Biography
Dr Melanie Nichols is a Senior Research Fellow in GLOBE - the Global Obesity Centre, a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University.
Melanie's research focuses on the prevention and epidemiology of obesity, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases, community-based approaches to promoting health and evaluation of large scale interventions and natural experiments. Key interests include early childhood prevention, community-based and complex systems interventions, promoting equity through prevention interventions, and improving use of existing data and systems to generate high quality evidence.
Melanie has worked extensively in evaluation of large scale community-based obesity prevention, including the successful Sentinel Site for Obesity Prevention programs in the Barwon South-Western region of Victoria, which generated world-leading evidence into the effectiveness of whole of community-approaches to obesity prevention. Melanie also worked for 3 years providing support in evaluation and evidence to community-based initiatives across Australia through the CO-OPS Collaboration of Obesity Prevention Sites.
Between 2011 and 2012 Melanie worked in the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group at the University of Oxford, UK, leading the European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2012 project as part of the EuroHeart II project, funded by the European Commission. The project examined Europe-wide cardiovascular disease mortality, morbidity, treatment and risk factors, with special attention to inequalities and recent trends, and culminated in a significant report which was launched by the European Heart Network on World Heart Day 2012.
Melanie completed her PhD in Public Health at Deakin University in 2009. Her PhD thesis investigated issues around prevention of obesity in early childhood, including recent trends in prevalence, behaviours and environments to address the question of whether early childhood should be a priority period for obesity prevention activities. Prior to beginning her research career, Melanie qualified as a dietitian, and worked in the field of gastroenterological disorders. Melanie holds tertiary qualifications in nutrition and dietetics and health promotion.
Biography summary
Dr Melanie Nichols is a Senior Research Fellow in GLOBE - the Global Obesity Centre, a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University.
Melanie's research focuses on the prevention and epidemiology of obesity, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases, community-based approaches to promoting health and evaluation of large scale interventions and natural experiments. Key interests include early childhood prevention, community-based and complex systems interventions, promoting equity through prevention interventions, and improving use of existing data and systems to generate high quality evidence.
Research interests
Epidemiological modelling of non-communicable diseases
Community-based approaches to obesity prevention
Improved use of routine datasets for monitoring population health
Units taught
HSH744 - Epidemiology 1 (Masters of Public Health core unit)
Publications
A Theory of Change for Community-Based Systems Interventions to Prevent Obesity
A Brown, J Whelan, K Bolton, P Nagorcka-Smith, J Hayward, P Fraser, C Strugnell, T Felmingham, M Nichols, C Bell, H Le, S Allender
(2022), Vol. 62, pp. 786-794, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Netherlands, C1
L Alston, M Green, M Nichols, S Partridge, A Buccheri, K Bolton, V Versace, M Field, A Launder, A Lily, S Allender, L Orellana
(2022), Vol. 14, pp. 1-9, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1
N Crooks, D Becker, C Gaskin, M Nichols, K Bolton, L Orellana, P Fraser, H Le, A Brown, C Bell, J Bliss, S Allender, C Strugnell
(2022), pp. 1-13, Childhood Obesity, New Rochelle, New York, C1
H Tran, A Killedar, E Tan, M Moodie, A Hayes, B Swinburn, M Nichols, V Brown
(2022), pp. 1-11, Pediatric Obesity, London, Eng., C1
Systematic review of the effectiveness of health promotion interventions targeting obesity prevention in school-based staff
