Deakin PhD graduate examines how dads impact childhood obesity
A Deakin PhD graduate whose work examines the impact fathers have on obesity-related behaviours in their young children is among those graduating from Deakin this week across four ceremonies at the University's Geelong Waterfront campus.
Dr Adam Walsh, who continues his research as a dietetics lecturer within Deakin's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, will join a host of other scientists, teachers, engineers, nurses, architects, accountants and more as part of the graduating class.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said this week's ceremonies would celebrate the passion, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of the University's graduating cohort.
"A characteristic evident in all Deakin graduates is a 'can do' approach to the task at hand – however large or small – and a commitment to the Deakin values of excellence, equity, collegiality and the public good," Professor den Hollander said.
"These ceremonies aren't a farewell, but the beginning of a new kind of relationship with Deakin, and an introduction to a network of sharers of knowledge, providers of professional connections, wise mentors and future employers to support our alumni throughout their lifelong journey."
Dr Walsh said his PhD research within Deakin's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition showed how eating behaviours modelled by fathers of children as young as 20 months of age could influence dietary choices for years to come.
"Even dads who don't cook or prepare meals have an indirect influence on their child's dietary behaviours through their own individual food likes, dislikes, and role modelling," he said.
"Little things like what the dad is doing during mealtimes – if he's sitting with the rest of the family, if he's eating the same thing as everyone else – can have a profound impact, and possibly lead to obesity-related behaviours in later life.
"There's still that attitude in a lot of Australian families that it's up to mums to be the nutrition gatekeepers, while dads are in charge of kicking the footy.
"What we've seen is dads need to play a more proactive role in engaging in healthy eating behaviours with their children, and there needs to be a greater focus on paternal involvement in family-based research to reduce the negative consequences of poor child health behaviours in later life."
Four graduation ceremonies are scheduled this week for the Deakin graduates who completed their degrees in Trimester 3 2017, to be held 12pm and 6pm Tuesday 19 June and 12pm and 6pm Wednesday 20 June.
Guest speakers for the events are ABC Chief Economics Correspondent Emma Alberici, Echo Group Australia Chief Executive Officer Erik Zimmerman, Royal Children's Hospital Nurse Practitioner and leader in nurse-led paediatric dermatology care Emma King and outgoing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment Executive Dean Professor Trevor Day.
The ceremonies will be available to stream online.
