The University of Newcastle, Australia

Researchers from the University of Newcastle are recruiting 150 families for an interactive diet study that aims to assess the quality of foods consumed by Australian parents and their children.

The results will be used to develop a tool to assess the dietary intake of adults in Australia and will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between diet and health, as well as the relationship between parent and child eating habits.

Chief researcher Professor Clare Collins said the team was looking for families in the Newcastle and Hunter areas with a child or children aged between eight and 12 years.

"Our study aims to produce an accurate snapshot of the way parents and children actually eat - what types of foods they are consuming, how often they are eating on a daily basis," Dr Collins said.

Parents and carers will be required to fill in questionnaires about their family's usual food intake and physical activity levels. They will also be required to visit our research lab twice over the five month period to have body composition and health measures taken.

Adults will be asked to have a blood test at the conclusion of the study. Blood tests will not be taken from children.

"At the end of the five month study-period, families will be provided with results from their dietary intake, physical activity and general health scores. This information may help them to identify any necessary changes to ensure a healthier family lifestyle," she said.

The study is based at the University of Newcastle and is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia.

For more information on this study or to register your interest contact Ms Caitlin West.

Professor Collins and her team are members of the Hunter Medical Research Institute's (HMRI) Public Health, Mothers and Babies and Cardiovascular programs.

HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.