Laurie A. Wadsworth

Senior Research Professor
(902) 867-2190
lwadswor@stfx.ca

Degree: PhD, PDt, FDC

Background:
Dr. Laurie Wadsworth grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She completed a BSHEc (Bachelor of Science in Home Economics) with Distinction majoring in Dietetics and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. She worked as a freelance Home Economist with several food manufacturers and the Saskatchewan Dairy Foundation before going on to complete an MSc in Community Nutrition from the University of Manitoba where her thesis determined the validity of a photographic food record method. After working as a Public Health Nutritionist, Provincial Nutritionist and Health Promotion Consultant with Saskatchewan Health for 12 years, Laurie completed a PhD in Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. Her dissertation research dealt with a contextual analysis of food and body image messages in prime time television programs and commercials. Her practice-based communication experiences led to her becoming a Fellow of Dietitians of Canada.

Laurie arrived at StFX in 1998. In 2012 she was elected as Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors of Dietitians of Canada and serves as Chair of the 2013-2014 board. She currently sits on the Board of Past-Chair.
 

Recent Publications


Journal Publications

Cooper, M., Zalot, L., & Wadsworth, L.A. (2014). Calcium, vitamin D, iron, and folate messages in three Canadian magazines. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 75. Article first published online: 15 August. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2014-011.
 
Wadsworth, L.A., Johnson, C.P., Cameron, C., & Gaudet, M. (2012). (Re)Focusing on local food systems through service learning: Empowering pedagogy in a Human Nutrition degree program. Food, Culture and Society, 15(2), 315-334.
 
Wadsworth, L.A., McHugh, T-L., Campagna, P.D., Durant, M.A., Murphy, R.J.L., Rehman, L.A., and Thompson, M. (2012). Dietary Intake of Nova Scotia Youth in Grade 7 and Grade 11. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.73(1), 14-20.
 

Book Contributions

Kolen-Thompson, A.M., Wadsworth, L.A., Wang, X., van Bommel, C.M., & Terrio, C.A. (2013). Measuring physical activity in children and youth: Learning from experience. In. P. S. de Brito Andre, & H. Varnum (eds.). Accelerometers: Principles, structure and applications. Nova Science Publishers, (ebook) p. 245-269
 
Wadsworth, L.A.  (In Press). Magazine and newspaper advertising.   In Albala, K. (ed.) Food Issues Encyclopedia, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
 
Wadsworth, L.A.  (In Press). Television advertising.   In Albala, K. (ed.) Food Issues Encyclopedia, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

 

Knowledge Translation Resources

Wadsworth, L.A., Johnson, C.P., Cameron, C., & Gaudet, M. (2013). Using Service Learning and Community Partnerships to focus on local food systems. IN  A.H. Harmon, Teaching Food Systems and Sustainability in Nutrition Education and Dietetic Training: Lessons for educators. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, Chicago, IL.
 

Technical Reports

Thompson, A.M. and Wadsworth, L.A.(June, 2012). Keeping Pace: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Among Children and Youth, Key Findings from the 2009-2010 Study. Government of Nova Scotia.
 

Poster and Oral Conference Presentations (peer-reviewed)

O’Flaherty, E., Wadsworth, L.A., & Cooper, M.J. (2014).  What was on sale this week? An in-depth analysis of grocery store flyers and what is being promoted. Dietitians of Canada Annual Conference, Ottawa, ON, June 12-14, 2014.
 
Kolen, A.M., Wadsworth, L.A., Arthur, M.A., Murton, M., & Wang, X. (2013). Keeping Pace: Influencing policy through surveillance. Active Living Research annual Conference, San Diego, CA, February 26-28, 2013.
 
Wadsworth, L.A., Thompson, A.M., Wang, X., Arthur, M., & Murton, M. (2012). Food insecurity in Nova Scotia youth. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Washington, DC, July 14-17, 2012.
 
Pereyma, M., & Wadsworth, L.A. (2012). Consuming Sex and the City: Food, confession and metaphor.          Joint meeting of Association for Study of Food and Society, Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society, and Society for Anthropology of Food and Nutrition, New York, NY, June 20-24, 2012. (co-presented)
 
van Bommel, C.M., Thompson, A.M., Wadsworth, L.A., & Wang, X. (2012). Keeping Pace: The 2009 Survey of physical activity and dietary intake of Nova Scotia children and youth. 40th Annual Meeting of the Statistical Society of Canada, Guelph, ON, June 3-6, 2012.


Book Chapters

Kolen-Thompson, A.M., Wadsworth, L.A., Wang, X., van Bommel, C.M., & Terrio, C.A. (2013). Measuring physical activity in children and youth: Learning from experience. In. P. S. de Brito Andre, & H. Varnum (eds.). Accelerometers: Principles, structure and applications. Nova Science Publishers, (ebook) p. 245-269.

Research Interests

  •  Examination of nutrition and health messages in print, broadcast and social media
  •  Investigation of the meaning of food to nutrition professionals
  •  Food intake and dietary behaviours of children & youth
  •  Use of qualitative research methods in dietetic research

Laurie’s research investigates health messages in the mass media and how these messages may affect food choice behaviours and policy development. She is fascinated by research questions that deal with the determinants of food choice behaviour (why did I eat that?) and the role of agenda setting and advocacy in the development of healthy public policy and building community capacity. Students in some of her courses have taken advantage of community service learning opportunities, many of which have focused on building local food security. Another major research activity has been the Keeping Pace project, which relates to physical activity levels and dietary intake of children and youth living in Nova Scotia.