Libby Swanepoel

The objective of this study was to explore consumers' use and perception of the Australian Health Star Rating (HSR). A purposive sample of fifteen Australian grocery shoppers was recruited into four focus groups using a supermarket intercept strategy. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an iterative approach to thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged from analysis. The HSR was seen as simple, uncluttered, easy to understand and useful for quick comparison across products. The nutrition information was viewed positively; however, there was little confidence in the HSR due to a perceived lack of transparency in the criteria used to determine the number of stars. Highly processed foods were generally seen as having inflated ratings and participants expressed concern that this would increase consumption of these products. Finally, there was a belief that the HSR had a lack of negative imagery limiting the dissuasive impact on consumers when presented with low-rated foods. Consumers saw benefits in the HSR but were sceptical about how the ratings were derived. Transparency about the development and education on the application may assist with consumers' perception of the HSR.

Abstract: Seaweeds are a source of food throughout the Pacific region. Kiribati, however, does not have a strong history of using seaweed in their diets, despite having reliable access to indigenous edible seaweeds. A series of peer-led seaweed training workshops held in Kiribati between 2018 and 2019 provided women with knowledge, skills, and motivational support needed to engage in the seaweed supply chain, from harvesting, processing, and marketing to consumption. This study aimed to identify opportunities and enablers to support women's participation across the seaweed supply chain. Structured interviews with 49 women explored their interest and expected costs and benefits from involvement in the supply chain. There was high interest in most seaweed-related activities and the key motivators were health and nutrition for themselves and their family. Participants were also interested in developing and sharing new skills and saw the potential for income generation. However, there were also clear barriers including a desire for further training in seaweed harvesting, processing, and recipe creation; additional social support; and in public promotion. Given the natural resources and desire of women to engage in developing this new edible seaweed supply chain in Kiribati, there is now a need for capacity development to build social and economic wellbeing and food security across the broader community. Additional peer-to-peer training opportunities may look to other Pacific Islands where seaweed is already an established and traditional food.

Aim: Lifelong eating behaviours are shaped in infancy with the introduction of solid foods (complementary feeding). A conventional approach to complementary feeding, encompassing spoon feeding of pureed foods, has long been the standard. Baby-led weaning is a contemporary approach whereby the infant is encouraged to choose what and how much they eat. Mothers navigate decisions about what and how to introduce foods to their infant in diverse ways. This study set out to explore the complementary feeding approaches of women. Methods: A qualitative study utilising photovoice and focus groups generated data that provided insight into women's lived experiences of complementary feeding. Thirteen women were purposively sampled and data were analysed in line with descriptive phenomenology. Results: Three recurrent themes emerged from the data. Women's approaches to complementary feeding were mediated by "trust," "convenience" and making decisions that were "value based versus practical based." Trust manifested in various forms including trusting the infant, trusting women's own instincts and the tension between social pressures and trust of self. Conclusions: Differences between women following a conventional vs baby-led approach were also seen in perceptions of convenience, and the decision-making process. This study provides insight into how and why women choose certain feeding practices and can be used to better equip health professionals to work with new mothers in providing realistic and nuanced feeding support.

Objective: To explore undergraduate students self-reported learning experience in a foundation nutrition education course/unit delivered using a flipped classroom approach (FCA), which requires students to complete independent learning before and after interactive in-class learning experiences. Methods: A descriptive cohort study design used selected items from a self-report flipped classroom student engagement questionnaire to assess Australian undergraduate student (n = 105) engagement in the course/unit and compared with nonflipped courses, preference for FCA, academic achievement, learning behaviors for 3 FCA learning phases, and more or less engaging aspects of the course/unit. Results: Most (66.5%) students were engaged or very engaged, with half (55%) more engaged in this course/unit compared with other nonflipped courses/units with a preference for the FCA (53%). Almost half of the students agreed the FCA improved their academic performance (grade) (45%) and other academic skills (ie, teamwork) (48.5%). Most student comments related to the value of participate phase activities. Conclusions and Implications: The FCA engaged most students in learning and is an emerging learning and teaching approach appropriate for undergraduate nutrition dietetic education.

Aims: Research involvement is fundamental to the practice of dietetics. The present study aims to benchmark the research track record of Australian dietetic academics, and to provide insight into how research productivity informs the level of appointment of academics across the career pathway. Methods: Australian dietetic faculty websites and corresponding Scopus database profiles were used to support a bibliographic analysis of Australian dietetic academics' research track record. Current research productivity in relation to academic attributes, level of appointment, and institutional characteristics were explored. Results: In Australia, dietetic academic level of appointment is logarithmically related to number of publications and relatively consistent across regions and university networks. Conclusions: Benchmarking provides universities with guidance regarding the performance to expect from academics at each academic level as well as feedback regarding recruitment and promotion practices. The present study provides an important benchmark for Australian dietetic academics and offers implications for individual academics and university management.