Prof Helen Truby - Researcher Profile

Helen Truby

Address

Nutrition & Dietetics Department
Southern Clinical School, Monash University

Contact Details

Email: Helen.Truby@monash.edu


Biography

You are what you eat... or learned to eat as a child

Professor Helen Truby is fighting a modern scourge – adult heart disease, strokes and cancer, caused largely, she believes, by poor eating and sedentary habits developed in childhood.  The creator of the children’s body image scale says Monash’s new Translational Physiology Laboratory has become a valuable weapon in her battle.

As a clinical dietician, Helen is worried by the increasing incidence of obesity in children, not just because it can damage their self esteem but because it can doom them to a lifetime of illness.

“If you’re an obese adolescent, you’re 75 per cent more likely to become an obese adult, and we know in adulthood, obesity increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer, which are not particularly pleasant diseases,” she says.

Helen links the rising number of overweight children to a more sedentary lifestyle and food choices that are too high in energy - which become hard-to-break habits.

“Treating an already obese child is very difficult, and most of the interventions we have to date are not terribly effective,” she says, “but early intervention is really important.”

As a PhD student, Helen helped create the children’s body image scale, now widely used to measure the gap between a child’s perceived and actual body size.

Tests using the scale show that young girls tend to be better assessors of reality than young boys, but they both prefer thinner bodies, especially girls (boys want muscles), and no one wants to be overweight.

The desire for thinness is more cultural than inbuilt, Helen says, but it means parents and health professionals need to tread carefully when trying to help overweight children.

She says combating obesity is also hard because we don’t know why it affects some children in a family but not others.

“You’re obviously born with your genetic profile but your early environment – the amount of fat or carbohydrates you eat, your level of activity – may lead to interactions between your genes and environment that trigger changes, such as more fat beneath the skin.”

Helen says the Translational Physiology Laboratory at Notting Hill, near the Monash Clayton campus, will allow her research team to collect the data they need to individualise weight management programs.

The lab includes a sleep laboratory, a commercial kitchen, exercise spaces and areas for collecting blood and urine samples, giving researchers a chance to collect valuable information in a friendly space.

Being able to provide individual solutions to weight problems is a major research focus.

“We’re collaborating on a big international study, including with students at Kings College in London, on how to use genomics, and we’re hoping to report to the International Congress of Dietetics in Sydney in 2012.”

But the possibility of genetically specific weight programs shouldn’t detract from the broad message that energy in should equal energy out, Helen says.

“People don’t understand how much activity is required to burn off energy-dense foods. If I could act on a global scale, I would put on every chocolate bar something like, ‘If you eat this, you need to run a mini-marathon, or 10 kilometres, to burn it off.’

She says clear, evidence-based, government guidelines can help health professionals counter the advertising and availability of junk foods with a consistent message about the need to balance energy input with exercise output.

Interestingly, Helen and her team reverse their approach to high-energy diets when caring for children with certain diseases.

“Children with cystic fibrosis need to build muscle to protect them from chronic infections. They suffer from malabsorption, so we give them a high-fat, high-sugar diet.”

Her team is also testing a high-protein nutriceutical supplement for children with muscular dystrophy to help them maintain muscle mass and stay on their feet longer.

They’re also looking at special diets for children recovering from injury by testing products that athletes use to recover muscle condition and a multi-component milkshake, developed by one of her research students.

“It’s very interesting work, which has implications for a range of diseases and conditions,” she says.

Keywords

adolescent obesity weight loss predictors body mass index, paediatrics, energy expenditure, weight management

Qualifications

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Institution: Univeristy of Melbourne
Year awarded: 1999
MASTER HUMAN NUTRITION
Institution: Deakin University
Year awarded: 1996
BACHELOR SCIENCE NUTRITION & DIETETICS W HONORS
Institution: University of Wales in Cardiff
Year awarded: 1985

Publications

Journal Articles

Collins, C.E., Burrows, T., Truby, H., Morgan, P.J., Wright, I., Davies, P.S., Callister, R., 2013, Comparison of Energy Intake in Toddlers Assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire and Total Energy Expenditure Measured by the Doubly Labeled Water Method, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 113, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 459-463.

Iacovou, M., Pattieson, D.C., Truby, H., Palermo, C.E., 2013, Social health and nutrition impacts of community kitchens: a systematic review, Public Health Nutrition [P], vol 16, issue 3, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 535-543.

Ong, C.W., O'Driscoll, D.M., Truby, H., Naughton, M.T., Hamilton, G.S., 2013, The reciprocal interaction between obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea, Sleep Medicine Reviews [P], vol 17, issue 2, Elsevier Masson, France, pp. 123-131.

Nambiar, S., Truby, H., Hughes, I.P., Davies, P.S., 2013, Utility of the waist-to-height ratio as an instrument to measure parental perception of body weight in children and its use in a population-based survey of children, Public Health Nutrition [P], vol 16, issue 2, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 274-280.

Burrows, T., Truby, H., Morgan, P.J., Callister, R., Davies, P.S., Collins, C.E., 2012, A comparison and validation of child versus parent reporting of children's energy intake using food frequency questionnaires versus food records: Who's an accurate reporter?, Clinical Nutrition [P], vol epub, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, p. epub.

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.

Elliott, S., Davidson, Z.E., Davies, P.S., Truby, H., 2012, Predicting resting energy expenditure in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology [P], vol 16, issue 6, Elsevier Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 631-635.

Baxter, K., Ware, R., Batch, J., Truby, H., 2012, Predicting success: Factors associated with weight change in obese youth undertaking a weight management program, Obesity Research and Clinical Practice [P], Elsevier BV, Netherlands.

Burrows, T., Golley, R., Khambalia, A., McNaughton, S.A., Magarey, A., Rosenkranz, R.R., Allman-Farinelli, M., Rangan, A.M., Truby, H., Collins, C.E., 2012, The quality of dietary intake methodology and reporting in child and adolescent obesity intervention trials: a systematic review, Obesity Reviews [P], vol 13, issue 12, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-14.

Elliott, S., Davies, P., Nambiar, S., Truby, H., Abbott, R., 2011, A comparison of two screening methods to determine the validity of 24-h food and drink records in children and adolescents, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition [P], vol 65, issue 12, Nature Publishing Group, United Kingdom, pp. 1314-1320.

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.

Truby, H., Baxter, K., Elliott, S., Warren, J., Davies, P., Batch, J., 2011, Adolescents seeking weight management: Who is putting their hand up and what are they looking for?, Journal Of Paediatrics And Child Health [P], vol 47, issue 1-2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 2-4.

Elliott, S., Truby, H., Lee, A., Harper, C., Abbott, R., Davies, P., 2011, Associations of body mass index and waist circumference with: Energy intake and percentage energy from macronutrients, in a cohort of Australian children, Nutrition Journal [P], vol 10, issue Art. No: 58, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-7.

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, J., Ralston, R., Truby, H., 2011, Influence of food cost on diet quality and risk factors for chronic disease: A systematic review, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 68, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 248-261.

Truby, H., Bonham, M., 2011, What makes a weight loss programme successful?, British Medical Journal [P], vol 343, B M J Group, United Kingdom, p. d6629.

Truby, H., 2010, Internationalism in dietetic education and practise, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 23, issue 3, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 203-204.

Truby, H., Baxter, K., Barrett, P., Ware, R., Cardinal, J., Davies, P., Daniels, L., Batch, J., 2010, The eat smart study: A randomised controlled trial of a reduced carbohydrate versus a low fat diet for weight loss in obese adolescents, BMC Public Health [P], vol 10, issue Art. No. 464, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-9.

Davidson, Z.E., Truby, H., 2009, A review of nutrition in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 22, issue 5, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, UK, pp. 383-393.

Truby, H., 2009, Ateiology and management of childhood obesity, Paediatrics & Child Health in General Practice [P], vol 4, Good Health Publications, Australia, pp. 6-7.

Morgan, L.M., Griffin, B.A., DeLooy, A., Fox, K.R., Baic, S., Bonham, M.P., Wallace, J.M., Macdonald, I.A., Taylor, M.A., Truby, H., 2009, Comparison of the effects of four commercially available weight-loss programmes on lipid-based cardiovascular risk factors, Public Health Nutrition [P], vol 12, issue 6, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 799-807.

Truby, H., Cowlishaw, P., O'Neil, C., Wainwright, C., 2009, The long term efficacy of gastrostomy feeding in children with cystic fibrosis on anthropometric markers of nutritonal status and pulmonary function, The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal [E], vol 3, Bentham Open, The Netherlands, pp. 112-115.

Nambiar, S., Truby, H., Abbott, R.A., Davies, P.S., 2009, Validating the waist-height ratio and developing centiles for use amongst children and adolescents, Acta Paediatrica [P], vol 98, issue 1, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, UK, Japan, pp. 148-152.

Herriot, A., Thomas, D.E., Hart, K.H., Warren, J., Truby, H., 2008, A qualitative investigation of individuals'experiences and expectations before and after completing a trial of commercial weight loss programmes, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 21, issue 1, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 72-80.

Barratt, R., Frost, G., Millward, D.J., Truby, H., 2008, A randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of an intensive lifestyle intervention v. standard care in adults with type 2 diabetes immediately after initiating insulin therapy, British Journal Of Nutrition [P], vol 99, issue 5, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1025-1031.

Waston, H., Bilton, D., Truby, H., 2008, A randomized controlled trial of a new behavioral home-based nutrition education program, "Eat well with CF," in adults with cystic fibrosis, Journal of the American Dietetic Association [P], vol 108, issue 5, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 847-852.

Martins, C., Morgan, L., Truby, H., 2008, A review of the effects of exercise on appetite regulation: An obesity perspective, International Journal Of Obesity [P], vol 32, issue 9, Nature Publishing Group, United Kingdom, pp. 1337-1347.

Truby, H., Hiscutt, R., Herriot, A., Stanley, M., DeLooy, A., Fox, K.R., Baic, S., Robson, P.J., Macdonald, I.A., Taylor, M.A., Ware, R., Logan, C.M., Livingstone, M.B., 2008, Commercial weight loss diets meet nutrient requirements in free living adults over 8 weeks: A randomised controlled weight loss trial, Nutrition Journal [P], vol 7, BioMed Central Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 1-13.

Truby, H., Paxton, S., 2008, The Children's Body Image Scale: reliability and use with international standards for body mass index, British Journal of Clinical Psychology [P], vol 47, The British Psychological Society, United Kingdom, pp. 119-124.

Barratt, R., O'Boyle, A., Millward, D.J., Truby, H., 2008, Use of sibutramine to assist obese women with weight loss can be successful in dietitian-led clinics: Another tool in the dietitian's toolbox, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 21, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 248-255.

Hiscutt, R., Hart, K., Truby, H., 2007, A pilot investigation into body composition change and dietary intake during an 8-week low-carbohydrate diet in free-living obese women, International Journal of Body Composition Research [P], vol 5, issue 1, Smith-Gordon and Co. Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 41-44.

Martins, C., Truby, H., Morgan, L.M., 2007, Short-term appetite control in response to a 6-week exercise programme in sedentary volunteers, British Journal Of Nutrition [P], vol 98, issue 4, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 834-842.

Truby, H., Baic, S., DeLooy, A., Fox, K.R., Livingstone, M.E., Logan, C.M., Macdonald, I.A., Morgan, L.M., Taylor, M.A., Millward, D.J., 2006, Randomised controlled trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in the UK: Initial findings from the BBC "diet trials", British Medical Journal [P], vol 332, issue 7553, B M J Group, United Kingdom, pp. 1309-1311.

Bines, J.E., Truby, H., Armstrong, D., Carzino, R., Grimwood, K., 2005, Vitamin A and E deficiency and lung disease in infants with cystic fibrosis, Journal Of Paediatrics And Child Health [P], vol 41, issue 12, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 663-668.

Bines, J.E., Truby, H., 2004, Measurement of resting energy expenditure in infants, Journal Of Paediatrics And Child Health [P], vol 40, issue 7, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 380-383.

Herriot, A., Bishop, J., Truby, H., 2004, The development and evaluation of Student Training, Education and Practice for Dietetics CD-ROM: a computer-assisted instruction programme for dietetic students, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 17, issue 1, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 35-41.

Herriot, A., Bishop, J., Kelly, M., Murphy, M., Truby, H., 2003, Evaluation of a computer assisted instruction resource in nursing education, Nurse Education Today [P], vol 23, issue 7, Churchill Livingstone, United Kingdom, pp. 537-545.

Hart, K.H., Herriot, A., Bishop, J., Truby, H., 2003, Promoting healthy diet and exercise patterns amongst primary school children: a qualitative investigation of parental perspectives, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 16, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 89-96.

Truby, H., 2003, The challenge of communicatin diet-health messages, Nutrition and Dietetics [P], vol 60, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 228-229.

Truby, H., Paxton, S., 2002, Development of the children's body image scale, British Journal of Clinical Psychology [P], vol 41, The British Psychological Society, United Kingdom, pp. 185-203.

Hart, K.H., Bishop, J., Truby, H., 2002, An investigation into school children's knowledge and awareness of food and nutrition, Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics [P], vol 15, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 129-140.

Bines, J.E., Truby, H., Armstrong, D., Phelan, P.D., Grimwood, K., 2002, Energy metabolism in infants with cystic fibrosis, Journal Of Pediatrics [P], vol 140, issue 5, Mosby, Inc, United States, pp. 527-533.

Truby, H., Paxton, S., 2001, Body Image and Dieting Behavior in Cystic Fibrosis, Pediatrics [P], vol 107, issue 6, American Academy of Pediatrics, United States, pp. 1-7.

Truby, H., Paxton, S., Catto-Smith, A., Phelan, P.D., 1999, Physiological and psychosocial contributors to malnutrition in children with cystic fibrosis: review, Clinical Nutrition [P], vol 18, issue 6, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 327-335.

Conference Proceedings

Hiscutt, R., Truby, H., Reed, A., Smith, J., Hart, K., 2006, An Investigation into the rate and composition of the rapid initial weight loss achieved through the use of low carbohydrate diets, Selected abstracts from the British Dietetic Association Conference 2006, The British Dietetic Association Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 464-465.

Hart, K., Hayward, M., Champion, M., Truby, H., 2006, Promoting collaboration in healthcare: an evaluation of the introduction of interprofessional education to dietetic and clinical psychology students, Selected abstracts from the British Dietetic Association Conference 2006, The British Dietetic Association Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 462-463.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
A randomised control trial of the Girls on the Go! program amongst young women.
Supervisors:
Haines, T (Joint-co), Truby, H (Joint).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
A randomised trial comparing a diet rich in MUFA versus a diet rich in SFA.
Supervisors:
Bonham, M (Joint), Truby, H (Joint-co).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Long term effect of medically prescribed diets on growth, body composition, and nutritional markers in children with inborn errors of metabolism.
Supervisors:
Truby, H (Main), Boneh, A (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Tracking the tackling malnutrition in the subacute setting.
Supervisors:
Truby, H (Main), Huggins, C (Associate).