Alice really enjoyed her Masters in Dietetics research project, which focused on adolescent eating behaviour, so she has jumped at the opportunity to do a PhD in the area of infant eating behaviour as part of the First Foods study.
First Food NZ Study
The First Food study is investigating the nutrition-related health of 7-9 month old infants in several centres around New Zealand. The aim of Alice's PhD project is to investigate infant appetite and weight status, and how this relates to the style of complementary feeding.
Alice hopes to gain some insight into the relationship between different complementary feeding practices and appetite self-regulation. This area of research is important because feeding practices that help infants to preserve their innate ability to self-regulate their appetite may also help reduce the risk of obesity.
Combining passions through research
As a child, Alice was obsessed with both animals (mainly dogs) and how the human body worked. Originally she wanted to be a vet, but this was replaced with a dream to study human nutrition when she discovered that she could have a career that combined her interest in human health with her love of food.
Alice is also excited to work in an area that may contribute to knowledge on obesity prevention, and she has a positive attitude towards her research:
"If you are passionate about your research and prepared to work hard, you will have every chance of success!"
Learn more about the First Foods Study
Visit the First Foods NZ study page
Alice Cox
