Profile image of Alison Spence

Dr Alison Spence

STAFF PROFILE

Position

Senior Lecturer

Faculty

Faculty of Health

Department

School of Exer & Nutr Sciences

Campus

Melbourne Burwood Campus

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin University, 2012
Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics, Deakin University, 2007

Contact

a.spence@deakin.edu.au
+61 3 924 45481

Research interests

Dr Spence is an expert in early childhood nutrition, focussing on children under five years of age. She conducts research in nutrition promotion for families with young children, with a particular interest in child dietary assessment and influences on young children’s diets, including family meals, parental feeding practices and role modelling, childcare mealtimes, and practical strategies for improvements.

Affiliations

Dietitians Australia (DA) member

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) - National Nutrition Network member

Teaching interests

Dr Spence is passionate about public health nutrition, and about upskilling students for work in this important area. She teaches Community and Public Health Nutrition and manages community placements within the Master of Dietetics, and also acts as course Co-Director. She also enjoys supervising Honours, PhD and placement students on early childhood nutrition projects.

Conferences

Alison Spence, Rachel Laws & Karen Campbell. Recipes as a “sticky hook” to engage parents in family meals promotion. International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity international conference, online, 2020.

Alison Spence, Amy Wakem, Ros Sambell, Amanda Devine, Margaret Rozman, Rebecca Byrne, Rebecca Golley, Kaylah Schroeter, Bianca Trajcevski, Rachael Kambouris, Devon Archard, Julia MIddeke, Jessica Cassado & Penny Love. Benchmarking food provision guidelines for Australian Early Childhood Education and Care services. World Public Health Nutrition Congress, online, 2020.

Alison Spence, Jess Haines, Gavin Abbott, Jennifer McCann, Eloise-kate Litterbach & Karen Campbell. Family meals with young children: parent identified motivators and barriers associated with eating together. Dietitians Association of Australia National conference, Sydney 2018.

Professional activities

Reviewer for Appetite, International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Public Health Nutrition, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour and Raising Children Network.

Awards

2012 ‘Highly commended Research in Practice’ award at International Congress of Dietetics

2010 'Research in Practice' award at Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference

2008-2011 Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Projects

Family Meals with Young Kids Study, 2014-2016

The Melbourne InFANT Program

Publications

Filter by

2024

Mapping the behaviour change potential of meal kits to positively influence parental food literacy

K Fraser, B Johnson, P Love, A Spence, R Laws, K Campbell

(2024), Vol. 27, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1

journal article
2023

Frequency and Distribution of Dietary Energy, Vegetable, Fruit and Discretionary Food Intakes in 18-month-old Australian Children

J Chui, K Lacy, M Zheng, R Leech, S McNaughton, A Spence

(2023), Vol. 130, pp. 513-524, British Journal of Nutrition, England, C1

journal article

"That's the routine": A qualitative exploration of mealtime screen use in lower educated Australian families with young children

E Litterbach, R Laws, M Zheng, K Campbell, A Spence

(2023), Vol. 180, pp. 106377-106377, Appetite, England, C1

journal article

Mothers' descriptions of their feeding strategies in response to fussy eating with children of different levels of trait fussiness

A Burnett, C Russell, K Lacy, A Worsley, A Spence

(2023), Vol. 187, Appetite, C1

journal article

Iron Nutrition of Pre-Schoolers in High-Income Countries: A Review

L Atkins, A Spence, E Szymlek-Gay

(2023), Vol. 15, pp. 1-17, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Environmental sustainability and food provision in the early childhood and education setting

A Elford, A Spence, A Wakem, M Rozman, K Campbell, P Love

(2023), Vol. 26, pp. 2200-2210, Public Health Nutrition, C1-1

journal article

Meal kit subscription services and opportunities to improve family vegetable consumption

Kylie Fraser, Penelope Love, Rachel Laws, Karen Campbell, Alison Spence

(2023), Vol. 38, pp. 1-13, Health Promotion International, Oxford, Eng,, C1

journal article

Mothers' experiences of reducing family mealtime screen use in Australian households with young children

E Litterbach, R Laws, M Zheng, K Campbell, A Spence

(2023), pp. 1-30, Public Health Nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1

journal article
2022

Groups of mothers based on feeding practices and their associations with dietary quality of pre-school children: A latent profile analysis

A Burnett, K Lacy, C Russell, A Spence, A Worsley, K Lamb

(2022), Vol. 168, pp. 1-8, Appetite, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1

journal article

Barriers and enablers to menu planning guideline implementation in Australian childcare centres and the role of government support services

