Transdisciplinary Measurement & Evaluation Research Group (TMERG) Seminar 5 2017

The Transdisciplinary Measurement and Evaluation Research Group (TMERG) has its origins in the School of Education, and provides an avenue for discussion and research collaboration in the field of measurement and evaluation across a number of Schools and Disciplines. Colleagues and postgraduate students (doctoral and master's) in your School/Research Centres are invited to a seminar titled:

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SEMINAR 5: Identifying and Gauging Constructs Associated wih Well-Being and Optimal Nutrition

SPEAKER: Professor Dr. Javad Hosseinzadeh M.D,, PhD (Univeristy College London), PC-NM (University of Surrey, UK), visiting Professor at Royal Adelaide Hospital, UofA, Professor in Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

ABSTRACT: Foods and nutrition were classically taken into consideration for providing energy and nutrients to the body. During the past decades, exciting evidence was provided for the effects of diet on maintaining brain health, mental capacity and academic success. The outstanding role of nutrition has been recognized in different aspects of health and quality of life during the past decades.

Several studies showed that nutritional status can directly affect mental capacity and academic success. Dietary factors exert their effects on the brain by affecting molecular event systems related to the management of energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and other regions. The adequacy and type of macronutrients and many micronutrients could influence neural pathways, cognitive abilities and mental concentration. Serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems are among the major pathways influenced by nutrients. Irrespective of the distinctive role of each nutrient in cognitive function, the integrative role of dietary patterns especially high fat/high sugar diets are of importance due to changing metabolic pathways and the function of blood-brain barrier.

Interestingly in recent years the role of non-nutrient bioactive substances of foods including flavonoids and other phytochemicals has been known in neuronal signaling pathways, which lead to long-term potentiation, and consequently memory and cognitive performance. Implications for health, education and measurement are discussed.

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Javad Hosseinzadeh is currently a visiting professor at Royal Adelaide Hospital, The University of Adelaide. He is a Professor in Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. With background in Medicine (MD), he completed his PhD in clinical studies (Medicine and Nutrition) from University College London (UCL). He also has a postgraduate certificate in Nutritional Medicine from University of Surrey (UK).

Dr. Javad Hosseinzadeh is a well-educated and an expert in nutritional medicine and clinical nutrition with significant record of achievement in his field and many publications in reputed journals. His main research interests include nutrition in health and diseases, clinical nutrition, obesity and the specific role of adipose tissue in metabolic, cardiovascular and endothelial function.

Further Information: Assoc Prof. Sivakuma Algualai (TMERG coordinator) sivakumar.alagumalai@adelaide.edu.au TMERG website: http://omeka.ersa.edu.au/tmerg/

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