International Visiting Scholar Research Presentation

 Dr. Tony Okley

Professor, University of Wollongong, Australia

 

Stealth interventions to promote physical activity and reduce prolonged sitting in children

 

Date: Thursday, January 25

Time: 1-2pm

Location: Room 319, Public Health Research Center

Professor Anthony Okely is Director of the Early Start Research Institute at the University of Wollongong, Australia and Theme Leader in the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute. He has been awarded over $10 Million in competitive funding, including being Principal Investigator on two National Health and Medical Research Council Project grants. He has published over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles, four book chapters, and four policy-related monographs or reports; has around 8,000 career citations, and his h-index is 49.

Okely’s research focuses on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and gross motor skills in children. It encompasses observational studies that describe the prevalence and patterns of these behaviors; relationships with health, education, and other developmental outcomes; interventions; and guideline development.

Okely led the research team that developed – and are currently updating – the Australian Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0-5 years, and the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for Children and Young People and was an international expert on the Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for the Early Years, the Canadian 24-hr Integrated Movement Guidelines for the Early Years and for Children and Youth, and the Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for Canadian Children and Youth.