A Elford, A Spence, A Wakem, K Campbell, P Love

(2022), Vol. 25, pp. 2661-2670, Public Health Nutrition, C1

journal article

Mealtime TV Use Is Associated with Higher Discretionary Food Intakes in Young Australian Children: A Two-Year Prospective Study

E Litterbach, M Zheng, K Campbell, R Laws, A Spence

(2022), Vol. 14, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Exploring the Use of a Web-Based Menu Planning Tool in Childcare Services: Qualitative Cross-sectional Survey Study

Jessica Kempler, Penelope Love, Kristy Bolton, Margaret Rozman, Alison Spence

(2022), Vol. 6, pp. 1-18, JMIR Formative Research, Toronto, Canada, C1

journal article

Nurturing children's development through healthy eating and active living: Time for policies to support effective interventions in the context of responsive emotional support and early learning

H Skouteris, R Green, A Chung, H Bergmeier, L Amir, S Baidwan, A Chater, C Chamberlain, R Emond, K Gibbons, M Gooey, K Hatzikiriakidis, E Haycraft, A Hills, D Higgins, O Hooper, S Hunter, P Kappelides, S Kleve, J Krakouer, J Lumeng, Y Manios, A Mansoor, M Marmot, L Mâsse, K Matvienko-Sikar, Z Mchiza, C Meyer, G Moschonis, E Munro, T O'Connor, A O'Neil, T Quarmby, R Sandford, J Schneiderman, S Sherriff, D Simkiss, A Spence, E Sturgiss, D Vicary, R Wickes, L Wolfenden, M Story, M Black

(2022), Vol. 30, pp. e6719-e6729, Health and Social Care in the Community, England, C1

journal article
2021

Dietary patterns of Australian pre-schoolers and associations with haem and non-haem iron intakes

L Atkins, S McNaughton, A Spence, E Szymlek-Gay

(2021), Vol. 60, pp. 3059-3070, European Journal of Nutrition, Germany, C1

journal article

Association between longitudinal trajectories of lifestyle pattern and BMI in early childhood

M Zheng, S Lioret, K Hesketh, A Spence, R Taylor, K Campbell

(2021), Vol. 29, pp. 879-887, Obesity, Chichester, Eng., C1

journal article

Parenting style as a predictor of dietary score change in children from 4 to 14 years of age. Findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

A Burnett, K Lamb, A Spence, K Lacy, A Worsley

(2021), Vol. 24, pp. 6058-6066, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1

journal article

Associations between feeding practices and child dietary quality, and the moderating effect of child eating behaviours on these associations

A Burnett, K Lamb, A Spence, K Lacy, A Worsley

(2021), Vol. 43, Eating Behaviors, United States, C1

journal article

Characterizing children's eating patterns: does the choice of eating occasion definition matter?

R Leech, A Spence, K Lacy, M Zheng, A Timperio, S McNaughton

(2021), Vol. 18, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, England, C1

journal article
2020

Adequacy of iron intakes and socio-demographic factors associated with iron intakes of Australian pre-schoolers

L Atkins, S McNaughton, A Spence, E Szymlek-Gay

(2020), Vol. 59, pp. 175-184, European Journal of Nutrition, Germany, C1

journal article

Childcare food provision recommendations vary across australia: Jurisdictional comparison and nutrition expert perspectives

A Spence, P Love, R Byrne, A Wakem, L Matwiejczyk, A Devine, R Golley, R Sambell

(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 1-21, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Student satisfaction with feedback in a third year nutrition unit: A strategic approach

L Milne, J McCann, K Bolton, J Savage, A Spence

(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 1-18, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, C1

journal article
2019

Home environment predictors of vegetable and fruit intakes among Australian children aged 18 months

K Lacy, A Spence, S McNaughton, D Crawford, R Wyse, L Wolfenden, K Campbell

(2019), Vol. 139, pp. 95-104, Appetite, England, C1

journal article
2018

Early Childhood Vegetable, Fruit, and Discretionary Food Intakes Do Not Meet Dietary Guidelines, but Do Show Socioeconomic Differences and Tracking over Time

A Spence, K Campbell, S Lioret, S McNaughton

(2018), Vol. 118, pp. 1634-1643.e1, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, United States, C1

journal article

Mothers' perceptions of Toddler beverages

M Rigo, J Willcox, A Spence, A Worsley

(2018), Vol. 10, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1

journal article
2017

Validity of short food questionnaire items to measure intake in children and adolescents: a systematic review

R Golley, L Bell, G Hendrie, A Rangan, A Spence, S McNaughton, L Carpenter, M Allman-Farinelli, A de Silva, T Gill, C Collins, H Truby, V Flood, T Burrows