A Hill, L Alston, C Needham, A Peeters, A Lamontagne, M Nichols
(2022), Vol. 37, Health Promotion International, C1
The impact of coalition characteristics on outcomes in community-based initiatives targeting the social determinants of health: a systematic review
P Nagorcka-Smith, K Bolton, J Dam, M Nichols, L Alston, M Johnstone, S Allender
(2022), Vol. 22, BMC Public Health, C1
Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevention Obesity and Non-communicable Disease (RESPOND): Protocol and baseline outcomes for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised prevention trial
J Whelan, J Hayward, M Nichols, A Brown, L Orellana, V Brown, D Becker, C Bell, B Swinburn, A Peeters, M Moodie, S Geddes, C Chadwick, S Allender, C Strugnell
(2022), Vol. 12, BMJ Open, C1
J Jacobs, K Backholer, C Strugnell, S Allender, M Nichols
(2021), Vol. 46, pp. 98-107, Journal of Community Health, Netherlands, C1
L Alston, V Versace, E Brown, M Nichols, J Whelan, K Bolton, G Sacks, C Needham, L Orellana, S Allender
(2021), Vol. 45, pp. 65-70, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Australia, C1
N Crooks, L Alston, M Nichols, K Bolton, S Allender, P Fraser, H Le, J Bliss, C Rennie, L Orellana, C Strugnell
(2021), Vol. 18, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, England, C1
M Nichols, S Allender, B Swinburn, L Orellana
(2021), Vol. 6, pp. e462-e471, The Lancet Public Health, England, C1
J Jacobs, N Crooks, S Allender, C Strugnell, K Backholer, M Nichols
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, England, C1
J Jacobs, C Strugnell, S Allender, L Orellana, K Backholer, K Bolton, P Fraser, H Le, A Brown, M Nichols
(2021), Vol. 21, BMC Public Health, England, C1
L Alston, J Jacobs, S Allender, M Nichols
(2020), Vol. 23, pp. 339-347, Public Health Nutrition, England, C1
Integrating Complex Systems Methods to Advance Obesity Prevention Intervention Research
E Hennessy, C Economos, R Hammond, L Sweeney, L Brukilacchio, V Chomitz, J Collins, E Nahar, N Rioles, S Allender, B Swinburn, M Gillman, P Hovmand, M Kasman, M Nichols
(2020), Vol. 47, pp. 213-223, Health Education and Behavior, United States, C1
L Alston, L Bourke, M Nichols, S Allender
(2020), Vol. 44, pp. 527-534, Australian health review, Clayton, Vic., C1
L Alston, M Green, V Versace, K Bolton, K Widdicombe, A Buccheri, D Imran, S Allender, L Orellana, M Nichols
(2020), Vol. 17, pp. 1-11, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
J Whelan, C Strugnell, S Allender, A Korn, A Brown, L Orellana, J Hayward, V Brown, C Bell, M Moodie, A Peeters, M Nichols
(2020), Vol. 21, Trials, England, C1
S Osborne, L Alston, K Bolton, J Whelan, E Reeve, A Wong Shee, J Browne, T Walker, V Versace, S Allender, M Nichols, K Backholer, N Goodwin, S Lewis, H Dalton, G Prael, M Curtin, R Brooks, S Verdon, J Crockett, G Hodgins, S Walsh, D Lyle, S Thompson, L Browne, S Knight, S Pit, M Jones, M Gillam, M Leach, D Gonzalez-Chica, K Muyambi, T Eshetie, K Tran, E May, G Lieschke, V Parker, A Smith, C Hayes, A Dunlop, H Rajappa, R White, P Oakley, S Holliday
(2020), Vol. 213, pp. S3-S32.e1, Medical Journal of Australia, Australia, C1
Laura Alston, Kristy Bolton, Jill Whelan, Erica Reeve, Anna Shee, Jennifer Browne, Troy Walker, Vincent Versace, Steven Allender, Melanie Nichols, Kathryn Backholer
(2020), Vol. 213, pp. S5-+, MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA, C1
Rushabh Shah, Elizabeth Wilkins, Melanie Nichols, Paul Kelly, Farah El-Sadi, F Wright, Nick Townsend
(2019), Vol. 40, pp. 755-764, European heart journal, Oxford, Eng., C1
Jane Jacobs, Laura Alston, Cindy Needham, Kathryn Backholer, Claudia Strugnell, Steven Allender, Melanie Nichols
(2019), Vol. 20, pp. 686-700, Obesity reviews, Chichester, Eng., C1
L Alston, M Nichols, S Allender
(2019), Vol. 14, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
M Kasman, R Hammond, B Heuberger, A Mack-Crane, R Purcell, C Economos, B Swinburn, S Allender, M Nichols
(2019), Vol. 27, pp. 1494-1502, Obesity, United States, C1
L Alston, N Crooks, C Strugnell, L Orellana, S Allender, C Rennie, M Nichols
(2019), Vol. 16, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Switzerland, C1
