Leading nutrition expert Associate Professor Clare Collins has been recognised for her outstanding work in the field, being awarded the prestigious status of Fellow of the Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA).

Associate Professor Collins, from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle, is one of Australia's leading academic dieticians and well known for her research into childhood obesity.

Over her 16 year career in research, she has published more than 30 scientific papers across a number of international journals. Associate Professor Collins has also been a consultant to Network Ten's The Biggest Loser program since the series began in Australia.

The appointment as a Fellow of the DAA acknowledges her efforts in developing overweight and obesity practice guidelines for Australian dieticians and her ongoing promotion of healthy living strategies.