Assoc Prof Karen Walker - Researcher Profile

Karen Walker

Address

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
Monash University, Clayton

Biography

Karen works in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences at Monash University as a Senior Lecturer.

Dr Karen Walker completed her PhD at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra in 1972. After postdoctoral experience at the Department of Cell Biology, Auckland University, she joined the Centenary Institute University of Sydney working on the production and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies. Dr Walker moved to Geelong in 1990, where she completed her MND,  graduating as a dietitian and then joined a nutrition research team at Deakin University.  Dr Walker later moved to Monash University in 1998 where she became part of a dietetic team establishing a new four-year BND course. 

  

Over recent years Dr Walker taught mainly into  the first two years of the BND course (including into BND1010: Introduction to Human Nutrition, BND2021: Nutritional Biochemistry, BND2042: Nutrition and Immunology). She is a past Convenor for BND3011 (Food Science and Skills) and current convenor for BND2042 (Nutrition and Immunology) . Since 2011 she has also been BND(Hons) convenor.  Her teaching interests include the use of case-based learning.

 

Research interests include dietary intervention studies with emphasis on Mediterranean and other diets that reduce chronic low-grade inflammation of the immune system; nutrition therapy in Type 2 diabetes; dietary intake of Vitamin D in vulnerable groups; and analysis of packet information and a survey of nutrient content in supermarket foods.

Keywords

Nutrition/Dietetics

Qualifications

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Institution: Monash University
Year awarded: 2007
MASTERS OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS (MND)
Institution: Deakin University
Year awarded: 1992
PHD
Institution: Australian National University
Year awarded: 1972
BSC (HONS) FIRST CLASS
Institution: Victoria University (Wellington, New Zealand)
Year awarded: 1969
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Institution: Victoria University (Wellington New Zealand)
Year awarded: 1968

Publications

Book Chapters

Walker, K., O'Dea, K., 2012, Preventing diabetes with diet and exercise, in Nutritional and therapeutic intervention of diabetes and metabolic syndrome, eds Debasis Bagchi, Nair Sreejayan, Academic Press, United Kingdom, pp. 125-134.

Walker, K., 2011, Food for thought: Nutrition therapy in the management of heart disease, in Case Management in Cardiac Disease, eds Simon Stewart and David Thompson, Wiley-Blackwell.

Gomez, M., Walker, K.Z., Buckley, A., 2009, National evidence based guideline for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes, in National Evidence Based Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes, eds Seham Girgis, Diabetes Australia and the NHMRC, Canberra, Australia, pp. 4-165.

Proietto, J., Walker, K.Z., 2009, Overweight and Obesity, in Therapeutic Guidelines: Endocrinology, eds Robert Moulds, Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, Australia, pp. 93-102.

Journal Articles

Ralston, R., Walker, K., Truby, H., 2012, A review of the indices and references used to assess overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 69, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 300-308.

Davidson, Z.E., Walker, K.Z., Truby, H., 2012, Clinical review: Do glucocorticosteroids alter vitamin D status? A systematic review with meta-analyses of observational studies, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism [P], vol 97, issue 3, The Endocrine Society, United States, pp. 738-744.

Ralston, R., Truby, H., Palermo, C., Walker, K., 2012, Colorectal cancer and non-fermented milk, solid cheese, and fermentaed milk consumptio: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies, Critical Reviews In Food Science And Nutrition [P], vol E, Taylor & Francis Inc., United States, pp. 1-11.

Forbes, J.M., Andrikopoulos, S., Walker, K.Z., 2012, Glucose homeostastis can be differentially modulated by varying individual components of a western diet., Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry [P], Elsevier, In Press, pp. 1-7.

Brazionis, L., Walker, K., Itsiopoulos, C., O'Dea, K., 2012, Plasma retinol: A novel marker for cardiovascular disease mortality in Australian adults, Nutrition Metabolism And Cardiovascular Diseases [P], vol 3.438, Elsevier Ltd, United Kingdom.

Ralston, R., Lee, J., Truby, H., Palermo, C., Walker, K., 2011, A systematic review and meta-analysis of elevated blood pressure and consumption of dairy foods, Journal of Human Hypertension [P], vol E, Nature Publishing Group, United Kingdom, pp. 1-11.

Iacovou, M., Ralston, R., Muir, J., Walker, K., Truby, H., 2011, Dietary management of infantile colic: A systematic review, Maternal and Child Health Journal [E], vol E, Springer New York LLC, United States, pp. 1-13.

Lee, S., Dart, A.M., Walker, K., O'Dea, K., Chin-Dusting, J., Skilton, M., 2011, Effect of altering dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio on cardiovascular risk measures in patients treated with statins: A pilot study, British Journal Of Nutrition [P], vol E, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1-6.