O Huse, J Hettiarachchi, E Gearon, M Nichols, S Allender, A Peeters
(2018), Vol. 12, pp. 29-39, Obesity research & clinical practice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Owen, A Brown, J Kuhlberg, L Millar, M Nichols, C Economos, S Allender
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
J Marks, A Sanigorski, B Owen, J McGlashan, L Millar, M Nichols, C Strugnell, S Allender
(2018), Vol. 8, pp. 575-584, Translational behavioral medicine, Oxford, Eng., C1
J McGlashan, M Nichols, A Korn, L Millar, J Marks, A Sanigorski, M Pachucki, B Swinburn, S Allender, C Economos
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
J Jacobs, K Peterson, S Allender, L Alston, M Nichols
(2018), Vol. 42, pp. 467-473, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Australia, C1
Rural Inequalities in the Australian Burden of Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Systematic Review
L Alston, S Allender, K Peterson, J Jacobs, M Nichols
(2017), Vol. 26, pp. 122-133, Heart Lung and Circulation, Australia, C1
J Herbert, K Peterson, L Alston, S Allender, M Nichols
(2017), Vol. 11, pp. 414-425, Obesity research & clinical practice, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Malakellis, E Hoare, A Sanigorski, N Crooks, S Allender, M Nichols, B Swinburn, C Chikwendu, P Kelly, S Petersen, L Millar
(2017), Vol. 41, pp. 490-496, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Australia, C1
L Alston, K Peterson, J Jacobs, S Allender, M Nichols
(2017), Vol. 7, BMJ Open, England, C1
E Hoare, L Millar, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, H Skouteris, M Nichols, M Malakellis, B Swinburn, S Allender
(2016), Vol. 6, BMJ Open, England, C1
K Peterson, J Jacobs, S Allender, L Alston, M Nichols
(2016), Vol. 16, BMC Public Health, England, C1
Cardiovascular disease in Europe: Epidemiological update 2016
N Townsend, L Wilson, P Bhatnagar, K Wickramasinghe, M Rayner, M Nichols
(2016), Vol. 37, pp. 3232-3245, European Heart Journal, England, C1
L Alston, K Peterson, J Jacobs, S Allender, M Nichols
(2016), Vol. 16, BMC Public Health, England, C1
A Wahid, N Manek, M Nichols, P Kelly, C Foster, P Webster, A Kaur, C Friedemann Smith, E Wilkins, M Rayner, N Roberts, P Scarborough
(2016), Vol. 5, Journal of the American Heart Association, England, C1
Cardiovascular disease in Europe 2016: an epidemiological update
N Townsend, L Wilson, P Bhatnagar, K Wickramasinghe, M Rayner, M Nichols
(2016), Vol. 37, pp. 3182-3183, European heart journal, Oxford, Eng., C1
E Hoare, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, H Skouteris, L Millar, M Nichols, S Allender
(2015), Vol. 5, BMJ Open, England, C1
Web search activity data accurately predict population chronic disease risk in the USA
T Nguyen, T Tran, W Luo, S Gupta, S Rana, Q Phung, M Nichols, L Millar, S Venkatesh, S Allender
(2015), Vol. 69, pp. 693-699, Journal of epidemiology and community health, London, Eng., C1
W Luo, T Nguyen, M Nichols, T Tran, S Rana, S Gupta, Q Phung, S Venkatesh, S Allender
(2015), Vol. 10, pp. 1-13, PLoS One, San Francisco, Calif., C1
N Wheaton, L Millar, S Allender, M Nichols
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. 1-9, BMJ open, London, Eng., C1
Cardiovascular disease in Europe - epidemiological update 2015
N Townsend, M Nichols, P Scarborough, M Rayner
(2015), Vol. 36, pp. 2696-2705, European heart journal, Oxford, 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
Cardiovascular disease in Europe 2015 : epidemiological update
N Townsend, M Nichols, P Scarborough, M Rayner
(2015), Vol. 36, pp. 2696-2705, European heart journal, London, Eng., C1
L Millar, B Rowland, M Nichols, B Swinburn, C Bennett, H Skouteris, S Allender
(2014), Vol. 22, Obesity, Hoboken, N. J., C1
E Hoare, L Millar, M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, H Skouteris, M Nichols, F Jacka, B Swinburn, C Chikwendu, S Allender
(2014), Vol. 68, pp. 767-772, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, London, England, C1
Cardiovascular disease in Europe 2014: epidemiological update
M Nichols, N Townsend, P Scarborough, M Rayner
(2014), Vol. 35, pp. 2950-2959, European heart journal, Oxford, England, C1
