Diet quality plays a crucial role when it comes to our health and wellbeing. But what do we know about the relationship between diet and chronic disease? People living with chronic illness – including hypertension and both type 1 and 2 diabetes – are more likely to experience adverse mental health issues. We want to investigate whether diet impacts this relationship, for better or for worse!

A groundbreaking study led by University of Newcastle Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO from HMRI’s Food & Nutrition Research Program is looking to help answer some of these questions. The Diet quality, lifestyle and health among Australian adults study aims to create a representative national dataset to help provide updated insights into diet patterns and their relationship with health, including mental health and overall quality of life.

“We know that diet impacts physical health and we know that diet impacts mental health,” she says. “But we also know that people have different responses to different foods. We’re doing this study to…go one step further and see why people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension also have different responses.”

University of Newcastle’s Dr Jordan Stanford from HMRI’s Food & Nutrition Research Program adds that the most recent dietary data for Australians is over a decade old and lacking in detail.

“The existing data only provides a limited snapshot of what Australians eat,” she says.

Overseas data is also lacking in both sample size and scope, meaning researchers interested in exploring the relationships between diet and chronic disease don’t have a comprehensive dataset to pull from.

“That’s why our team is seeking adult Australians from across the country to take part in Phase 1,” says Dr Stanford.

“For Phase 1, we’re recruiting anyone over the age of 18, who is not pregnant or breastfeeding, to complete a series of online questionnaires related to their diet.” 

Phase 2 is optional and open to people living in the Hunter New England Region who are available to come in for a one-time appointment at the University of Newcastle. They will undergo a series of assessments, including blood tests, composition, biological samples and more.

Aside from contributing to invaluable medical research, participants in Phase 1 will go be entered into a draw to win one of five $100 electronic gift vouchers at each of the three time points (first survey, 6-month survey and 12-month survey).

All participants will also receive a personalised nutrition report.

Phase 2 participants will receive their blood test results, body composition analysis and diet quality assessment, with research dietitians providing general explanations. They’ll also have the option to have their results sent to their GP for use in medical consultations.

Participate in the study here.

_{The Diet quality, lifestyle and health among Australian adults study is supported by an Investigator Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Counsil.}