Deakin Research

Global recognition for C-PAN's Professor David Crawford

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:47:00 +1000

Alfred Deakin Professor David Crawford has been elected to the position of President-Elect of the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA).

ISBNPA is the peak scientific society in Professor Crawford’s field, with over 500 members from more than 30 countries.

“This is a wonderful honour for me personally,” Professor Crawford said.

“Also, and more importantly, it reflects well the quality of work we have been doing at Deakin, and particularly in the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (C-PAN).”

C-PAN is one of the new Strategic Research Centres identified by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Lee Astheimer.

Professor Crawford is the director of C-PAN.

The Centre's mission is to understand the role of nutrition and physical activity in common health conditions, and to develop strategies to enhance population health by improving nutrition and increasing physical activity to optimal levels.

C-PAN brings together expertise from a wide variety of disciplines including the exercise and nutrition sciences, social and behavioural sciences, epidemiology, geography and public health. C-PAN research covers the full spectrum of research, from basic metabolism and physiology, through clinical and behavioural studies, to community and population-based research.

Key areas of research include:

  • Measurement and monitoring of dietary intakes, dietary patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and the influences on these health behaviours.
  • Identifying factors influencing muscle and tendon development and function and developing strategies to improve musculoskeletal health.
  • Understanding and improving physical activity and sedentary behaviours, in infants, pre-school, primary and secondary school children, adults and older adults.
  • The factors influencing active transport and independent mobility in children, particularly those related to safety and perceived risk.
  • Understanding sensory determinants of food choice and the impact on obesity and health.
  • Understanding and improving eating behaviours in infants, children, adults and older adults.
  • Socioeconomic disadvantage in relation to obesity, eating and physical activity, and development of strategies to improve health behaviours in disadvantaged communities.
  • Neighbourhood design and urban planning and its impact on food access and physical activity opportunities within communities.
  • Modifying lifestyle practices and the food supply to reduce chronic disease burden, particularly from osteoporosis, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

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