Dr Li Kheng Chai
Honorary Research Fellow
School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Researcher biography
Dr Li Kheng Chai is a Dietitian, Research Fellow at Health and Wellbeing Queensland, and Honorary Fellow at University of Queensland, with a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics from The University of Newcastle. She is an implementation researcher with experience in public health nutrition, health promotion education, clinical dietetics practices, medical nutrition therapy, behavioural and implementation sciences, health services research, and teaching and supervision. Her current research focuses on health promotion through systems and settings based approaches to improve nutrition and physical activity, and using technology and digital solutions to develop, deliver and evaluate health promotion programs.
Dr Chai has over a decade of experience working across diverse settings - health services, academia, government, local health districts - with ongoing collaboration with research groups across Australia and internationally. She holds an honorary editorial appointment with European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and has contributed to joint publication outputs with international experts from Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Hong Kong, World Obesity Federation, and World Health Organization.
Dr Chai has been recognised through her many accolades, including the Dietitians Australia Emerging Researcher Award 2016, The University of Newcastle Alumni Excellence Awards 2021 - Beryl Young Researcher Award, Queensland Children's Hospital Precinct Early Career Researcher of the Year 2019, Queensland Health Practitioner Research Grant 2019-2021 (to trial a clinical paediatric nutrition care model) and Best Presentation at the 2020 Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society International Conference.
Book Chapter
Chai, Li Kheng, Hollis, Jenna, Collins, Clare and Demaio, Alessandro (2022). The double burden of malnutrition. Clinical obesity in adults and children. (pp. 386-393) edited by Peter G. Kopelman, Ian D. Caterson and William H. Dietz. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781119695257.ch29
Journal Articles
Wen, Hechuan, Chen, Tong, Chai, Li Kheng, Sadiq, Shazia, Gao, Junbin and Yin, Hongzhi (2024). Variational counterfactual prediction under runtime domain corruption. IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, 36 (5) 10271745, 2271-2284. doi: 10.1109/tkde.2023.3321893
Trost, Stewart G., Terranova, Caroline O., Brookes, Denise S.K., Chai, Li Kheng and Byrne, Rebecca A. (2024). Reliability and validity of rapid assessment tools for measuring 24-hour movement behaviours in children aged 0–5 years: the Movement Behaviour Questionnaire Baby (MBQ-B) and child (MBQ-C). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21 (1) 43, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12966-024-01596-5
Middleton, Georgia, Johnson, Brittany J., Dutch, Dimity, Trost, Stewart G., Byrne, Rebecca, Christian, Hayley E., Henry, Anna, Terranova, Caroline O., Williams, Kate E., Chai, Li Kheng, Brookes, Denise S. K., Simon, Kate and Golley, Rebecca K. (2024). A great way to bring up health behaviour topics at playgroup: a qualitative evaluation of the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program. BMC Public Health, 24 (1) 890, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-17703-x
Byrne, Rebecca, Terranova, Caroline O., Chai, Li Kheng, Brookes, Denise S. K. and Trost, Stewart G. (2023). Cognitive testing of items measuring movement behaviours in young children aged zero to five years: development of the Movement Behaviour Questionnaires for -Baby (MBQ-B) and -Child (MBQ-C). Children, 10 (9) 1554, 1554. doi: 10.3390/children10091554
Chai, Li Kheng, Farletti, Rebecca, Fathi, Leila and Littlewood, Robyn (2022). A rapid review of the impact of family-based digital interventions for obesity prevention and treatment on obesity-related outcomes in primary school-aged children. Nutrients, 14 (22) 4837, 1-19. doi: 10.3390/nu14224837