L Wolfenden, R Wyse, M Nichols, S Allender, L Millar, P McElduff
(2014), Vol. 62, pp. 193-200, Preventive medicine, Maryland Heights, Missouri, C1
L Millar, N Robertson, S Allender, M Nichols, C Bennett, B Swinburn
(2013), Vol. 56, pp. 379-384, Preventive medicine, Maryland Heights, Mo., 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
Adolescent dietary patterns in Fiji and their relationships with standardized body mass index
J Wate, W Snowdon, L Millar, M Nichols, H Mavoa, R Goundar, A Kama, B Swinburn
(2013), Vol. 10, pp. 1-12, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, C1
M Nichols, N Townsend, P Scarborough, M Rayner
(2013), Vol. 34, pp. 3017-3027, European heart journal, Oxford, England, C1
Community-based efforts to prevent obesity: Australia-wide survey of projects
M Nichols, R Reynolds, E Waters, T Gill, L King, B Swinburn, S Allender
(2013), pp. 1-7, Health promotion journal of Australia, Camperdown, N. S. W., C1
Cardiovascular disease in Europe: epidemiological update
M Nichols, N Townsend, P Scarborough, M Rayner
(2013), Vol. 34, pp. 3028-3034, European heart journal, Oxford, England, C1
M Nichols, P Scarborough, S Allender, M Rayner
(2012), Vol. 2, pp. 1-10, BMJ Open, London, England, C1
A de Silva-Sanigorski, A Bell, P Kremer, J Park, L Demajo, M Smith, S Sharp, M Nichols, L Carpenter, R Boak, B Swinburn
(2012), Vol. 8, pp. 205-215, Childhood obesity, New Rochelle, N.Y., 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
A de Silva-Sanigorski, D Elea, C Bell, P Kremer, L Carpenter, M Nichols, M Smith, S Sharp, R Boak, B Swinburn
(2011), Vol. 37, pp. 385-393, Child : care, health and development, Oxford, England, C1
The development of a network for community based obesity prevention : the CO-OPS collaboration
S Allender, M Nichols, C Foulkes, R Reynolds, E Waters, L King, T Gill, R Armstrong, B Swinburn
(2011), Vol. 11, pp. 1-8, BMC public health, London, England, C1
Decreasing trends in overweight and obesity among an Australian population of preschool children
M Nichols, A de Silva-Sanigorski, J Cleary, S Goldfeld, A Colahan, B Swinburn
(2011), Vol. 35, pp. 916-924, International journal of obesity, London, England, C1
M Nichols, B Swinburn
(2010), Vol. 11, pp. 731-739, Obesity reviews, Oxford, England, C1
A De Silva-Sanigorski, A Bell, P Kremer, M Nichols, M Crellin, M Smith, S Sharp, F de Groot, L Carpenter, R Boak, N Robertson, B Swinburn
(2010), Vol. 91, pp. 831-840, American journal of clinical nutrition, Bethesda, Md., C1
C Bennett, A de Silva-Sanigorski, M Nichols, A Bell, B Swinburn
(2009), Vol. 6, pp. 1-6, International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, London, England, C1
Nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents : Report 1 : methods and tools
L Mathews, P Kremer, A Sanigorski, A Simmons, M Nichols, M Moodie, B Swinburn
(2009), Melbourne, Vic., A6
Romp & chomp : Healthy eating and active play for Geelong under 5s : Process report for objective 3
A de Silva-Sanigorski, N Robertson, M Nichols
(2009), [Geelong, Vic.], A6
Romp & chomp : Healthy eating and active play for Geelong under 5s : Process report for objective 8
M Nichols, M Crellin, A de Silva-Sanigorski
(2009), [Geelong, Vic.], A6
Romp & chomp : Healthy eating and active play for Geelong under 5s
F de Groot, N Robertson, A de Silva-Sanigorski, S Parker, M Nichols, F Frawley, T Sacks, M Brennan, K Stagnitti, M Crellin
(2009), [Geelong, Vic.], A6
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
RESPOND: Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevent Obesity and Non-Communicable Disease
Prof Steven Allender, Dr Claudia Strugnell, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Andrew Bell, Prof Marj Moodie, Prof Liliana Orellana
NHMRC - Partnership Project
- 2023: $34,578
- 2022: $311,201
- 2021: $297,552
- 2020: $305,461
- 2019: $247,775
- 2018: $85,145
PRECIS: PRecision Evidence for Childhood obesity prevention InterventionS
Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Kathryn Backholer, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Dr Victoria Brown, Dr Thin Nguyen, Prof Christina Economos
NHMRC - Ideas Grant
- 2023: $27,687
