Lenka Malek

University of Adelaide · The Centre for Global Food and Resources (GFAR)

Objective: To determine pregnant women's knowledge of and adherence to the recommendations for periconceptional folic acid supplementation (PFS) and iodine supplementation (IS). Secondary objectives include determining predictors of adherence, and identifying influential nutrition information sources. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was...

To assess dietary intake of pregnant women against the Australian Dietary Guidelines with respect to the Five Food Group recommendations and determine predictors of adherence to the recommendations. Cross-sectional web-based survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Pregnant women living in Australia. A nation...

A comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing women's dietary choices is central to motivating positive dietary behavior before, during and after pregnancy. Findings are synthesized from 34 studies which assessed modifiable individual and environmental factors influencing dietary behavior during preconception and pregnancy. Influencing f...

Background: Nutrient requirements of folate, iodine and iron increase during pregnancy, and dietary modifi cation is often required. Women often take dietary supplements to meet increased nutrient requirements and reasons for this are poorly understood. Previous studies have found that populations least at risk of poor nutrition are often the most...

In the transition to more environmentally sustainable food systems, the production and consumption of resource-intensive animal-based dairy foods (ABD) remains a talking point. Given the power of consumer choice in transforming food systems, understanding consumer priorities surrounding ABD consumption and their plant-based counterparts is fundamen...

Various plant-based protein products are being developed to meet the growing demand for healthier and more environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based sources of protein. However, insight on the heterogeneity in consumer preferences for alternative sources of protein is limited. This mixed-methods exploratory study investig...

Households are responsible for a large proportion of total food waste and are an important focal point for addressing food waste disposal issues. Determinants of household food waste minimisation behaviour have been previously explored; however, little is known about the determinants of household food waste disposal behaviour. Several food waste di...

To help meet the increased requirements for critical nutrients during and around pregnancy, supplementation with essential nutrients is recommended. This study aims to determine how the previous awareness of nutrient health benefits and/or the provision of this information influences the importance placed on nutrients (folate, iodine, omega-3 fatty...

Concerns over the impact of global meat production and consumption patterns are leading to increasing interest in alternative sources of protein. This study provides new insight into consumers’ attitudes towards different protein products and factors associated with the acceptance of lab-grown meat. We measured and compared 1078 Australian consumer...

Today's food systems are neither healthy nor sustainable, and excessive levels of meat consumption in high-income countries are part of problem. A rising number of consumers are adopting ‘flexitarian’ diets (i.e., are choosing to reduce or limit their meat consumption). There is limited insight on the meat consumption patterns of this growing popul...

Purpose To examine the market potential for lab-grown meat (LGM) in Australia by: (1) determining consumers' willingness to consume LGM; (2) exploring heterogeneity in both consumers' willingness to consume LGM and food choice values; and (3) characterizing unique consumer clusters (segments) using socio-demographic, behavioral and psychosocial fac...

Sustainability is a complex and multifaceted concept that comprises environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Growing consumer concerns over the impacts of global meat production and consumption have led to increasing interest in sustainability initiatives and the use of sustainability labels. Yet, an understanding of what sustainab...

Meat reducers are a growing but largely unexplored population subgroup in Australia. A comprehensive understanding of individual characteristics associated with meat consumption preferences can help inform strategies aimed at encouraging healthier and more environmentally sustainable food choices. Using online survey data from a nationally represen...

There are various risks associated with incorrect preparation and storage of infant formula, including microbiological hazards. Preparing and storing reconstituted infant formula correctly can reduce potential risks. The product label on infant formula is often the main source of information for caregivers on the correct handling of infant formula....

Using a discrete choice experiment, we examine pregnant women’s preferences to determine the relative importance they place on product attributes when choosing between nutritionally fortified food and beverage products, and supplement tablets. The choice experiment was included in a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire completed by 857 pregnant...

There is a growing trend of consumers in developed countries substituting alternative protein sources for meat and purchasing meat products with specific production-system related credence attributes. This study of Australian meat consumers identifies consumer segments with varying levels of willingness to make the following changes to their protei...

Objective Although breast-feeding is the recommended way to feed an infant, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is needed for infants who are not breast-fed. Labelling information on infant formula (IF) products aims to enable caregivers (who have already made the decision to use IF) to make informed product choices. Yet, there is limi...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate recent changes made by Australian consumers in their consumption of beef, chicken, pork and lamb, as well as the factors motivating both decreased and increased consumption of each type of meat. Reasons for meat-avoidance are also examined. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was c...

Objective: to increase understanding of psychosocial factors (behavioural, normative and control beliefs) motivating vitamin and mineral supplement use during pregnancy. Design: ten focus group discussions and two in-depth interviews were conducted using a script comprising questions based on study objectives. All discussions were recorded, tran...

This study aims to aid in the development of more effective healthy eating intervention strategies for pregnant women by understanding the relationship between healthy eating intention and actual eating behaviour. Specifically, the study explored whether Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs [attitude, subjective-norm, perceived-behavioural-...

While public concern over the welfare of farm animals is believed to have intensified across Australia in recent years, no empirical research has sought to examine and quantify the heterogeneity in farm animal-welfare (FAW) concerns among Australian meat consumers. The present study is the first to address this knowledge gap. Data were collected in...

Background: Little is known of healthcare providers' awareness and implementation of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation regarding iodine supplementation during pre-conception, pregnancy and lactation. Aim: To assess knowledge and practices of Australian healthcare providers in relation to the National Health and Me...

Overweight and obesity pre pregnancy or during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for maternal obstetric and fetal complications. Diet is one modifiable risk factor that women may be motivated to improve. General healthy eating guidelines, micronutrient sufficiency and macronutrient quantity and quality are important nutrition considera...

Background: This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s knowledge of and compliance with the recommendations for periconceptional folic acid supplementation (PFS) and iodine supplementation; maternal characteristics associated with compliance; and influential and preferred nutrition information sources. Method: Between June and August 2013, a re...

Background: Nutrient requirements of folate, iodine and iron increase during pregnancy, and dietary modifi cation is often required. Women often take dietary supplements to meet increased nutrient requirements and reasons for this are poorly understood. Previous studies have found that populations least at risk of poor nutrition are often the most...

Background: Nutrient requirements of folate, iodine and iron increase during pregnancy, and dietary modifi cation is often required. Women often take dietary supplements to meet increased nutrient requirements and reasons for this are poorly understood. Previous studies have found that populations least at risk of poor nutrition are often the most...