prolong freestyle libre sensor life among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetologica, 57(11), 1307-1314. doi: 10.1007/s00592-020-01556-y

Journal - Research Article

Marsters, B. L., Boucher, S. E., Galland, B. C., Wiltshire, E. J., de Bock, M. I., Tomlinson, P. A., … MacKenzie, K. E., … Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Cutaneous adverse events in a randomized controlled trial of flash glucose monitoring among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Pediatric Diabetes, 21, 1516-1524. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13121

Journal - Research Article

Mohd Asarani, N. A., Reynolds, A. N., Boucher, S. E., de Bock, M., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). Cutaneous complications with continuous or flash glucose monitoring use: Systematic review of trials and observational studies. Journal of Diabetes Science & Technology, 14(2), 328-337. doi: 10.1177/1932296819870849

Journal - Research Article

Barraclough, E. L., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Boucher, S. E., Tylka, T. L., & Horwath, C. C. (2019). Learning to eat intuitively: A qualitative exploration of the experience of mid-age women. Health Psychology Open, 6(1). doi: 10.1177/2055102918824064

Journal - Research Article

Lovell, S. A., Gray, A., & Boucher, S. E. (2018). Economic marginalization and community capacity: How does industry closure in a small town affect perceptions of place? Journal of Rural Studies, 62, 107-115. doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2018.07.002

Journal - Research Article

Lovell, S. A., Gray, A. R., & Boucher, S. E. (2017). Place, health, and community attachment: Is community capacity associated with self-related health at the individual level? SSM Population Health, 3, 153-161. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2016.12.002

Journal - Research Article

Boucher, S., Edwards, O., Gray, A., Nada-Raja, S., Lillis, J., Tylka, T. L., & Horwath, C. C. (2016). Teaching intuitive eating and acceptance and commitment therapy skills via a web-based intervention: A pilot single-arm intervention study. JMIR Research Protocols, 5(4), e180. doi: 10.2196/resprot.5861

Journal - Research Article

Boucher, S., Gray, A., Leong, S. L., Sharples, H., & Horwath, C. (2015). Token monetary incentives improve mail survey response rates and participant retention: Results from a large randomised prospective study of mid-age New Zealand women. New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1413). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Lovell, S. A., Gray, A. R., & Boucher, S. E. (2015). Developing and validating a measure of community capacity: Why volunteers make the best neighbours. Social Science & Medicine, 133, 261-268. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.09.049

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Styles, S., Wheeler, B., Boucsein, A., Crocket, H., de Lange, M., Signal, D., Wiltshire, E., … de Bock, M., … Jefferies, C. (2021). A comparison of FreeStyle Libre 2 to self-monitoring of blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes and sub-optimal glycaemic control: A 12-week randomised controlled trial protocol. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 20, 2093-2101. doi: 10.1007/s40200-021-00907-y

Journal - Research Other

Elbalshy, M., Boucher, S., Galland, B., Haszard, J. J., Crocket, H., Wiltshire, E., Jefferies, C., de Bock, M. I., Tomlinson, P., Jones, S., & Wheeler, B. J. (2020). The MiaoMiao study: Can do-it-yourself continuous glucose monitoring technology improve fear of hypoglycaemia in parents of children affected by type 1 diabetes? Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 19, 1647-1658. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00671-5

Journal - Research Other

Boucher, S. E., Gray, A. R., de Bock, M., Wiltshire, E. J., Galland, B. C., Tomlinson, P. A., … MacKenzie, K. E., & Wheeler, B. J. (2019). Effect of 6 months' flash glucose monitoring in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycaemic control: Managing diabetes in a 'flash' randomised controlled trial protocol. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 19(1), 50. doi: 10.1186/s12902-019-0378-z

Journal - Research Other