Pretorius, S., Sliwa, K., Ruf, V., Walker, K., Stewart, S., 2011, Feeding the emergence of advanced heart disease in Soweto: A nutritional survey of black African patients with heart failure, Cardiovascular Journal of Africa [P], vol 21, Clinics - Cardive Publishing Co., South Africa, pp. 1-7.

Cheung, A.L.T., Wilcox, G., Walker, K.Z., Shah, N.P., Strauss, B.J.G., Ashton, J.F., Stojanovska, L., 2011, Fermentation of calcium-fortified soya milk does not appear to enhance acute calcium absorption in osteopenic post-menopausal women, British Journal Of Nutrition [P], vol 105, issue 2, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 282-286.

Brazionis, L., Walker, K.Z., Itsiopoulos, C., O'Dea, K., 2011, Plasma retinol and mortality in older Australian adults., Nutrition Metabolism And Cardiovascular Diseases [P], vol e, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 914-920.

Woods, J., Iuliano-Burns, S., King, S., Strauss, B., Walker, K., 2011, Poor physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care is related to muscle strength rather than to measures of sarcopenia, Clinical interventions in aging [E], vol 6, Dove Medical Press Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 67-76.

Harcourt, B., Sourris, K., Coughlan, M., Walker, K., Dougherty, S., Andrikopoulos, S., Morley, A., Thallas-Bonke, V., Chand, V., Penfold, S., de Courten, M., Thomas, M., Kingwell, B., Bierhaus, A., Cooper, M., De Courten, B., Forbes, J., 2011, Targeted reduction of advanced glycation improves renal function in obesity, Kidney International [P], vol 80, issue 2, Nature Publishing Group, United Kingdom, pp. 190-198.

Woods, J., Iuliano-Burns, S., Walker, K., 2011, Weight loss in elderly women in low-level care and its association with transfer to high-level care and mortality, Clinical interventions in aging [E], vol 6, Dove Medical Press Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 311-317.

Lu, Z., Walker, K., O'Dea, K., Sikaris, K., Shaw, J., 2010, A1C for screening and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice, Diabetes Care [P], vol 33, issue 4, American Diabetes Association, United States, pp. 817-819.

Hawker, J., Walker, K., 2010, An Objective Structured Clinical Examination to assess preclinical skills, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 67, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, New Zealand, pp. 102-105.

Tang, A., Walker, K., Wilcox, G., Strauss, B., Ashton, J., Stojanovska, L., 2010, Calcium absorption in Australian osteopenic post-menopausal women: An acute comparative study of fortified soymilk to cows' milk, Asia Pacific Journal Of Clinical Nutrition [P], vol 19, issue 2, HEC Press, Australia, pp. 243-249.

Walker, K., O'Dea, K., Gomez, M., Girgis, S., Colagiuri, S., 2010, Diet and exercise in the prevention of diabetes, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 23, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 344-352.

Hawker, J., Walker, K., Barrington, V., Andrianopoulos, N., 2010, Measuring the success of an objective structured clinical examination for dietetic students, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 23, issue 3, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 212-216.

Tang, A., Wilcox, G., Walker, K., Shah, N., Ashton, J., Stojanovska, L., 2010, Phytase activity from Lactobacillus spp. in calcium-fortified soymilk, Journal of Food Science [P], vol 75, issue 6, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., United States, pp. M373-M376.

Thrift, A.G., Srikanth, V., Fitzgerald, S.M., Kalyanram, K., Kartik, K., Hoppe, C.C., Walker, K.Z., Evans, R.G., 2010, Potential roles of high salt intake and maternal malnutrition in the development of hypertension in disadvantaged populations, Clinical And Experimental Pharmacology And Physio..., vol 37, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 78-90.

Lai, J., King, S., Walker, K., 2010, Use of anthropometric techniques in dietetic practice, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 67, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Australia, New Zealand, pp. 65-70.

Walker, K.Z., Woods, J.L., Ross, J., Hechtman, R., 2010, Yoghurt and dairy snacks presented for sale to an Australian consumer: are they becoming less healthy?, Public Health Nutrition [P], vol 13, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 1036-1041.

Palermo, C.E., Walker, K.Z., Brown, G.T., Zoghi, M., 2009, How dietetics students like to learn: Implications for curriculum planners, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 66, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, New Zealand, pp. 108-112.

Woods, J.L., Walker, K.Z., Iuliano-Burns, S., Strauss, B.J.G., 2009, Malnutrition on the menu: nutritional status of institutionalised elderly Australians in low-level care, Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging [P], vol 13, issue 8, Editions SERDI, France, pp. 693-698.

Macaulay, J.O., Van Damme, M.I., Walker, K.Z., 2009, The use of contextual learning to teach biochemistry to dietetic students, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education [P], vol 37, issue 3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA, pp. 137-143.

