Accredited dietitian Dr Tracy Burrows took the medicine and medical sciences category at the Scopus Awards, which she said was a huge honour and an exciting division for a dietitian to be acknowledged in.
Dr Burrows, 32, is currently looking into whether food addiction is a real condition – work which could one day change the way we treat and think about obesity.
After carrying out a survey which showed 6 per cent of adults had been diagnosed with a food addiction, the research team is trying to scientifically prove and define it.
Already undertaking some groundwork, they plan to do MRI scans to monitor people’s brains and profile what foods are being associated with food addiction.
“I’ve been taking a scientific angle to show if it is a true condition,” Dr Burrows said.
“At the moment it’s not scientifically proven. Currently we say improve your diet and increase your physical activity but this could change the way we treat obesity.”
Newcastle University’s Associate Professor David Lubans, 40, has also been honoured with the Scopus Award for Humanities and Social Sciences.
MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES: University of Newcastle academic Tracy Burrows has won a Scopus Award for her work into child obesity, dietary assessment and food addiction.
His work has centred on improving the physical activity of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
There are hopes that one of his programs – called SCORES – will be rolled out nationally because it was so successful in improving the fitness of young people.
Associate Professor Lubans said teaching for 10 years inspired him to research ways to improve the health and fitness of young people.
The Scopus Awards recognise outstanding young scientists and researchers in Australasia who have made significant contributions in a particular area.