Paul Veugelers
I received training in human nutrition (MSc from the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands), epidemiology (PhD from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and biostatistical modeling (postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia).
In 1998, I immigrated to Canada to join the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University, Halifax. In July of 2004, I took a position at the University of Alberta where I am currently a professor in the School of Public Health.
I received a Canada Institutes for Health Research New Investigator Award and currently hold a Canada Research Chair in Population Health and an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Scholar Award in support of his academic research program. Within this program, I study the importance of nutrition, healthy lifestyle, socio-economic factors, intervention programs and policies in relation to overweight and chronic diseases.
The overarching objective of the research is to advise on and direct new health policies and population intervention programs to prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life.
I direct the Population Health Intervention Research Unit in the School of Public Health. Initiatives within this unit include evaluations of the implementation of comprehensive school health programs:
- the Annapolis Valley Health Promoting Schools program
- the Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy Eating in Schools (APPLE Schools)
- evaluations of school nutrition policies in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Alberta - Raising healthy Eating and Active Living Kids Alberta (REAL Kids Alberta).
Degrees
PDF, University of British Columbia, 2007
PhD, University of Amsterdam, 1996
MSc, University of Wageningen, 1988
Awards
Canada Research Chair in Population Health, Canada Research Chairs, 2006-2011
Health Scholar, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, 2007-2014
New Investigator, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2000-2005
Selected Publications
S. Kuhle, S. Kirk, A. Ohinmaa, A.C. Allen, P.J. Veugelers. Use of health services among overweight and obese Canadian children. April 2010, accepted for publication in the International Journal for Paediatric Obesity.
A. Simen-Kapeu, P.J. Veugelers. Should public health interventions aimed at reducing childhood overweight and obesity be gender-focused? BMC Public Health 2010; 10:340.
T. Liang, S. Kuhle, P.J. Veugelers. Nutrition and body weights of Canadian children watching TV and eating while watching TV. Public Health Nutrition 2009; 12(12): 2457-2463.
S.B. Austin, J. Haines, P.J. Veugelers. Body Satisfaction and Body Weight in Children. Gender Differences and Sociodemongraphic Determinants. BMC Public Health 2009; 27;9:313.
F. Wang, P.J. Veugelers. Self-esteem and cognitive development in the era of the childhood obesity epidemic. Obesity Reviews 2008; 9:615-623.
Current Projects
Assessing the impact of healthy eating and physical activity policies on school based practices and health and health behaviours of children in Nova Scotia
Principal Investigator
funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research
Economic evaluation of a school-based program for the prevention of obesity
Principal Investigator
funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Population Health Initiative
A comprehensive evaluation of nutrition policies in Prince Edward Island elementary schools
Principal Investigator
funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
APPLE Schools - Making the healthy choice the easy choice
Principal Investigator
Funded by a private donor