Biography
Dr Megan Teychenne is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and behavioural epidemiologist at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. 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
Unit and/or campus chair: HSE203, HSE212, HSE316, HSE360 (tour leader), HSE112
Have supervised/co-supervised 4 PhD students, 1 Masters student, and 8 Honours students.
Units taught
HSE203 (Exercise Behaviour)
HSE212 (Physical Activity Promotion and Evaluation)
HSE316 (Physical Activity and Population Health)
HSE112 (Pathways in the physical activity, exercise and sport industry)
HSE360 (International perspectives on exercise and sport Science - study tour)
Conferences
In addition to numerous invited speaker presentations for key national and international bodies (including Sports Medicine Australia (2020); Exercise Sports Science Australia (2019; 2018); International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2019)), community organisations and Universities across the globe, Dr Teychenne has presented at various national and international conferences, including (list not exhaustive):
Teychenne, M. et al.. The effect of a novel home-based intervention to increase physical activity and reduce postnatal depressive symptoms: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine, Sydney, 5th-7th February 2020
Teychenne, et al ‘The association between sedentary behaviour and indicators of stress: A systematic review’. 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Prague, Czech Republic. June 2019. (poster)
Teychenne, M., et al ‘The feasibility and acceptability of a home-based physical activity program for postnatal women with depressive symptoms: A pilot study’ International Congress on Physical Activity and Health, London UK, October 2018
Teychenne, M., et al.’ Is the link between movement and mental health a two-way street? Prospective associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and depressive symptoms amongst women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods’. Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Victoria, Canada. June 2017.
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.
Teychenne, M. et al. “Chasing away the baby blues?” Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and postnatal depressive symptoms. Conference of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2015
Teychenne M, et al. 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.
Teychenne, M. et al.. 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.
Teychenne, M., et al. 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.
Teychenne M, et al. 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.
Professional activities
Associate Editor for Mental Health and Physical Activity (2019 - current)
Physical Activity and Nutrition for Cognitive and Mental Health (IPAN research group) leader (2021-current)
Co- Course Director of the Bachelor of Sport Development (M320) (2019-20)
Editorial board member for Mental Health and Physical Activity (2015 – 2019)
Academic Progress Committee (APC) deputy chair - School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (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):
Interview – ‘Physical activity guidelines for mental health’ ABC Sydney (20/11/19 – Breakfast Radio)
Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ FIVEaa (Adelaide) 17/09/17
Interview – “Why Wednesday?: Is walking enough?” ABC Goldfields 16/08/17
Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ ABC Sydney – morning show 11/08/17
Interview – ‘Is walking enough?’ ABC774 Melbourne – afternoon show 10/08/17
Interview - ‘World Mental Health Week’ ABC774 Melbourne – Oct 12th 2016
Interview - Revolutions: Let’s get physical (or not)’ 774 ABC Melbourne Oct 10th 2012
Interview - ‘Physical activity and staying motivated in winter’ 774 ABC Melbourne July 25th 2012
Newspaper (list not exhaustive)
Article - 'Healthy body for a healthy mind during social isolation’ (April 2020) Mansfield Courier
Article - 'The exercise that best supports your mental health’ (Nov 20th 2019) The Age; The Sydney Morning Herald
Article - ‘On your feet! Nine great Melbourne walks’ (Nov 16th 2019) The Age; The Sydney Morning Herald
Article - ‘Strength of mind (April 2018) Australian House and Garden (magazine)
Article - ‘Depressed? Drop the vacuum and get out of the house for a walk’ Dec 1st 2017- The Herald Sun and Geelong Advertiser
Article - ‘Stress hits web mums’ The Herald Sun, May 22nd 2016
Article - Sitting too much can lead to anxiety’ The Boston Globe, US, Aug 8th 2015
Article - ‘Vegged out Couch potatoes run risk of anxiety’ The Age (19/6/15)
Article - ‘The latest problem with sitting too long’ The New Zealand Herald, June 19th 2015
Article - ‘Sitting down? It could be giving you anxiety’ The Australian, June 19th 2015
Article - 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 – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Wellbeing and Safety. To the Alcohol Culture Change Project. Professor Catherine Bennett (team leader), Miss April Loxton, Dr Megan Teychenne et al. October 2019
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
2021-25 - Informing the development and real-world translation of a home-based physical activity intervention for improving postnatal mental health (NHMRC Investigator Grant; CIA)
2020-21 - Evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle therapy versus standard psychotherapy for reducing depression in adults with COVID-19 related distress: The CALM trial (MRFF funded grant - led by A/Prof Adrienne O'Neil)
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
Lauren Young, Steve Moylan, Tayla John, Megan Turner, Rachelle Opie, Meghan Hockey, Dean Saunders, Courtney Bruscella, Felice Jacka, Megan Teychenne, Simon Rosenbaum, Khyati Banker, Sophie Mahoney, Monica Tembo, Jerry Lai, Niamh Mundell, Grace McKeon, Murat Yucel, Jane Speight, Pilvikki Absetz, Vincent Versace, Mary Chatterton, Michael Berk, Sam Manger, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Mark Morgan, Anna Chapman, Craig Bennett, Melissa O’Shea, Tetyana Rocks, Sarah Leach, Adrienne O’Neil
(2022), Vol. 22, pp. 1-13, BMC Psychiatry, Berlin, Germany, C1
Economic evaluation of an incentive-based program to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in middle-aged adults
J Maple, J Ananthapavan, K Ball, M Teychenne, M Moodie
(2022), Vol. 22, BMC Health Services Research, C1
Impacts of life-events on sitting, TV viewing and computer use among women from disadvantaged neighbourhoods
M Nayak, K Wills, M Teychenne, V Cleland
(2022), Vol. 22, BMC Public Health, C1
Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in an Exercise Referral Scheme among Women Living in a Low Socioeconomic Area in Australia: A Qualitative Investigation Using the COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework
G McKeon, C Mastrogiovanni, M Teychenne, S Rosenbaum
(2022), Vol. 19, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, C1
M Teychenne, G Abbott, L Stephens, R Opie, E Olander, L Brennan, P van der Pligt, M Apostolopoulos, K Ball
(2021), Vol. 93, Midwifery, Scotland, C1
M Teychenne, M Apostolopoulos, K Ball, E Olander, R Opie, S Rosenbaum, R Laws
(2021), Vol. 21, BMC Public Health, England, C1
K De Cocker, S Biddle, M Teychenne, J Bennie
(2021), Vol. 38, pp. 950-960, Depression and Anxiety, United States, C1
M Nayak, K Wills, M Teychenne, J Salmon, V Cleland
(2021), Vol. 18, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
M Apostolopoulos, J Hnatiuk, J Maple, E Olander, L Brennan, P van der Pligt, M Teychenne
(2021), Vol. 21, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, England, C1
Patterns and Predictors of Television Viewing and Computer Use Among Women Living in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods: A Prospective Cohort Study
Minakshi Nayak, Karen Wills, Megan Teychenne, Verity Cleland
(2021), Vol. 18, pp. 1511-1524, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, Champaign, United States, 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, Mental Health and Physical Activity, 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, Preventive Medicine, United States, 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, Nutrition Journal, England, C1
R White, J Bennie, G Abbott, M Teychenne
(2020), Vol. 20, pp. 1007-, BMC public health, England, C1
N Pavlova, M Teychenne, E Olander
(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 1-9, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
K De Cocker, M Teychenne, R White, J Bennie
(2020), Vol. 139, Preventive Medicine, United States, C1
K Morris, L Arundell, V Cleland, M Teychenne
(2020), Vol. 17, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, England, C1
J Bennie, M Teychenne, K De Cocker, S Biddle
(2019), Vol. 121, pp. 121-127, Preventive Medicine, United States, C1
J Bennie, K De Cocker, M Teychenne, W Brown, S Biddle
(2019), Vol. 16, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, England, 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, PLoS ONE, United States, 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, BMC Public Health, England, C1
P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Hesketh, D Crawford, M Teychenne, K Campbell
(2018), Vol. 56, pp. 23-28, Midwifery, Scotland, 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
M Teychenne, D Lee Olstad, A Turner, S Costigan, K Ball
(2018), Vol. 15, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
C Miller, M Teychenne, J Maple
(2018), Vol. 13, pp. 451-461, Clinical Interventions in Aging, New Zealand, C1
T Hinkley, H Brown, V Carson, M Teychenne
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
L Arundell, B Sudholz, M Teychenne, J Salmon, B Hayward, G Healy, A Timperio
(2018), Vol. 15, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
K Lamb, L Thornton, M Teychenne, C Milte, E Cerin, K Ball
(2017), Vol. 17, BMC Public Health, England, 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 Teo, M Teychenne, D Connell, G Trudel, G Zheng, G Thickbroom, D Belavy
(2017), Vol. 18, Trials, England, 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, Preventive Medicine, United States, 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
M Teychenne, G Abbott, P van der Pligt, K Ball, K Campbell, C Milte, K Hesketh
(2016), Vol. 10, pp. 62-67, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
P van der Pligt, E Olander, K Ball, D Crawford, K Hesketh, M Teychenne, K Campbell
(2016), Vol. 16, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, England, 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, PLoS ONE, United States, C1-1
D Olstad, M Teychenne, L Minaker, D Taber, K Raine, C Nykiforuk, K Ball
(2016), Vol. 17, pp. 1198-1217, Obesity Reviews, England, 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
T Hinkley, M Teychenne, K Downing, K Ball, J Salmon, K Hesketh
(2014), Vol. 62, pp. 182-192, Preventive Medicine, New York, NY, 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, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 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, New York, NY, 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, Camperdown, NSW, C1
K De Cocker, I De Bourdeaudhuij, M Teychenne, S McNaughton, J Salmon
(2013), Vol. 10, pp. 1-10, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, London, UK, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 9, pp. 1-7, The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 7, pp. 1-8, PLoS one, San Francisco, Calif., C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2012), Vol. 9, pp. 4241-4253, International journal of environmental research and public health, Basel, Switzerland, C1
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2011), Vol. 4, pp. 95-102, Mental health and physical activity, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 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, Cary, N. C., 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, New York, N.Y., C1
Associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in women
M Teychenne, K Ball, J Salmon
(2008), Vol. 5, pp. 1-12, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, 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, San Diego, Calif., 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
A/Prof Megan Teychenne
NHMRC - Investigator Grant
- 2022: $106,407
- 2021: $105,249
Evaluating the effectiveness of lifestyle therapy versus standard psychotherapy for reducing depression in adults with COVID-19 related distress: The CALM trial
Prof Adrienne O'Neil, Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Murat Yucel, Prof Jane Speight, Dr Pilvikki Absetz, Prof Vincent Versace, A/Prof Megan Teychenne, Simon Rosenbaum, Dr Mary Lou Chatterton
MRFF (NHMRC) - COVID-19 Mental Health Research Grant
- 2020: $885,302
Supervisions
Jaimie-Lee Maple
Thesis entitled: Incentives to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
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