Distinguished Visitors

Tuesday 29 May 2012: Assistant Prof Eddie McCann, Trinity College, Dublin

Title of Presentation: 'LGBT Minds: Issues in Mental Health'

Where: Building 33/Room G.14, Rockhampton Campus (ISL links to other campuses)

Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm

Abstract: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people face discrimination similar to other marginalized groups in society. Although being LGBT is no longer considered ‘pathological,’ studies demonstrate that LGBT people experience more psychological distress than heterosexual people and are at greater risk of mental health problems. Mental health practitioners may need to develop a better understanding of the relationship between sexual orientation and mental distress in order to be in a position to identify vulnerable individuals and promote mental health among an already marginalized group of people. Gaps in knowledge remain around the experiences of LGBT people and Irish mental health services despite recommendations by LGBT groups. The approach used in the study was an exploratory design utilizing mixed methods. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The overall aim of the research was to explore Irish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people’s experiences of mental health service provision in the Republic of Ireland. The objectives were to identify LGBT-related experiences of mental health service use including barriers and opportunities, to highlight service gaps and to identify good practice in addressing the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT people. The findings will contribute to the development of a national policy framework for LGBT people that will promote positive mental health and full participation and inclusion in Irish society.

Bio: Dr Eddie McCann RN RPN MSc PhD FHEA, Assistant Professor, Trinity College, Dublin, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Executive Member of the Irish Institute of Mental Health Nursing. His research interests include sexualities, service user and carer’s views on holistic health provision, social disadvantage, and the development of psychological and social elements of health care delivery. He is currently exploring human sexualities and psychosocial issues as part of a recently awarded Trinity Research Fellowship.

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Friday 10 June 2011: Assoc Prof Stewart Trost, Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Oregon State University (USA)

Title of presentation: ‘Family Day Care: An overlooked setting to prevent childhood obesity?'

Where: Building 33/Room G. 22, Rockhampton Campus (ISL links to other campuses)

Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Abstract: Family day care, defined as a non-relative who cares for one or more children in her or his home, is one of several different types of non-parental child care. In the United States, it is estimated that just over 10% or 1.9 million children aged 5 years and under are cared for exclusively by a family day care provider. In Australia, there are over 12,000 family day care providers offering home based care for over 100,000 children. Notably, 61.9% of family day care is provided in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. This presentation will highlight some of our recent work related to documenting the nutritional and physical activity policies and practices of family day care providers. I will report the findings of a recently completed community-based intervention to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity in Family Day Care homes. I will conclude by providing an overview and sharing some initial findings from our current intervention study - Journey to a Healthy Child Care Home.

Bio: Dr Stewart Trost is an Associate Professor at the Oregon State University's (USA) Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. Whilst Dr Trost received most of his graduate and post-graduate education in the Unites State he grew up in Central Queensland (graduate of North Rockhampton High School) and worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland in Brisbane for several years. As a lead or co-investigator he received about $10,000,000 of research funds, published 10 book chapters and about 100 peer-reviewed papers. Dr Trost is a physical activity researcher with a focus on psychosocial and environmental correlates of physical activity behaviour, assessment of physical activity, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity and community/school-based promotion of physical activity. Dr Trost also has considerable teaching experience and has thought courses around the promotion and epidemiology of physical activity, paediatric exercise science, sports/exercise psychology and research methods.

Click here to access video streaming files for this presentation

23 November 2009: Dr. Katrien De Cocker, Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium

Title of presentation: ‘The use of pedometers and the ‘10,000 steps/day'-concept in the promotion of PA - The Belgian Experience'

Where: Building 33/Room G. 22, Rockhampton Campus (ISL links to other campuses)

Time: 1:00-2:00 pm

Abstract: Recent physical activity (PA) interventions using step counters or pedometers, mostly in combination with step count goals, were found to be effective outside Europe. The present studies evaluated the effectiveness of European pedometer-based interventions on the micro-, meso-, and macro-level. It was found that a 3-week individual-based intervention consisting of pedometer use, with or without cognitive and behavioural support materials, increased PA in motivated individuals. A workplace pedometer-based intervention was effective in reducing the decrease in step counts, probably caused by winter time, in already active employees. Finally, the community campaign "10,000 Steps Ghent" resulted in high levels of project awareness, a decrease in sitting time, and an increase in PA among both active and inactive individuals.