PhD Candidate
BComm, Grad Dip Coaching, BSc (Hons)
Liz is a current Doctor of Philosophy candidate within the School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science) at The University of Western Australia (UWA). Liz also has a Bachelor of Science with Honours (Psychology) from UWA, and a Graduate Diploma in Health and Lifestyle Coaching from Curtin University.
Liz has a broad background in applied health psychology with specific research interests in childhood obesity and LGBTIQ health. Liz is employed at the Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital and has an interest in supporting the mental health of gender diverse young people and their families.
Liz’s current PHD research is focused on how motivation may impact children with a clinical level of childhood obesity. Her research is based at the Perth Children’s Hospital within the Paediatric Consultation Liaison Program and the Healthy Weight Service. Liz’s research aims to understand how motivation may impact the families attending the service and the role this may play in both short and long-term weight loss.
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Publications
March 2024
Reidentification with Birth-Registered Sex in a Western Australian Pediatric Gender Clinic Cohort
Some young people who identify as transgender and seek gender-affirming medical care subsequently reidentify with their sex registered at birth. Evidence regarding the frequency and characteristics of this experience is lacking.
Published research Gender Diversity Youth Mental HealthOctober 2023The Right Advice, from the Right Person, in the Right Way: Non-Engaged Consumer Families’ Preferences for Lifestyle Intervention Design Relating to Severe Obesity in Childhood
Family-based lifestyle interventions for children/adolescents with severe levels of obesity are numerous, but evidence indicates programs fail to elicit short- or longer-term weight loss outcomes. Families with lived experience can provide valuable insight as we strive to improve outcomes from programs. Our aim was to explore elements that families desired in a program designed to treat severe levels of obesity in young people.
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Early Childhood Development ORIGINS Diabetes and Obesity Psychology of Active, Healthy Living Child and adolescent healthJun 2023‘It’s been a lifelong thing for me’: parents’ experiences of facilitating a healthy lifestyle for their children with severe obesity
For parents and guardians, assisting children/adolescents with severe obesity to lose weight is often a key objective but a complex and difficult challenge. Our aim in this study was to explore parents' (and guardians') perspectives on the challenges they have faced in assisting their children/adolescents with severe obesity to lead a healthy lifestyle.
ORIGINS Diabetes and Obesity Subsite: ORIGINS Project Psychology of Active, Healthy Living -
Education and Qualifications
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Awards/Honours
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Active Collaborations