Karen Davison, PhD, RD
The core of my research is the nutrition-related and socio-economic determinants of mental health. I am particularly interested in the effects of food insecurity on psychological functioning, mental illness and addiction. I am also curious about "addiction-like” behaviors related to foods and their association with conditions such as obesity, depression, and substance abuse. My current research activities include the use of Canadian Community Health Survey data to examine how food insecurity relates to nutrient intakes and general mental health, an analysis of food insecurity and its relationship to depressive and manic symptoms in individuals with mood disorders, and an investigation of the relationships of body weight and psychiatric medication use. In addition to these core initiatives, I am involved in projects that examine sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in school-aged children of the Northwest Territories and a review of dietetics practice in mental health.
Contact Information
University of British Columbia
School of Nursing
Critical Research in Health and Health Care Inequities (CRiHHI) Unit
T201 2211 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5
Email: Karen.Davison@nursing.ubc.ca
Academic Information
2011: Postdoctoral Fellow
University of British Columbia
School of Nursing
Selected Publications
- Davison KM, Kaplan BJ (under review). Food intake and blood cholesterol levels of community-based adults with mood disorders: Further support for the protective effect of good nutrition. BMC Psychiatry.
- Davison KM, Kaplan BJ (under review). An Assessment of Vitamin and Mineral Intakes in Adults with Mood Disorders. Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
- Davison KM, Kaplan BJ (in press for 2012). Nutrient intakes are correlated with overall psychiatric functioning in adults with mood disorders. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
- Piggott K, Davison KM (in press). Discussion Paper #9: Healthy and Safe Food For All: Towards a National Food Policy. Montreal: Peoples Food Policy Project.
- Piggott K, Davison KM (2011). Healthy and Safe Food For All. In: Resetting the Table: A People’s Food Policy for Canada. Montreal: Peoples Food Policy Project.
- Abercrombie D, Davison KM (2011). Examination of Obesity Prevention Programs Using the ANGELO Framework. Yellowknife: Government of the Northwest Territories.
- Davison KM (2011). Building Healthy Food Environments: A Review of the Northwest Territories’ Healthy Foods in Facilities Guidelines. Yellowknife: Government of the Northwest Territories.
- Davison KM, Miller S (2011). What’s on the Menu? A Review of Nutrition and Food Services in Government of the Northwest Territories’ Facilities that Provide Accommodation. Yellowknife: Government of the Northwest Territories.
Selected Abstracts and Presentations
- Davison KM, Kaplan BJ (2010). An Assessment of Micronutrient Status in Adults with Mood Disorders. American Dietetic Association, Food and Nutrition Exposition, Boston, MA.
- Petrala P, Walsh AM, Davison KM (2009). Food Security in Fraser Region (panelist). British Columbia Healthy Living Alliance Fraser Region – Regional Gathering, Coquitlam, BC.
- Davison KM, Golder M (2009). Pending/New Regulations for Adult Care: Audits and More for Facilities with more than 25 persons in care / Meals and More for Facilities with fewer than 25 persons in care. Dietitians of Canada - BC Spring Regional Conference.
- Davison KM (2009). Meals and More: Community Care Facilities Licensing Workshop. Vancouver Coastal Health, North Vancouver, BC.
- Davison KM (2009). Auditing of Nutrition and Food Service in Residential Care. Gerontology Nutrition Society, Richmond, BC, and Vancouver Coastal Health, North Vancouver.
- Davison KM (2009). A Method for Using Nutrition Survey Data and the Dietary Reference Intakes to Develop a Computerized Nutrient Analysis of Menu Audit. American Dietetic Association, Food and Nutrition Exposition, Denver, CO.
Other Pursuits and Interests
I have worked as a registered dietitian for several years in clinical, community-based, and administrative roles. I currently facilitate courses in nutrition, food theory, food services management as well as health and human studies. My favourite pastime is being with my 3 wonderful children and husband. I also enjoy swimming, music, cooking and hiking.
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