Wolfenden, Luke, Hawe, Penelope, Rychetnik, Lucie, Sutherland, Rachel, Barnes, Courtney, Yoong, Serene, Giles-Corti, Billie, Mitchell, Jo, Bauman, Adrian, Milat, Andrew J., Chai, Li Kheng, Mayfield, Sara, Mastersson, Nadia, Freebairn, Louise, Sacks, Gary, Wilson, Andrew, Wright, Annemarie and Wiggers, John (2022). A call to action: More collaborative implementation research is needed to prevent chronic disease. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46 (5), 549-553. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13270
Trost, Stewart G., Byrne, Rebecca, Williams, Kate E., Johnson, Brittany J., Bird, Anna, Simon, Kate, Chai, Li Kheng, Terranova, Caroline O., Christian, Hayley E. and Golley, Rebecca K. (2021). Study protocol for Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup: a multi-site cluster randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours in young children attending community playgroups. BMC Public Health, 21 (1) 1757. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11789-3
Azevedo, Liane B., Stephenson, John, Ells, Louisa, Adu‐Ntiamoah, Shirley, DeSmet, Ann, Giles, Emma L., Haste, Anna, O'Malley, Claire, Jones, Daniel, Chai, Li Kheng, Burrows, Tracy, Collins, Clare E., Grieken, Amy and Hudson, Michelle (2021). The effectiveness of e‐health interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 23 (2) e13373, e13373. doi: 10.1111/obr.13373
Yoong, Sze Lin, Hall, Alix, Leonard, Alecia, McCrabb, Sam, Wiggers, John, Tursan d'Espaignet, Edouard, Stockings, Emily, Gouda, Hebe, Fayokun, Ranti, Commar, Alison, Prasad, Vinayak M, Paul, Christine, Oldmeadow, Christopher, Chai, Li Kheng, Thompson, Bruce and Wolfenden, Luke (2021). Prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health, 6 (9), e661-e673. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00106-7
Lobstein, Tim, Neveux, Margot, Brown, Tamara, Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Clare E., Ells, Louisa J. and Nowicka, Paulina (2021). Social disparities in obesity treatment for children age 3–10 years: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 22 (2) e13153. doi: 10.1111/obr.13153
Duncanson, K., Shrewsbury, V., Burrows, T., Chai, L. K., Ashton, L., Taylor, R., Gow, M., Ho, M., Ells, L., Stewart, L., Garnett, S., Jensen, M. E., Nowicka, P., Littlewood, R., Demaio, A., Coyle, D. H., Walker, J. L. and Collins, C. E. (2021). Impact of weight management nutrition interventions on dietary outcomes in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: a systematic review with meta‐analysis. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 34 (1), 147-177. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12831
Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Clare E., May, Chris, Brown, Leanne J., Ashman, Amy and Burrows, Tracy L. (2021). Fidelity and acceptability of a family-focused technology-based telehealth nutrition intervention for child weight management. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 27 (2), 98-109. doi: 10.1177/1357633X19864819
Yang, Yive, Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Rebecca, Leary, Mark, Whatnall, Megan and Burrows, Tracy (2020). Process evaluation of a personality targeted intervention for addictive eating in Australian adults. Behavioral Sciences, 10 (12) 186, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/bs10120186
Hollis, Jenna L., Collins, Clare E., DeClerck, Fabrice, Chai, Li Kheng, McColl, Karen and Demaio, Alessandro R. (2020). Defining healthy and sustainable diets for infants, children and adolescents. Global Food Security, 27 100401, 1-47. doi: 10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100401
Yoong, Sze Lin, Lum, Melanie, Jones, Jannah, Kerr, Erin, Falkiner, Maryann, Delaney, Tessa, McCrabb, Sam, Chai, Li Kheng, Seward, Kirsty and Grady, Alice (2020). A systematic review of interventions to improve the dietary intake, physical activity and weight status of children attending family day care services. Public Health Nutrition, 23 (12), 2211-2220. doi: 10.1017/S1368980019005275
Chai, Li Kheng, Rice-McNeil, Kelly and Trost, Stewart G. (2020). Patterns and correlates of sedentary behavior in children attending family child care. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (2) 549, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17020549
Chai, Li Kheng, Yoong, Sze Lin, Bucher, Tamara, Collins, Clare E. and Shrewsbury, Vanessa A. (2019). Children’s Intake of food from non-fast-food outlets and child-specific menus: a survey of parents. Children, 6 (11) 123, 1-9. doi: 10.3390/children6110123