(2017), Vol. 30, pp. 36-50, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, England, C1

journal article

Family meals with young children: An online study of family mealtime characteristics, among Australian families with children aged six months to six years

E Litterbach, K Campbell, A Spence

(2017), Vol. 17, BMC Public Health, England, C1

journal article
2016

Mothers' perceptions of Melbourne InFANT Program: Informing future practice

P Lunn, S Roberts, A Spence, K Hesketh, K Campbell

(2016), Vol. 31, pp. 614-622, Health Promotion International, England, C1

journal article

Mothers' perceptions of the influences on their child feeding practices - a qualitative study

A Spence, K Hesketh, D Crawford, K Campbell

(2016), Vol. 105, pp. 596-603, Appetite, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1

journal article

Practicalities and research considerations for conducting childhood obesity prevention interventions with families

P Morgan, R Jones, C Collins, K Hesketh, M Young, T Burrows, A Magarey, H Brown, T Hinkley, R Perry, L Brennan, A Spence, K Campbell

(2016), Vol. 3, Children, Switzerland, C1

journal article
2015

A review of the relationship between socioeconomic position and the early-life predictors of obesity

A Cameron, A Spence, R Laws, K Hesketh, S Lioret, K Campbell

(2015), Vol. 4, pp. 350-362, Current obesity reports, New York, N. Y., C1

journal article
2014

Mediators of improved child diet quality following a health promotion intervention: the Melbourne InFANT program

Alison Spence, Karen Campbell, David Crawford, Sarah McNaughton, Kylie Hesketh

(2014), Vol. 11, pp. 1-11, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, C1

journal article
2013

Association between maternal education and diet of children at 9 months is partially explained by mothers' diet

S Lioret, A Cameron, S McNaughton, D Crawford, A Spence, K Hesketh, K Campbell

(2013), pp. 1-12, Maternal and child nutrition, London, Eng, C1

journal article

Tracking of dietary intakes in early childhood : the Melbourne InFANT program

S Lioret, S McNaughton, A Spence, D Crawford, K Campbell

(2013), Vol. 67, pp. 275-281, European journal of clinical nutrition, London, England, C1

journal article

A parent-focused intervention to reduce infant obesity risk behaviors: a randomized trial

K Campbell, S Lioret, S McNaughton, D Crawford, J Salmon, K Ball, Z McCallum, B Gerner, A Spence, A Cameron, J Hnatiuk, O Ukoumunne, L Gold, G Abbott, K Hesketh

(2013), Vol. 131, pp. 652-660, Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, Ill., C1

journal article

A health promotion intervention can affect diet quality in early childhood

A Spence, S McNaughton, S Lioret, K Hesketh, D Crawford, K Campbell

(2013), Vol. 143, pp. 1672-1678, Journal of nutrition, Bethesda, Maryland, C1

journal article

Home food availability mediates associations between mothers' nutrition knowledge and child diet

K Campbell, G Abbott, A Spence, D Crawford, S McNaughton, K Ball

(2013), Vol. 71, pp. 1-6, Appetite, Amsterdam, Netherlands, C1

journal article
2012

Parents' dietary patterns are significantly correlated : findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial Program

S Lioret, S McNaughton, D Crawford, A Spence, K Hesketh, K Campbell

(2012), Vol. 108, pp. 518-526, British journal of nutrition, Cambridge, England, C1

journal article

A parent focused child obesity prevention intervention improves some mother obesity risk behaviors : the Melbourne infant program

S Lioret, K Campbell, D Crawford, A Spence, K Hesketh, S McNaughton

(2012), Vol. 9, pp. 1-10, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, C1

journal article

Funded Projects at Deakin

Australian Competitive Grants

A nutrition and movement behaviour intervention for toddlers: efficacy, cost effectiveness and scale-up pathways

Prof Kylie Hesketh, A/Prof Rachel Laws, Dr Penny Love, A/Prof Harriet Koorts, Ms Brittany Markides, Prof Jo Salmon, Prof Jan Nicholson, Dr Miaobing Zheng, Dr Katherine Downing, Dr Victoria Brown, Prof Liliana Orellana, A/Prof Rachael Taylor, Dr Alison Spence

MRFF (NHMRC) Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles

  • 2024: $1,298,944

Supervisions

Principal Supervisor
2023

Eloise-Kate Litterbach

Thesis entitled: Family mealtime screen use in Australian families with young children

Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Associate Supervisor
2022

Linda Atkins

Thesis entitled: Iron nutrition of Australian pre-schoolers

Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

2020

Alissa Jane Burnett

Thesis entitled: Parenting styles and their associations with the dietary intakes of children

Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences