Dr. Paula Dworatzek

Academic Background

• Ph D, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2004
• MSc, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1997
• Dietetic Internship, University Health Network (formerly The Toronto Hospital – General Division), 1990
• BSc, Home Economics (Foods and Nutrition), Brescia University College, 1989

Teaching

• FN 4460B – Nutrition Counselling
• FN 4411F – Senior Research Project
• FN 9888A – Seminar in Food and Nutritional Sciences
• MPH 9006A – Developing Healthy Communities

Research and Scholarly Interests

• Food Skills - development and utilization of food skills questionnaire (FSQ)
• The School food environment and its impact on students eating behaviours
• Chronic disease prevention, particularly obesity and diabetes

Awards

• Dietitians of Canada, Member Recognition Award for Education (Educational Leadership), 2021
• Dietitians of Canada, Fellowship (FDC), 2018
• Brescia University College, Research Award of Excellence, 2018
• Brescia University College, Campus Collaboration Award for FRESH, 2017
• Dietitians of Canada, Member Recognition Award for Education, 2016
• Dean’s Honor Roll of Teaching, Awarded by the Academic Dean, Brescia University College, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• George Beaton Award for Best Public Health Nutrition Abstract, Canadian Nutrition Society, 2014
• Canadian Nutrition Society Annual Conference, 1st Place Poster Award, 2014
• Honorable Mention Award for the Most Innovative Nutrition and Wellness Program (FRESH) in a North American post-secondary institution, National Association of College and University Food Services, 2014
• Brian Dufton Memorial Manuscript Award, Awarded by the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 2003

Publications

• Neilson LJ, Macaskill LA, Luk JMH, Sharma N, Salvadori MI, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek PDN. Children’s School-Day Nutrient Intake in Ontario: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Comparing Students’ Packed Lunches from Two School Schedules. Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1966. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091966
• Laframboise N, Seabrook J, Matthews J, Dworatzek P. Sixty percent of foods advertised in grocery store flyers are not-in-line with Canada’s Food Guide. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2022;83:52–58. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2021-035
• Gan K, Tithecott C, Neilson L, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek P. Picky Eating Is Associated with Lower Nutrient Intakes from Children’s Home-Packed School Lunches. Nutrients. 2021; 13:1759. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061759
• Mahmoud S, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek PDN, Matthews JI. Using the Food Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) to evaluate a cooking intervention for university students: A pilot study. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2021;82:41-44. DOI:10.3148/cjdpr-2020-024
• Djalilvand A, Dworatzek PD, Seabrook JA, Matthews JI. Participating in faculty-supervised extracurricular experiential learning activities contributes to dietetic competency development. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2020;81(1):37-43. DOI:10.3148/cjdpr-2019-024
• Seabrook J, Dworatzek P, Matthews J. Predictors of food skills in university students. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2019;80(4):205-208. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2019-011
• Kennedy L, Kichler E, Matthews J, Seabrook J, Dworatzek P. Validity and reliability of a Food Skills Questionnaire. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2019;51(7):857-864. doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2019.02.003

This Food Skills Questionnaire is now available for use through our partnership with WORLDiscoveries, at www.foodskills.ca.

• Hawthorne DL, Neilson LJ, Macaskill LA, Luk JMH, Horner EJ, Parks CA, Salvadori MI, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek PDN. Parental Reports of Lunch-Packing Behaviours Lack Accuracy: Reported Barriers and Facilitators to Packing School Lunches. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2018;79(3):99-105.
• Biden CR, Matthews JI, Laframboise NA, Zok A, Dworatzek PDN, Seabrook JA. Point-of-purchase labels and reward cards improve sales of healthy foods in university dining halls. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2018;79(3):92-98.
• Sievenpiper J, Dworatzek P, Chan C, Freeze C, Williams S. Nutrition therapy. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S64-S79.
• Neilson LJ, Macaskill LA, Luk JMH, Sharma N, Killip SM, Salvadori MI, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek PDN. Students’ food intake from home-packed lunches in the traditional versus balanced school day. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2017;78(1):3-10. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2016-024
• Wilson CK, Matthews JI, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek PDN. Self-reported food skills of university students. Appetite. 2017;108:270-276.
• Dworatzek PDN, Stier J. Dietitians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding peer education in nutrition. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2016;77(4):170-176.
• Matthews JI, Doerr L, Dworatzek PDN. University students intend to eat better but lack coping self-efficacy and knowledge of dietary recommendations. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016;48:12-19.
• Wu TF, Macaskill LA, Salvadori MI, Dworatzek PDN. Is the balanced school day truly balanced? A review of the impacts on children, families, and school food environments. J Sch Health. 2015:85;405-410.
• Matthews J, Zok A, Quenneville E, Dworatzek PDN. Development and implementation of FRESH – A post-secondary nutrition education program incorporating population strategies, experiential learning, and intersectoral partnerships. Can J Public Health. 2014;105(4):e306-e311.
• Sievenpiper JL, Dworatzek PDN. Food and dietary pattern based recommendations: An emerging approach to clinical practice guidelines for nutrition therapy in diabetes. Can J Diabetes. 2013;37:51-57.
• Richter S, Vandervet L, Macaskill L, Salvadori M, Seabrook J, Dworatzek P. Accuracy and reliability of direct observations of home-packed lunches in elementary schools by trained nutrition students. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:1603-1607.

Professional Memberships

• Canadian Nutrition Society
• College of Dietitians of Ontario
• Dietitians of Canada
• International Federation of Home Economics
• Ontario Home Economics Association
• Canadian Public Health Association
• Ontario Public Health Association
• Canadian Diabetes Association
• Canadian Obesity Network
• Ontario Society for Nutrition Professionals in Public Health

Past Work Experience

• Canadian Diabetes Association, Director of Research Programs, 2003–2007
• The Anne Johnston Health Station, Community Health Centre Dietitian, 1992–2001 (part-time)
• York Community Services, Community Health Centre Dietitian, March 1994–Aug. 1994 (contract)
• Four Villages Community Health Centre, Dietitian, Sept. 1993 – April 1994 (contract)
• Victorian Order of Nurses, Toronto, Home-Visiting Clinical Dietitian, 1990–1993