Brooks, N.A., Wilcox, G., Walker, K.Z., Ashton, J.F., Cox, M.B., Stojanovska, L., 2008, Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content, Menopause, vol 15, issue 6, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, United States, pp. 1157-1162.

Walker, K.Z., Woods, J.L., Rickard, C.A., Wong, C.K.W., 2008, Product variety in Australian snacks and drinks: How can the consumer make a healthy choice?, Public Health Nutrition, vol 11, issue 10, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1046-1053.

Palermo, C.E., Walker, K.Z., Hill, P., McDonald, J., 2008, The cost of healthy food in rural Victoria., Rural and Remote Health, vol 8, issue 4, Australian Rural Health Education Network, Australia, pp. 1-9.

Woods, J.L., Walker, K.Z., 2007, Choosing breakfast: How well does packet information on Australian breakfast cereals, bars and drinks reflect recommendations?, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 64, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, New Zealand, pp. 226-233.

Tang, A.L., Shah, N.P., Wilcox, G., Walker, K.Z., Stojanovska, L., 2007, Fermentation of calcium-fortified soymilk with Lactobacillus: Effects on calcium solubility, isoflavone conversion, and production of organic acids, Journal of Food Science [P], vol 72, issue 9, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., United States, pp. 431-436.

Walker, K., O'Dea, K., 2007, Monounsaturated fat-rich diet prevents central body fat distribution and decreases postprandial adiponectin expression induced by a carbohydrate-rich diet in insulin-resistant subjects [15], Diabetes Care [P], vol 30, issue 11, American Diabetes Association, United States, p. e122.

Walker, K.Z., 2006, Dietary fibre and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources, vol 1, issue 011, CAB International, UK, pp. 1-10.

Lu, Z.X., Walker, K.Z., Muir, J.G., O'Dea, K., 2004, Arabinoxylan fibre improves metabolic control in people with Type II diabetes, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol 58, issue 4, Nature Publishing Group, UK, pp. 621-628.

Rowley, K.G., Walker, K.Z., Cohen, J., Jenkins, A.J., O'Neal, D.N., Su, Q., Best, J.D., O'Dea, K., 2003, Inflammation and vascular endothelial activation in an Aboriginal population: relationships to coronary disease risk factors and nutritional markers, Medical Journal of Australia, vol 178, issue 10, Australasian Medical Publishing Co. Ltd, Sydney NSW Australia, pp. 495-500.

Piers, L.S., Walker, K.Z., Stoney, R.M., Soares, M., O'Dea, K., 2003, Substitution of saturated with monounsaturated fat in a 4-week diet affects body weight and composition of overweight and obese men, British Journal Of Nutrition [P], vol 90, issue 3, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 717-727.

Davis, S.R., Walker, K.Z., Strauss, B.J.G., 2000, Effects of estradiol with and without testosterone on body composition and relationships with lipids in postmenopausal women, Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society, vol 7, issue 6, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, USA, pp. 395-401.

Walker, K.Z., O'Dea, K., Nicholson, G.C., 1999, Dietary composition affects regional body fat distribution and levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in post-menopausal women with Type 2 diabetes, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol 53, Stockton Press, Basingstoke England, pp. 700-705.

Walker, K.Z., Piers, L.S., Putt, R.S., Jones, J., O'Dea, K., 1999, Effects of regular walking on cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in normoglycemic women and women with type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Care, vol 22 (4), American Diabetes Association, Alexandria VA, pp. 1-7.

Conference Proceedings

Macaulay, J., Van Damme, M.I., Walker, K.Z., 2005, Teaching nutrient metabolism on Web-CT Vista, Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 19-23 September, 2005, S Karger, Switzerland, p. 62.

Macaulay, J.O., Van Damme, M.I., Walker, K.Z., 2005, The use of blended learning to teach metabolism, UniServe Science, 30 September 2005, UniServe Science, Australia, pp. 155-158.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
IMPACT OF FORTIFICATION OF THE MENU WITH PROTEIN, CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D ON IMMUNITY AND INFECTIONS IN INSTITUTIONALISED ELDERLY PEOPLE.
Supervisors:
Walker, K (Main), Strauss, B (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Malnutrition and the risk of Hypertension in a rural south Indian population.
Supervisors:
Thrift, A (Main), Arabshahi, S (Associate), Walker, K (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Promoting lifestyle changes for Chinese Australians with Type 2 diabetes.
Supervisors:
Palermo, C (Main), Browning, C (Associate), Walker, K (Associate).

Completed Supervision

Student:
Davidson, Z.
Program of Study:
Advancing the evidence base for nutritional management of boys with duchenne muscular dystrophy.. (PHD) 2012.
Supervisors:
Truby, H (Main), Walker, K (Associate).