- 2022: $367,668
- 2021: $322,739
Other Public Sector Funding
(Phase 2) - Provision and Evaluation of the It's Your Move Program in the ACT. (Phase 1) - systems-based interventions to promote healthy weight in ACT secondary schools - program planning
Dr Melanie Nichols, Dr Lynne Millar, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Prof Steven Allender
Aust Capital Territory Department of Health ACT Government Health Information
- 2014: $106,146
- 2012: $118,000
- 2011: $5,537
RESPOND: Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevent Obesity and Non-Communicable Disease
Prof Steven Allender, Dr Claudia Strugnell, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Andrew Bell, Prof Marj Moodie, Prof Liliana Orellana
VicHealth - Partnership
- 2020: $25,000
- 2019: $25,000
- 2018: $25,000
Industry and Other Funding
Developing a resource for evidence based healthy living programs
Prof Steven Allender, Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Boyd Swinburn
Centre of Excellence in Intervention and Prevention Science Limited
- 2012: $80,000
HeartStats Project: The Heart Foundation/Deakin University Australian Heart Disease Statistics Project
Prof Steven Allender, Dr Melanie Nichols
NHF Health Professional Scholarship - National Heart Foundation of Australia, NHF Grant Cat 3 - Research - National Heart Foundation of Australia
- 2015: $160,694
- 2014: $169,230
- 2013: $144,932
RESPOND: Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevent Obesity and Non-Communicable Disease
Prof Steven Allender, Dr Claudia Strugnell, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Anna Peeters, Dr Andrew Bell, Prof Marj Moodie, Prof Liliana Orellana
Goulburn Valley Primary Care Partnership
- 2019: $22,500
- 2018: $22,500
Evaluation of the amended Victorian Achievement Program for schools - Pilot study of outcomes for teachers
Prof Anna Peeters, Prof Liliana Orellana, Prof Tony LaMontagne, Dr Melanie Nichols, Dr Claudia Strugnell, Dr Victoria Brown, Mr Nic Crooks
Teachers Health Foundation
- 2020: $85,000
- 2019: $92,000
- 2018: $40,000
Preventing chronic diseases in rural populations for future generations: The role of rural health services in guiding community efforts to improve the food environment.
Dr Laura Alston, Prof Steven Allender, Prof Vincent Versace, Dr Melanie Nichols, Dr Kristy Bolton
Western Alliance
- 2020: $20,595
- 2019: $41,359
Translate a community-based and 'systems informed' childhood obesity intervention.
Dr Claudia Strugnell, Prof Steven Allender, Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Anna Peeters, Prof Colin Bell, Prof Marj Moodie, Prof Liliana Orellana, Dr Josh Hayward, Mr Andrew Brown
Nexus Primary Health
- 2019: $70,000
- 2018: $70,000
A review of evidence on interventions to improve the availability and promotion of healthy food in rural communities.
Dr Laura Alston, Prof Kathryn Backholer, Prof Vincent Versace, Prof Steven Allender, Dr Melanie Nichols, Dr Jill Whelan, Dr Anna Wong Shee, Ms Erica Reeve
Australasian Medical Publishing Co Proprietary Ltd
- 2020: $10,000
Other Funding Sources
International Society Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Prevention (ISCEP)
Dr Melanie Nichols, Prof Steven Allender
International Society of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
- 2017: $15,000
- 2016: $15,000
- 2015: $62,000
Supervisions
Jane Jacobs
Thesis entitled: Socio-economic and regional variation in childhood obesity prevalence and determinants
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health and Social Development
Laura Veronica Alston
Thesis entitled: Policy priorities to reduce disparities in ischaemic heart disease among rural Australians
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health and Social Development
Erin Jane Hoare
Thesis entitled: Obesogenic risk and depression: patterns and prevention among adolescents
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health and Social Development
Jillian Tutuo Wate
Thesis entitled: Obesity, Dietary Choices, and Sociocultural Influences among Fijian Adolescents
Doctor of Philosophy (Health & Social Development), School of Health and Social Development