We welcome Sue MacDonell, a New Zealand Registered Dietitian who will be teaching the MHSc (Nutrition & Dietetics). Her research interests are in the areas of older adults’ health, especially falls prevention and undernutrition. Her research has highlighted the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes and nutrient deficiencies in the New Zealand aged-care population.
Older adults generally have reduced appetites and energy requirements, which means that the nutrient density of foods is key to ensuring optimal nutritional status. She is interested in developing non-pharmaceutical nutrition interventions that address these barriers to good nutrition and provide improved health outcomes. Sue is also part of a global group investigating how nutrition assessment and care are delivered when dietitians are physically separated from their patients.