Research interests
The major focus of Dr Lacy’s research is preventing child and adolescent obesity, especially through good nutrition. She is particularly interested in how dietary energy density and portion size influence food and energy intakes and food choices and how to improve dietary energy density and quality among children and adolescents. She is committed to promoting evidence-based strategies for moderating energy intake, particularly dietary behaviours that are also more environmentally sustainable. She has conducted research using a range of methodologies, including experimental and laboratory-based eating behaviour approaches, focus groups, interviews and analysis of surveys.
Teaching interests
Dr Lacy is Senior Lecturer in Nutritional Science and Course Director for Undergradaute Nutrition Science. She is the Geelong Campus Coordinator for nutrition-related undergraduate nutrition units and has taught a wide variety of nutrition-related topics across six units.
Units taught
Current:
HSN101 Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health
Previous:
HSN101 Food: Nutrition, Culture and Innovation (2012, Unit Chair 2013, 2014)
HSN101 Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health (2017, 2018, 2021, Unit Chair 2015, 2020)
HSN201 Principles of Nutrition (2012-2014)
HSN211 Nutritional Physiology (2015, 2017-2018)
HSN202 Lifespan Nutrition (2012-2014)
HSN301 Diet and Disease (2012-2015, 2017-2018)
HSN103 Food: The Environment and Consumers (guest lecturer 2013-2015)
HSN360/760 International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition (planning team 2013, Unit Co-Chair and study tour leader 2014)
Conferences
2017 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition, 26-29 November 2017, Adelaide, Australia. ‘Predictors of vegetable and fruit intakes among Australian children aged 18 months’ (oral presentation).
2014 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), 21-24 May 2014, San Diego, CA, USA. 'Predictors of Diet Quality Among Australian Preschool Children' (poster presentation).
2012 Annual Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society, 18-20 October 2012, Auckland, New Zealand. ‘Critical Design Features for Establishing an Australian Childhood Obesity Monitoring Program’ (poster presentation).
2011 Annual Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society, 20-22 October 2011, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. ‘Opt-out consent for an Australian childhood obesity monitoring program’ (oral presentation).
2011 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), 15-18 June 2011, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ‘Leisure time screen-based media use and physical activity are associated with health-related quality of life among Australian adolescents’ (poster presentation).
2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO; The Obesity Society), 20-24 October 2007, New Orleans, LA, USA. ‘Decreasing the energy density of multiple foods reduces preschool children’s energy intake over two days’ (oral presentation).
Experimental Biology 2007, 28 April - 2 May 2007, Washington, DC, USA. ‘How do energy density and portion size of an entrée influence preschool children’s energy intake?’ (oral presentation).
2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO; The Obesity Society), 20-24 October 2006, Boston, MA, USA. ‘Does the energy density of an entrée influence children’s energy intake?’ (oral presentation).
Professional activities
Nutrition Society of Australia (2012-present)
Australasian Child and Adolescent Obesity Research Network (2012-2015)
Awards
Ian Seet Memorial Staff Engagement Award, 2018
This award was created in honour of Ian Seet to recognise an individual within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences staff who has made a significant difference to the School throughout the year, through their outstanding performance and staff engagement.
Projects
“Feasibility of evidence-based approaches for reducing the energy density of diets amongst adolescents”, funded through Faculty of Health Central Research Grants Scheme 2013.
Publications
J Chui, K Lacy, M Zheng, R Leech, S McNaughton, A Spence
(2023), Vol. 130, pp. 513-524, British Journal of Nutrition, England, C1
S Park, P Love, K Lacy, K Campbell, M Zheng
(2023), Vol. 77, pp. 363-369, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Berlin, Germany, C1
G Rahimzadeh, A Tay, N Travica, K Lacy, S Mohamed, D Nahavandi, P Pławiak, M Qazani, H Asadi
(2023), Vol. 15, pp. 1-29, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1-1
A Burnett, C Russell, K Lacy, A Worsley, A Spence
(2023), Vol. 187, Appetite, C1
S Park, P Love, M Zheng, K Campbell, K Lacy
(2023), Vol. 14, Frontiers in Endocrinology, C1
A Burnett, K Lacy, C Russell, A Spence, A Worsley, K Lamb
(2022), Vol. 168, pp. 1-8, Appetite, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
A Burnett, K Lamb, A Spence, K Lacy, A Worsley
(2021), Vol. 24, pp. 6058-6066, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
A Burnett, K Lamb, A Spence, K Lacy, A Worsley
(2021), Vol. 43, Eating Behaviors, United States, C1
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
Parenting styles and the dietary intake of pre-school children: a systematic review
A Burnett, K Lamb, J McCann, A Worsley, K Lacy
(2020), Vol. 35, pp. 1326-1345, Psychology and Health, England, C1
Energy density of new food products targeted to children
D Azzopardi, K Lacy, J Woods
(2020), Vol. 12, pp. 1-17, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
Alissa Burnett, Anthony Worsley, Kathleen Lacy, Karen Lamb
(2019), Vol. 22, pp. 997-1009, Public health nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1
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
J Low, K Lacy, R McBride, R Keast
(2019), Vol. 122, pp. 829-840, British Journal of Nutrition, England, C1
E Fletcher, J Salmon, S McNaughton, L Orellana, G Wadley, C Bruce, P Dempsey, K Lacy, D Dunstan
(2018), Vol. 21, pp. 280-285, Journal of science and medicine in sport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
S O'Halloran, K Lacy, J Woods, C Grimes, K Campbell, C Nowson
(2018), pp. 1-8, Public health nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1
Predictors of dietary energy density among preschool aged children
N Fernando, K Campbell, S McNaughton, M Zheng, K Lacy
(2018), Vol. 10, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
S O’Halloran, K Lacy, C Grimes, K Campbell, C Nowson
(2018), Vol. 10, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
J Low, K Lacy, R McBride, R Keast
(2018), Vol. 83, pp. 2227-2236, Journal of Food Science, United States, C1
Psychophysical evaluation of sweetness functions across multiple Sweeteners
J Low, R McBride, K Lacy, R Keast
(2017), Vol. 42, pp. 111-120, Chemical Senses, England, C1
A novel processed food classification system applied to Australian food composition databases
S O'Halloran, K Lacy, C Grimes, J Woods, K Campbell, C Nowson
(2017), Vol. 30, pp. 534-541, Journal of human nutrition and dietetics, London, Eng., C1
Carbohydrate taste sensitivity is associated with starch intake and waist circumference in adults
J Low, K Lacy, R McBride, R Keast
(2017), Vol. 147, pp. 2235-2242, Journal of Nutrition, United States, C1
J Low, K Lacy, R McBride, R Keast
(2017), Vol. 12, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
Dietary sources and sodium intake in a sample of Australian preschool children
S O'Halloran, C Grimes, K Lacy, C Nowson, K Campbell
(2016), Vol. 6, BMJ Open, England, C1
The importance of taste on dietary choice, behaviour and intake in a group of young adults
S Kourouniotis, R Keast, L Riddell, K Lacy, M Thorpe, S Cicerale
(2016), Vol. 103, pp. 1-7, Appetite, England, C1
The association between sweet taste function, anthropometry, and dietary intake in adults
J Low, K Lacy, R McBride, R Keast
(2016), Vol. 8, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
The Predictors of Diet Quality among Australian Children Aged 3.5 Years
L Collins, K Lacy, K Campbell, S McNaughton
(2016), Vol. 116, pp. 1114-1126.e2, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, United States, C1
S O’Halloran, C Grimes, K Lacy, K Campbell, C Nowson
(2016), Vol. 8, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
E Fletcher, S McNaughton, K Lacy, D Dunstan, V Carson, J Salmon
(2016), Vol. 2, pp. 232-240, Obesity Science and Practice, United States, C1
Micronutrient supplement use and diet quality in university students
A Wiltgren, A Booth, G Kaur, S Cicerale, K Lacy, M Thorpe, R Keast, L Riddell
(2015), Vol. 7, pp. 1094-1107, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
E Fletcher, R Leech, S McNaughton, D Dunstan, K Lacy, J Salmon
(2015), Vol. 16, pp. 795-805, Obesity reviews, London, Eng, C1
Critical design features for establishing a childhood obesity monitoring program in Australia
K Lacy, M Nichols, A De Silva, S Allender, B Swinburn, E Leslie, L Jones, P Kremer
(2015), Vol. 21, pp. 369-372, Australian journal of primary health, Melbourne, Vic, C1
The role of sweet taste in satiation and satiety.
