Our Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Program develops scientific and evidence-based health and nutrition programs, resources and tools to transform health and wellbeing.
Nutrition is one of the most powerful and modifiable determinants of human health, yet poor diet remains a leading cause of illness and early death worldwide. It contributes directly to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and many other preventable conditions. These impacts are felt unequally: where people live, their cultural background, income and access to healthy food all shape their nutrition and long-term health.
Our Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Program is transforming this landscape. Our work spans discovery science, metabolic research, precision and digital nutrition technologies, clinical trials, and population level solutions, ensuring our science is both rigorous and relevant. We bring together world- class scientists, clinicians, digital innovators, behavioural researchers and community partners to generate the evidence, tools and strategies needed to improve nutrition at every stage of life.
We also know that nutrition influences health from the earliest moments of life. The foundations of metabolic health are laid even before birth and continue to evolve throughout infancy, childhood, young adulthood, reproductive age, menopause and into older age. This is why it is vital that individuals and families have access to accurate information, supportive environments, and evidence-based programs that make healthy eating achievable across the lifespan.
Through our research, partnerships and community-driven approach, we are reshaping how nutrition is understood, delivered and supported – improving health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities, now and for future generations
90%
OF AUSTRALIANS DON'T EAT ENOUGH VEGETABLES
LESS THAN 1%
OF AUSTRALIANS HAVE EATING PATTERNS THAT FOLLOW THE AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES
1 in 5
DEATHS ARE LINKED TO POOR DIET
Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Eat for Health: Australian Dietary Guidelines, Australian Government
Nutrition solutions for better health
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to improving nutrition health. That is why our research is diverse, ranging from nutritional biochemistry discovery to influencing food supply and eating environments, to technology-enabled interventions and nutrition education.
Our food and nutrition Researchers:
Our Nutrition and Metabolic Health researchers drive world leading science across the full spectrum of food, nutrition, metabolism, behaviour and health systems. We:
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- Advance foundational and translational science to understand how foods, nutrients, dietary patterns and metabolic processes influence health across the life course; from preconception and early childhood through to healthy ageing.
- Generate high impact discoveries in areas such as personalised nutrition, metabolic phenotyping, digital nutrition technologies, gut microbiome interactions, precision dosing of dietary interventions, and the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
- Develop and rigorously evaluate innovative nutrition interventions, tools and decision-support systems, ensuring they are evidence-based, accessible, scalable and effective in real-world settings.
- Translate complex nutrition science into clear, trustworthy, evidence-based guidance that empowers the public, clinicians and industry to make healthier choices. This includes actively countering misinformation and improving nutrition literacy at population scale, an example being our flagship program, No Money, No Time
- Co-design nutrition programs and resources with communities, clinicians, educators and policymakers to ensure they meet real-world needs and achieve equitable health outcomes.
- Inform national and international nutrition policy by providing high quality evidence for dietary guidelines, food standards, public health strategies and integrated care pathways.
- Partner across sectors, including health, education, agriculture, technology and food systems, to improve Australia’s food and nutrition environment and support sustainable, long-term metabolic health.
- Evidence based dietary assessment platforms (Healthy Eating Quiz, Healthy Eating Quiz+, and the Australian Eating Survey) built, validated and maintained with comprehensive coding, analytics and advisory support for research, clinical and community applications.
- Provide robust evidence to drive food system transformation by demonstrating how healthier, more sustainable local food environments improve diet quality, reduce chronic disease risk, and support long‑term metabolic health though work that is informed by community co‑design, policy-relevant science and cross‑sector partnerships.
It is our vision that our nutrition research will help:
Reduce chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke and diabetes
Reduce chronic disease risk factors including high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Improve mental health and psychological wellbeing including depression and disordered eating
Improve food and nutrition-related behaviours including diet quality and cooking skills
Improve the food and nutrition environment in key settings across the life stage
Partnerships helping everyone eat better
Our Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research Program works alongside a diverse network of partners to transform the nutritional health landscape and respond to the growing need for better food, nutrition and metabolic outcomes across the lifespan.
We collaborate closely with health professionals across multiple disciplines, policymakers, government agencies, educators, community organisations and industry leaders. Together, we design and deliver rigorous, innovative research, from discovery science to clinical trials, digital nutrition technologies, precision nutrition, behaviour change strategies and food system interventions. These partnerships ensure our work is evidence-driven, technologically advanced and grounded in real world needs.
Crucially, we co-design our research with community members to ensure cultural relevance, accessibility and equity. This community-engaged approach strengthens the impact of our findings and ensures that solutions work for the people they are intended to support.
By working in partnership across clinical, community and policy settings, we accelerate the translation of research into action. Our evidence informs guidelines, programs, tools and policies that prevent, manage and treat disease – improving health and wellbeing for individuals, families and communities at every life stage.
