Biography
Dr Megan Teychenne is a behavioural epidemiologist at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition and is Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University. She has a rapidly growing profile nationally and internationally for her research in the area of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental illness (particularly anxiety and depression), with a key focus on targeting ‘at-risk’ population groups including women (including postpartum and prenatal women) and socio-economically disadvantaged adults.
Read more on Megan's profileResearch interests
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and Mental Health (particularly anxiety and depression), ‘at-risk’ population groups including women (including postpartum and prenatal women) and socio-economically disadvantaged adults.
Affiliations
Member of the Mental Health and Physical Activity (journal) editorial board (June 2015 – current)
International Society for Physical Activity and Health (2018)
International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (Melbourne, 2016) local organising committee member
International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2007, 2010/2011, 2013, 2017)
Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (2008-2009, 2012-2013)
Teaching interests
Currently:
Co-supervisor for 2 PhD students
Principal supervisor for 2 Honours students
Have supervised/co-supervised 2 PhD students, 1 Masters student, and 6 Honours students to completion
Unit chair/campus chair for three undergraduate units
Units taught
HSE203 (Exercise Behaviour)
HSE212 (Physical Activity Promotion and Evaluation)
HSE316 (Physical Activity and Population Health)
Conferences
Oral presentations
1. Teychenne, M. & Hinkley, T ‘Associations between screen-based sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms in mothers with young children’ The 6th International Congress on Physical Activity and Health. Bangkok, Thailand. November 2016.
2. Teychenne M & Teychenne D. The development of a tailored, career-focused interactive online learning tool for physical activity and health students. Deakin University Teaching & Learning Conference, Burwood, 19th November 2015.
3. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Prospective associations between sedentary behaviour and risk of depression in socio-economically disadvantaged women. Symposium: It’s all in the head: a life course perspective of associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviours with psychosocial and academic outcomes. 12th Annual Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Ghent, Belgium. May 2013.
4. Teychenne, M., Ball, K., Salmon. Mediators of the relationship between sedentary behaviour and depressive symptoms amongst disadvantaged women. 4th International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Sydney, Australia, 31 October-3 November 2012.
5. Teychenne, M., Ball, K., Salmon. Correlates of socio-economic inequalities in women’s television viewing: a study of intrapersonal, social and environmental mediators. 9th Annual Scientific Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Melbourne, Australia, 8-10 February 2012.
6. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. The perceived feasibility of intervention strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour amongst women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, 10th Annual Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Melbourne, Australia, 15-18 June 2011.
7. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and risk of depression in socio-economically disadvantaged women. 7th National Physical Activity Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 14-17 Oct, 2009.
8. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Associations between sedentary behaviour and risk of depression in adults. 6th Annual Scientific Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand, 9-11 Feb, 2009.
Poster presentations
1. Teychenne, M., Sahlqvist, S., Parker K. ‘The efficacy of a tailored physical activity intervention for socioeconomically disadvantaged women: The Inspire study’ The International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Melbourne, Australia. December 2016.
2. Teychenne, M., Abbot, G., van der Pligt, P., Ball, K., Campbell, K.J., Milte, C.M., Hesketh, K.D. “Chasing away the baby blues?” Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and postnatal depressive symptoms. 14th Annual Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2015
3. Teychenne, M. York, R. Physical activity, sedentary behavior and postnatal depression: A review. 12th Annual Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Ghent, Belgium. May 2013.
4. Teychenne, M., Ball, K., Salmon, J. Socio-economic inequalities in women’s depressive symptoms: The mediating role of neighbourhood characteristics. 10th Annual Scientific Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Newcastle, Australia, 6-8 Feb, 2013.
5. McCann, J., Ridgers, N.D., Carver, A., Thornton, L.E., Teychenne, M. Effective recruitment and retention strategies in Australian community health projects. 10th Annual Scientific Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine, Newcastle, Australia, 6-8 Feb, 2013.
Professional activities
Editorial board member for Mental Health and Physical Activity (2015 – current)
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Deputy Academic Progress Committee (APC) chair (2017 – current)
Physical activity and Exercise for Health major leader (ESS and Health Sci courses) (2017 – current)
Reviewer for more than 20 journals in the field
Co-opted member of Faculty Academic Progress and Discipline committee (2015 – current)
Member of the Faculty Access, Equity and Diversity Committee (2015 – 2016)
Member of the Faculty of Health Board (2013-2014)
Member of the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Board (2013-2014)
Reviewer for Better Health Channel (2012 – 2014)
Media appearances
Radio (list not exhaustive):
1. Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ FIVEaa (Adelaide) 17/09/17
2. Interview – “Why Wednesday?: Is walking enough?” ABC Goldfields 16/08/17
3. Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ ABC Sydney – morning show (with Robbie Buck) 11/08/17
4. Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ ABC774 Melbourne – afternoon show (with Clare Bowditch) 10/08/17
5. ‘World Mental Health Week’ ABC774 Melbourne – breakfast show (with Red Symons) Oct 12th 2016
6. ‘Revolutions: Let’s get physical (or not)’ 774 ABC Melbourne (with Lindy Burns) Oct 10th 2012
7. ‘Physical activity and staying motivated in winter’ 774 ABC Melbourne (with John Fain) July 25th 2012
Newspaper (list not exhaustive)
1. ‘Strength of mind (April 2018) Australian House and Garden (magazine) - circulation 98,028
2. ‘Depressed? Drop the vacuum and get out of the house for a walk’ Dec 1st 2017- The Herald Sun (and Geelong Advertiser)
3. ‘Stress hits web mums’ The Herald Sun, May 22nd 2016
4. Sitting too much can lead to anxiety’ The Boston Globe, US, Aug 8th 2015
5. ‘Vegged out Couch potatoes run risk of anxiety’ The Age (19/6/15 - page - ‘The latest problem with sitting too long’ The New Zealand Herald, June 19th 2015
6. ‘Sitting down? It could be giving you anxiety’ The Australian, June 19th 2015
7. ‘Sitting down too much increases anxiety’ The Brisbane Times, June 19th 2015
Web (list not exhaustive):
ABC News (2017), The Conversation (2017), The Huffington Post (2015), Sky News.Com (2015), Nine News.Com (2015), Reuters (2015), Medical News Today (2014), Medicine Today Magazine (2013), Ninemsn (2009)
Research groups
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN)
Awards
Winner - Jim and Alison Leslie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning (Vice Chancellor award - Deakin University) $7,000 to the Enhancing Career Development for Physical Activity and Health Students team – Led by Megan Teychenne. October 2017.
Highly Commended – School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences Early-Mid Career Researcher of the Year, September 2017 (Outstanding contributions to research).
Projects
2018 – “Mums on the Move” study
2018 – “The effectiveness of an online career planning tool on students' career adaptability”
2017 - “Healthy lifestyles for preschoolers and their mums”
2016 – The “Mums On the Run” study
2015 – “Student’s perceptions of using a tailored, career-focused interactive online learning tool developed for physical activity and health students”
2013 - The Inspire Study: “Increasing physical activity in socioeconomically disadvantaged women through a tailored intervention approach”
Publications
Megan Teychenne, Gavin Abbott, Lena Stephens, Rachelle Opie, Ellinor Olander, Leah Brennan, Paige van der Pligt, Maria Apostolopoulos, Kylie Ball
(2021), Vol. 93, pp. 1-12, Midwifery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Do we need physical activity guidelines for mental health: what does the evidence tell us?
M Teychenne, R White, J Richards, F Schuch, S Rosenbaum, J Bennie
(2020), Vol. 18, pp. 1-5, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Bennie, K De Cocker, S Biddle, M Teychenne
(2020), Vol. 37, pp. 166-178, Depression and anxiety, Chichester, Eng., C1
V Cleland, F Cocker, J Canary, M Teychenne, D Crawford, A Timperio, K Ball
(2020), Vol. 132, pp. 1-7, Preventive medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Bennie, M Teychenne, S Tittlbach
(2020), Vol. 266, pp. 282-287, Journal of affective disorders, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
R Opie, K Ball, G Abbott, D Crawford, M Teychenne, S McNaughton
(2020), Vol. 19, pp. 1-12, Nutrition Journal, London, Eng., C1
R White, J Bennie, G Abbott, M Teychenne
(2020), Vol. 20, pp. 1-9, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
Neli Pavlova, Megan Teychenne, Ellinor Olander
(2020), Vol. 17, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Basel, Switzerland, C1
K De Cocker, M Teychenne, R White, J Bennie
(2020), Vol. 139, pp. 1-7, Preventive Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Kylie Morris, Lauren Arundell, Verity Cleland, Megan Teychenne
(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 1-11, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, New York, N.Y., C1
Jason Bennie, Megan Teychenne, Katrien De Cocker, Stuart Biddle
(2019), Vol. 121, pp. 121-127, Preventive medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Jason Bennie, Katrien De Cocker, Megan Teychenne, Wendy Brown, Stuart Biddle
(2019), Vol. 16, pp. 1-11, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, Eng., C1
M Teychenne, K Parker, D Teychenne, S Sahlqvist, S Macfarlane, S Costigan
(2019), Vol. 10, pp. 42-55, Journal of teaching and learning for graduate employability, Perth, W.A., C1
M Teychenne, K Lamb, L Main, C Miller, A Hahne, J Ford, S Rosenbaum, D Belavy
(2019), Vol. 14, pp. 1-12, PLoS One, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Miriam Pollak, Catherine Milte, Paige van der Pligt, Megan Teychenne
(2019), Vol. 68, pp. 54-61, Nutrition research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
The association between sedentary behaviour and indicators of stress: A systematic review
M Teychenne, L Stephens, S Costigan, D Olstad, B Stubbs, A Turner
(2019), Vol. 19, pp. 1-15, BMC Public Health, London, Eng., C1
P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Hesketh, D Crawford, M Teychenne, K Campbell
(2018), Vol. 56, pp. 23-28, Midwifery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Hesketh, M Teychenne, D Crawford, P Morgan, C Collins, K Campbell
(2018), Vol. 31, pp. 314-328, Journal of human nutrition & dietetics, London, Eng., C1
M Teychenne, P van der Pligt, G Abbott, L Brennan, E Olander
(2018), Vol. 14, pp. 82-89, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Megan Teychenne, Dana Olstad, Anne Turner, Sarah Costigan, Kylie Ball
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-8, International journal of environmental research and public health, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Clint Miller, Megan Teychenne, Jaimie-Lee Maple
(2018), Vol. 13, pp. 451-461, Clinical interventions in aging, Macclesfield, Eng., C1
T Hinkley, H Brown, V Carson, M Teychenne
(2018), Vol. 13, pp. 1-15, PLoS one, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Lauren Arundell, Bronwyn Sudholz, Megan Teychenne, Jo Salmon, Brooke Hayward, Genevieve Healy, Anna Timperio
(2018), Vol. 15, pp. 1-16, International journal of environmental research and public health, Basel, Switzerland, C1
K Lamb, L Thornton, M Teychenne, C Milte, E Cerin, K Ball
(2017), Vol. 17, pp. 1-10, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
D Olstad, R Ancilotto, M Teychenne, L Minaker, D Taber, K Raine, C Nykiforuk, K Ball
(2017), Vol. 18, pp. 791-807, Obesity reviews, London, Eng., C1
K Simson, C Miller, J Ford, A Hahne, L Main, T Rantalainen, W-P Teo, M Teychenne, D Connell, G Trudel, G Zheng, G Thickbroom, D Belavy
(2017), Vol. 18, pp. 1-13, Trials, London, Eng., C1
M Teychenne, S Sahlqvist, D Teychenne, S Macfarlane, P Dawson, S Costigan
(2017), Vol. 8, pp. 60-74, Journal of teaching and learning for graduate employability, [Melbourne, Vic.], C1
M Teychenne, G Abbott, K Lamb, S Rosenbaum, K Ball
(2017), Vol. 102, pp. 72-78, Preventative medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Hesketh, M Teychenne, D Crawford, Dodd J, K Campbell
(2017), Vol. 6, Journal of women's health care, Hyderabad, India, C1-1
P van der Pligt, E Olander, K Ball, D Crawford, K Hesketh, M Teychenne, K Campbell