Y Low, K Lacy, R Keast
(2014), Vol. 6, pp. 3431-3450, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
B Jensen, M Nichols, S Allender, A de Silva-Sanigorski, L Millar, P Kremer, K Lacy, B Swinburn
(2013), Vol. 8, pp. 271-283, Pediatric obesity, Oxford, England, C1
K Lacy, S Allender, P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, L Millar, M Moodie, L Mathews, M Malakellis, B Swinburn
(2012), Vol. 21, pp. 1085-1099, Quality of life research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
The appropriateness of opt-out consent for monitoring childhood obesity in Australia
K Lacy, P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, S Allender, E Leslie, L Jones, S Fornaro, B Swinburn
(2012), Vol. 7, Pediatric obesity, Oxford, England, C1
B Jensen, M Nichols, S Allender, A de Silva-Sanigorski, L Millar, P Kremer, K Lacy, B Swinburn
(2012), Vol. 12, pp. 1-12, BMC public health, London, England, C1
Government food service policies and guidelines do not create healthy school canteens
A de Silva-Sanigorski, T Breheny, L Jones, K Lacy, P Kremer, L Carpenter, K Bolton, L Prosser, L Gibbs, E Waters, B Swinburn
(2011), Vol. 35, pp. 117-121, Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Richmond, Vic., C1
Associations between activity-related behaviours and standardized BMI among Australian adolescents
S Allender, P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, K Lacy, L Millar, L Mathews, M Malakellis, B Swinburn
(2011), Vol. 14, pp. 512-521, Journal of science and medicine in sport, Mitchell, A.C.T., C1-1
A de Silva-Sanigorski, E Waters, H Calache, M Smith, L Gold, M Gussy, A Scott, K Lacy, M Virgo-Milton
(2011), Vol. 11, pp. 1-9, BMC public health, London, England, C1
P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, E Leslie, K Lacy, L Jones
(2011), Geelong, Vic., A6-1
P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, E Leslie, K Lacy, L Jones
(2011), Geelong, Vic., A6-1
P Kremer, A de Silva-Sanigorski, E Leslie, K Lacy, L Jones
(2011), Geelong, Vic., A6-1
Reductions in dietary energy density to moderate children's energy intake
B Rolls, K Leahy
(2010), pp. 543-554, Obesity prevention : the role of brain and society on individual behavior, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, B1-1
K Leahy, L Birch, B Rolls
(2008), Vol. 88, pp. 1459-1468, American journal of clinical nutrition, New York, N.Y., C1-1
Reductions in entrée energy density increase children's vegetable intake and reduce energy intake
K Leahy, L Birch, J Fisher, B Rolls
(2008), Vol. 16, pp. 1559-1565, Obesity, Basingstoke, England, C1-1
Reducing the energy density of an entrée decreases children's energy intake at lunch
K Leahy, L Birch, B Rolls
(2008), Vol. 108, pp. 41-48, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, New York, N.Y., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
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
Eloise Annette Fletcher
Thesis entitled: Sedentary Behaviour and Cardiometabolic Health in Adolescents: Role of Diet
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Yu Qing Low
Thesis entitled: The Associations between Sweet Taste Function, Oral Complex Carbohydrate Sensitivity, Dietary Intake Patterns and Body Composition
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Siobhan Anne O'Halloran
Thesis entitled: Dietary sources and assessment of sodium and potassium intakes in Australian preschool aged children
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences