Hattie H Wright

Biography

Hattie is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and a Senior Fellow of Higher Education. Hattie leads the Cancer Research Cluster within the School of Health at UniSC, is a theme lead of the Healthy Ageing Research Cluster, and is program coordinator of the Masters of Dietetics (Sports Nutrition) program.

Hattie has a passion for the role of nutrition in improving people's quality of life and health outcomes. Adhering to a healthy diet is often overlooked as a powerful strategy to improve function, reduce disease progression, and support chronic disease management which is ultimately associated with a better quality of life.

Therefore, Hattie’s research focus on the role of diet in disease management considering both the whole of diet as well as targeted nutrition interventions for improved health outcomes. Hattie is also interested in empowering people to self-manage healthy eating behaviours. She uses behaviour change theory to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence people’s food choice to better understand drivers of dietary adherence and inform effective interventions. Hattie has a special interest in health outcomes of older adults living with non-communicable disease, and people living with or touched by cancer.

Her scholarly research interest lies in the application of authentic learning experiences to deliver work ready, future-focused dietetic graduates.

Current research projects include:

1. Diet and exercise self-management behaviours of prostate cancer survivors.
2. Student-led clinics for enhanced diet and exercise care delivery of cancer survivors.
3. Lifestyle intervention to improve insomnia.
4. Health literacy and nutrition support provided by caregivers of patients with chronic kidney disease.
5. Rural Transition of Cancer Care guidelines.

Research areas

• Malnutrition (under and over-nutrition) and health-related outcomes in chronic disease prevention
• Innovative teaching and learning approaches to improve dietetic student skill development

Teaching areas

• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Nutrition and Dietetic skills

Expert media commentary

Dr Hattie Wright's specialist areas of knowledge include nutrition for adult health, focusing on musculoskeletal health, quality of life, and cardiovascular health.