(2016), Vol. 16, pp. 1-10, BMC pregnancy and childbirth, London, Eng., C1
R Huddy, S Torres, C Milte, S McNaughton, M Teychenne, K Campbell
(2016), Vol. 116, pp. 1406-1412, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Teychenne, T Hinkley
(2016), Vol. 11, pp. 1-10, PLoS one, San Francisco, Calif., C1-1
D Olstad, M Teychenne, L Minaker, D Taber, K Raine, C Nykiforuk, K Ball
(2016), Vol. 17, pp. 1198-1217, Obesity reviews, Chichester, Eng., C1
D Van Dyck, M Teychenne, S McNaughton, I De Bourdeaudhuij, J Salmon
(2015), Vol. 10, pp. 1-16, PLoS One, San Francisco, Calif., C1-1
M Connelly, H Brown, P van der Pligt, M Teychenne
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 1-7, BMC pregnancy childbirth, London, Eng., C1
The association between sedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: a systematic review
M Teychenne, S Costigan, K Parker
(2015), Vol. 15, pp. 1-8, BMC public health, London, Eng., C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon, R Daly, D Crawford, P Sethi, M Jorna, D Dunstan
(2015), Vol. 12, pp. 1-9, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, Eng., C1
M Teychenne, G Abbott, P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Campbell, C Milte, K Hesketh
(2015), pp. 1-6, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
T Hinkley, M Teychenne, K Downing, K Ball, J Salmon, K Hesketh
(2014), Vol. 62, pp. 182-192, Preventive Medicine, C1
M Teychenne, S Torres, S McNaughton, J Salmon, K Ball
(2014), Vol. 7, pp. 30-36, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Teychenne, G Abbott, K Ball, J Salmon
(2014), Vol. 65, pp. 82-86, Preventive Medicine, C1
V Van Holle, S McNaughton, M Teychenne, A Timperio, D Van Dyck, I De Bourdeaudhuij, J Salmon
(2014), Vol. 11, pp. 9790-9810, International journal of environmental research and public health, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and postnatal depressive symptoms: A review
M Teychenne, R York
(2013), Vol. 45, pp. 217-227, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, C1
Effective recruitment and retention strategies in community health programs
J McCann, N Ridgers, A Carver, L Thornton, M Teychenne
(2013), Vol. 24, pp. 104-110, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, C1
K De Cocker, I De Bourdeaudhuij, M Teychenne, S McNaughton, J Salmon
(2013), Vol. 10, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 9, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 7, PLoS ONE, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 9, pp. 4241-4253, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2011), Vol. 4, pp. 95-102, Mental Health and Physical Activity, C1
Physical activity, sedentary behavior and depression among disadvantaged women
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2010), Vol. 25, pp. 632-644, Health Education Research, C1
Sedentary behavior and depression among adults: A review
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2010), Vol. 17, pp. 246-254, International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, C1
Associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in women
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2008), Vol. 5, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, C1
Physical activity and likelihood of depression in adults: A review
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2008), Vol. 46, pp. 397-411, Preventive Medicine, C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Informing the development and real-world translation of a home-based physical activity intervention for improving postnatal mental health
Dr Megan Teychenne
NHMRC - Investigator Grant
- 2021: $9,568
Evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle therapy versus standard psychotherapy for reducing depression in adults with COVID-19 related distress: The CALM trial
A/Prof Adrienne O'Neil, Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Jim Lagopoulos, Prof Murat Yucel, Prof Jane Speight, Dr Pilvikki Absetz, A/Prof Vincent Versace, Dr Megan Teychenne, Simon Rosenbaum, Dr Mary Lou Chatterton
MRFF COVID-19 Mental Health Research Grant
- 2020: $885,302
Supervisions
Daniel James Van Den Hoek
Thesis entitled: Exercise, energy restriction and psycho-social health for women with obesity
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Paige Felicity Van Der Pligt
Thesis entitled: Opportunities to promote healthy maternal weight during and following pregnancy
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences