Serene Yoong
Biographic Data
| ID | 4786925 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Serene Yoong |
| GIVEN NAMES | Serene |
| FAMILY NAME | Yoong |
| SIGNATURE | YOONG S |
| AFFILIATIONS | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0836-017X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 35 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 35 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
‘We all need to be on the same page’
Sustained policy-driven changes to the availability and promotion of healthier food and drinks in foodservice outlets are essential to support population health over time. Limited research has explored whether why and how healthy food retail practices become easier or more challenging to maintain over time. This study aimed to explore food retailer (managers, staff, and volunteers) and implementation support practitioner (e.g. dietitians and heal…
Economic evaluation of an implementation intervention to increase outdoor free play in early childhood education
Get Outside Get Active (GOGA) is a multi-component implementation strategy (six strategies) to increase the provision of outdoor free play opportunities in early childhood education and care (ECEC). A randomized controlled trial with 84 ECECs within New South Wales, Australia found an increase of 61 min of outdoor free play opportunities per day, per service in the intervention compared with usual care at 6-months follow-up (P = .041). This study…
Sustaining healthy food retail
Healthy food retail policies are government instruments designed to encourage healthier food and drink purchases by regulating aspects of food retail settings that influence consumer purchasing behaviour. This study examined how national and jurisdictional healthy food retail policies in Australia and New Zealand conceptualise and address the long-term sustainment of healthy food retail practices. A purposive sample of government policies and acc…
Economic evaluation of the ‘Click & Crunch’ online intervention to improve healthy food purchases from Australian primary school canteens
Objective: Behavioural interventions can be delivered via online school canteens to improve healthy purchasing for students. However, no evaluations of the cost or cost effectiveness of online canteen interventions have been conducted. The objective was to conduct a cost and cost effectiveness analysis of implementing an online school canteen intervention to improve healthy purchasing. Setting: The ‘Click & Crunch’ cluster randomised controlled t…
Evaluating the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health programme in Australian early childhood education and care services
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are a recommended setting to deliver interventions improving children’s physical activity (PA). Indoor–outdoor free play, where children move freely between indoor–outdoor environments, can increase child PA. However, these programmes in ECECs are often not sustained. This study aims to assess the acceptability, feasibility, impact, adoption and cost of the Sustaining Play, Sustaining Health (SPS…
Barriers and facilitators to dissemination of non-communicable diseases research
A realist impact evaluation of a tool to strengthen equity in local government policy-making
Our study supports wider uptake of health equity impact assessments in local government policies and programs. Legislation, leadership and resources from upper-tiers of government can help increase the adoption of equity tools to reduce disparities in population health
Placing community in the driver's seat
Addressing health inequities requires both national and local-level action. In the case of COVID-19, locally-led place-based programs were instrumental in addressing vaccination inequities that resulted from implementation gaps in national and state-level universal COVID-19 vaccination programs. To prepare for future pandemics, understanding which local strategies are effective and the conditions that enable their effectiveness is crucial. We con…
Home-based interventions to promote physical activity for people living with HIV – a systematic review
Although physical activity (PA) improves the physical, mental, and social outcomes of people living with HIV (PLH), multiple barriers prevent them from exercising. In this systematic review, we investigated the effect of home-based interventions to promote physical activity (HBI) among PLH. Randomised trials and quasi-experimental studies published in English until March 2020 were sought in five databases. Independent reviewers performed data ext…
A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings are important environments to support children's physical activity (PA). In 2021, COVID-19 regulations recommended the provision of indoor-outdoor free-play programs in ECEC settings to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, resulting in an increased uptake of this practice. As the context has since changed, research suggests that ECEC services could cease the implementation of these practices. The…
Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities
Local governments have a responsibility to implement policies and programs that improve health and reduce health inequities. Local government's capacity to leverage resources, structures, processes and relationships, internally and across sectors and community, will be key to strengthening equity-oriented local government health policies and programs
Assessing the scalability of healthy eating interventions within the early childhood education and care setting
Objective: Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a recommended setting for the delivery of health eating interventions ‘at scale’ (i.e. to large numbers of childcare services) to improve child public health nutrition. Appraisal of the ‘scalability’ (suitability for delivery at scale) of interventions is recommended to guide public health decision-making. This study describes the extent to which factors required to assess scalability are re…
Exploratory analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial of a multi-strategy intervention delivered via online canteens on improving the nutritional quality of primary school students’ pre-ordere…
School canteens are a recommended setting to deliver public health nutrition strategies given their wide reach, and frequent use by children. Online canteens, where users (i.e. students or their carers) pre-order and pay for food and drinks online, represent attractive systems to deliver strategies that encourage healthier food choices. There have been few studies exploring the efficacy of public health nutrition interventions in online food orde…
Parent Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Outcomes from the Translational ‘Time for Healthy Habits’ Trial
Healthy eating and active living interventions targeting parents of young children could have benefits for both children and parents. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two remotely delivered healthy eating and active living interventions delivered at scale to parents, in increasing parent vegetable and fruit consumption (pre-specified secondary outcomes). Parents of children aged 2-6 years residing in New South Wales, Austr…
A randomised controlled trial of an implementation strategy delivered at scale to increase outdoor free play opportunities in early childhood education and care (Ecec) services
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12621000987864 ). Prospectively registered 27th July 2021, ANZCTR - Registration
School-level factors associated with the sustainment of weekly physical activity scheduled in Australian elementary schools
Further research is required to explore additional contextual-specific, and end-user appropriate factors associated with schools' sustainment of weekly PA scheduled. This will help accurately inform the development of strategies to address these determinants and support the sustainment and long-term benefits of school-based health interventions more broadly
Why We Eat the Way We Do
The way we eat has changed dramatically in only a few decades. While definitions of food culture have previously existed, a clear description of modern food culture that can be used for health promotion is lacking. In this paper, we propose a concept of food culture for application within public health, what a positive food culture looks like compared to negative elements that have dominated in developed countries and the consequences for physica…
An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework
Objective: To highlight opportunities for future nutrition intervention research within early childhood and education care (ECEC) settings, with a focus on generating evidence that has applicability to real-world policy and practice. Methods: An overview of opportunities to progress the field was developed by the authors using a collaborative writing approach and informed by recent research in the field. The group developed a list of recommendati…
Changing landscape of nutrition and dietetics research? A bibliographic analysis of top-tier published research in 1998 and 2018
Objective: The current study sought to describe and compare study type, research design and translation phase of published research in nutrition and dietetic journals in 1998 and 2018. Design: This was a repeat cross-sectional bibliographic analysis of Nutrition and Dietetics research. All eligible studies in the top eight Nutrition and Dietetics indexed journals in 1998 and 2018 were included. Two independent reviewers coded each study for resea…
Selecting Review Outcomes for Systematic Reviews of Public Health Interventions
For systematic reviews to have an impact on public health, they must report outcomes that are important for decision-making. Systematic reviews of public health interventions, however, have a range of potential end users, and identifying and prioritizing the most important and relevant outcomes represents a considerable challenge. In this commentary, we describe potentially useful approaches that systematic review teams can use to identify review…
Translation of two healthy eating and active living support programs for parents of 2–6 year old children
UTN: U1111-1228-9748, ACTRN: 12619000396123p
Adaptation, acceptability and feasibility of a Short Food Survey to assess the dietary intake of children during attendance at childcare
Objective: To (i) describe the adaptation of the Short Food Survey (SFS) for assessing the dietary intake of children (2–5 years) during attendance at Early Childhood Education and Care (SFS-ECEC); (ii) determine the acceptability and feasibility of the SFS-ECEC; and (iii) compare the SFS-ECEC to direct observations for assessing dietary intake of children in care. Design: The adapted forty-seven-item SFS-ECEC was completed by childcare educators…
A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children’s lunchboxes
Objective: The present study describes the energy content of primary-school children’s lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Mean kilojoule content, number of items and categorisation of foods and drinks in lunchboxes as ‘everyday’ (healthy) or discretionary (sometimes) foods we…
Children’s Intake of Food from Non-Fast-Food Outlets and Child-Specific Menus
Eating out-of-home is associated with higher energy intakes in children. The continued high prevalence of childhood obesity requires a greater understanding of child menu options and eating out frequency to inform appropriate regulatory initiatives. The majority of studies to date have focused on menus from fast-food outlets with few focused on non-fast-food outlets. This study aimed to describe parents' reports of their child(ren)'s (aged up to …
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity of Preschool-Aged Children Attending Early Childhood Education and Care
The use of 'Energisers,' short bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), have been shown to significantly increase children's physical activity within the school setting but not within Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centres. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of an intervention involving the provision of educator-led daily Energisers to increase the time children spend in MVPA while attending ECEC. Fourteen E…
Validity of a measure to assess healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices in Australian childcare services
The study found that Nominated Supervisors and Room Leaders were able to accurately report on a number of healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices. Items assessing healthy eating practices tended to have higher kappa scores than those assessing physical activity related policies or practices. The tool represents a useful instrument for public health researchers and policy makers working in this setting
A randomised controlled trial of multiple periods of outdoor free-play to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among 3 to 6 year old children attending childcare
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 12616000347460 . Prospectively registered 17th March 2016
Economic analysis of three interventions of different intensity in improving school implementation of a government healthy canteen policy in Australia
The results indicate that while the cost profiles of the interventions varied substantially, the cost-effectiveness did not. This result is valuable to policy makers seeking cost-effective solutions that can be delivered within budget
Scale up of a multi-strategic intervention to increase implementation of a school healthy canteen policy
This study found school canteen compliance with a healthy food policy increased in association with a multi-strategy intervention delivered at scale. The study provides evidence for public health policy makers and practitioners regarding strategies and modes of support required to support improvement in nutrition policy implementation across entire populations of schools
Availability of food and beverage items on school canteen menus and association with items purchased by children of primary-school age
Objective To (i) describe the proportion of foods and beverages available on school canteen menus classified as having high (‘green’), moderate (‘amber’) or low (‘red’) nutritional value; (ii) describe the proportion of these items purchased by students; and (iii) examine the association between food and beverage availability on school canteen menus and food and beverage purchasing by students. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted as part…
Improving the implementation of nutrition guidelines in childcare centres improves child dietary intake
Objective Evidence suggests that improvements to the childcare nutrition environment can have a positive impact on child dietary intake. The primary aim of the present study was to assess, relative to usual care, the effectiveness of a multi-strategy implementation intervention in improving childcare compliance with nutrition guidelines. As a secondary aim, the impact on child dietary intake was assessed. Design Parallel-group, randomised control…
Association of parental investment of time and cost in food provisioning with adherence to dietary guidelines for the consumption of fruits, vegetables and non-core foods in pre-schoolers
Objective To assess whether parent-reported time and cost for provision of food is associated with consumption of fruits, vegetables and non-core foods in pre-schoolers. Design Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Healthy Habits randomised controlled trial. Two subscales of the Children’s Dietary Questionnaire (CDQ) were used to assess fruit and vegetable, and non-core food consumption. Setting Thirty pre-schools in the Hunter Regio…
Assessing the potential impact of a front-of-pack nutritional rating system on food availability in school canteens
Children’s Intake of Food from Non-Fast-Food Outlets and Child-Specific Menus
Eating out-of-home is associated with higher energy intakes in children. The continued high prevalence of childhood obesity requires a greater understanding of child menu options and eating out frequency to inform appropriate regulatory initiatives. The majority of studies to date have focused on menus from fast-food outlets with few focused on non-fast-food outlets. This study aimed to describe parents' reports of their child(ren)'s (aged up to …
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity of Preschool-Aged Children Attending Early Childhood Education and Care
The use of 'Energisers,' short bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), have been shown to significantly increase children's physical activity within the school setting but not within Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centres. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of an intervention involving the provision of educator-led daily Energisers to increase the time children spend in MVPA while attending ECEC. Fourteen E…
Protocol for an effectiveness- implementation hybrid trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an m-health intervention to decrease the consumption of discretionary foods packed in s…
Australian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN:12618001731280 registered on 17/10/2018. Protocol Version 1
A cross-sectional study of the nutritional quality of student canteen purchases from New South Wales primary-school canteens
Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of student canteen purchases at recess and lunch, including: (i) the mean energy (kilojoules), saturated fat (grams), total sugar (grams) and Na (milligrams) and percentage of energy from saturated fat and total sugar; and (ii) the proportion and types of foods purchased that are healthier (green) and less healthy (amber/red) according to a state school canteen policy. Design: A cross-sectional study o…
Translation of two healthy eating and active living support programs for parents of 2–6 year old children
UTN: U1111-1228-9748, ACTRN: 12619000396123p
Adaptation, acceptability and feasibility of a Short Food Survey to assess the dietary intake of children during attendance at childcare
Objective: To (i) describe the adaptation of the Short Food Survey (SFS) for assessing the dietary intake of children (2–5 years) during attendance at Early Childhood Education and Care (SFS-ECEC); (ii) determine the acceptability and feasibility of the SFS-ECEC; and (iii) compare the SFS-ECEC to direct observations for assessing dietary intake of children in care. Design: The adapted forty-seven-item SFS-ECEC was completed by childcare educators…
A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children’s lunchboxes
Objective: The present study describes the energy content of primary-school children’s lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Mean kilojoule content, number of items and categorisation of foods and drinks in lunchboxes as ‘everyday’ (healthy) or discretionary (sometimes) foods we…
Why We Eat the Way We Do
The way we eat has changed dramatically in only a few decades. While definitions of food culture have previously existed, a clear description of modern food culture that can be used for health promotion is lacking. In this paper, we propose a concept of food culture for application within public health, what a positive food culture looks like compared to negative elements that have dominated in developed countries and the consequences for physica…
An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework
Objective: To highlight opportunities for future nutrition intervention research within early childhood and education care (ECEC) settings, with a focus on generating evidence that has applicability to real-world policy and practice. Methods: An overview of opportunities to progress the field was developed by the authors using a collaborative writing approach and informed by recent research in the field. The group developed a list of recommendati…
Changing landscape of nutrition and dietetics research? A bibliographic analysis of top-tier published research in 1998 and 2018
Objective: The current study sought to describe and compare study type, research design and translation phase of published research in nutrition and dietetic journals in 1998 and 2018. Design: This was a repeat cross-sectional bibliographic analysis of Nutrition and Dietetics research. All eligible studies in the top eight Nutrition and Dietetics indexed journals in 1998 and 2018 were included. Two independent reviewers coded each study for resea…
Selecting Review Outcomes for Systematic Reviews of Public Health Interventions
For systematic reviews to have an impact on public health, they must report outcomes that are important for decision-making. Systematic reviews of public health interventions, however, have a range of potential end users, and identifying and prioritizing the most important and relevant outcomes represents a considerable challenge. In this commentary, we describe potentially useful approaches that systematic review teams can use to identify review…
Parent Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Outcomes from the Translational ‘Time for Healthy Habits’ Trial
Healthy eating and active living interventions targeting parents of young children could have benefits for both children and parents. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two remotely delivered healthy eating and active living interventions delivered at scale to parents, in increasing parent vegetable and fruit consumption (pre-specified secondary outcomes). Parents of children aged 2-6 years residing in New South Wales, Austr…
A randomised controlled trial of an implementation strategy delivered at scale to increase outdoor free play opportunities in early childhood education and care (Ecec) services
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12621000987864 ). Prospectively registered 27th July 2021, ANZCTR - Registration
School-level factors associated with the sustainment of weekly physical activity scheduled in Australian elementary schools
Further research is required to explore additional contextual-specific, and end-user appropriate factors associated with schools' sustainment of weekly PA scheduled. This will help accurately inform the development of strategies to address these determinants and support the sustainment and long-term benefits of school-based health interventions more broadly
Home-based interventions to promote physical activity for people living with HIV – a systematic review
Although physical activity (PA) improves the physical, mental, and social outcomes of people living with HIV (PLH), multiple barriers prevent them from exercising. In this systematic review, we investigated the effect of home-based interventions to promote physical activity (HBI) among PLH. Randomised trials and quasi-experimental studies published in English until March 2020 were sought in five databases. Independent reviewers performed data ext…
A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Increase the Sustainment of an Indoor–Outdoor-Free-Play Program in Early Childhood Education and Care Services
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings are important environments to support children's physical activity (PA). In 2021, COVID-19 regulations recommended the provision of indoor-outdoor free-play programs in ECEC settings to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, resulting in an increased uptake of this practice. As the context has since changed, research suggests that ECEC services could cease the implementation of these practices. The…
Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities
Local governments have a responsibility to implement policies and programs that improve health and reduce health inequities. Local government's capacity to leverage resources, structures, processes and relationships, internally and across sectors and community, will be key to strengthening equity-oriented local government health policies and programs
Medicine (27 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (22 works) · Nursing (17 works) · Environmental health (16 works) · Public health (14 works) · Psychology (13 works) · Randomized controlled trial (13 works) · Psychological intervention (10 works) · Business (9 works) · Intervention (counseling (9 works)