Chai, Li K., May, Chris, Collins, Clare E. and Burrows, Tracy L. (2019). Development of text messages targeting healthy eating for children in the context of parenting partnerships. Nutrition and Dietetics, 76 (5), 515-520. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12498
Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Clare E., May, Chris, Holder, Carl and Burrows, Tracy L. (2019). Accuracy of parent-reported child height and weight and calculated body mass index compared with objectively measured anthropometrics: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21 (9) e12532, 1-12. doi: 10.2196/12532
Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Clare, May, Chris, Brain, Katherine, Wong See, Denise and Burrows, Tracy (2019). Effectiveness of family-based weight management interventions for children with overweight and obesity: an umbrella review. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 17 (7), 1341-1427. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003695
Brain, K., Burrows, T. L., Rollo, M. E., Chai, L. K., Clarke, E. D., Hayes, C., Hodson, F. J. and Collins, C. E. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic noncancer pain. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 32 (2), 198-225. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12601
Wolfenden, Luke, Chai, Li Kheng, Jones, Jannah, McFadyen, Tameka, Hodder, Rebecca, Kingsland, Melanie, Milat, Andrew J., Nathan, Nicole, Wiggers, John and Yoong, Sze Lin (2019). What happens once a program has been implemented? A call for research investigating strategies to enhance public health program sustainability. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 43 (1), 3-4. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12867
Chai, Li Kheng, Collins, Clare E., May, Chris, Ashman, Amy, Holder, Carl, Brown, Leanne J. and Burrows, Tracy L. (2019). Feasibility and efficacy of a web-based family telehealth nutrition intervention to improve child weight status and dietary intake: a pilot randomised controlled trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 27 (3), 1-13. doi: 10.1177/1357633X19865855
Shrewsbury, Vanessa A., Burrows, Tracy, Ho, Mandy, Jensen, Megan, Garnett, Sarah P., Stewart, Laura, Gow, Megan L., Ells, Louisa J., Chai, Li Kheng, Ashton, Lee, Walker, Jacqueline L., Littlewood, Robyn, Coyle, Daisy, Nowicka, Paulina, Ashman, Amy, Demaio, Alessandro, Duncanson, Kerith and Collins, Clare (2018). Update of the best practice dietetic management of overweight and obese children and adolescents: a systematic review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 16 (7), 1495-1502. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003603
Yoong, Sze Lin, Stockings, Emily, Chai, Li Kheng, Tzelepis, Flora, Wiggers, John, Oldmeadow, Christopher, Paul, Christine, Peruga, Armando, Kingsland, Melanie, Attia, John and Wolfenden, Luke (2018). Prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among youth globally: a systematic review and meta-analysis of country level data. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 42 (3), 303-308. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12777
McFadyen, Tameka, Chai, Li Kheng, Wyse, Rebecca, Kingsland, Melanie, Yoong, Sze Lin, Clinton-McHarg, Tara, Bauman, Adrian, Wiggers, John, Rissel, Chris, Williams, Christopher Michael and Wolfenden, Luke (2018). Strategies to improve the implementation of policies, practices or programmes in sporting organisations targeting poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, risky alcohol use or tobacco use: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 8 (9) e019151, 1-14. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019151
May, Chris, Chai, Li Kheng and Burrows, Tracy (2017). Parent, partner, co-parent or partnership? The need for clarity as family systems thinking takes hold in the quest to motivate behavioural change. Children, 4 (4) 29, 29. doi: 10.3390/children4040029
Wolfenden, Luke, Milat, Andrew J., Lecathelinais, Christophe, Skelton, Eliza, Clinton-McHarg, Tara, Williams, Christopher, Wiggers, John, Chai, Li Kheng and Yoong, Sze Lin (2016). A bibliographic review of public health dissemination and implementation research output and citation rates. Preventive Medicine Reports, 4, 441-443. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.08.006
Nathan, Nicole, Yoong, Sze Lin, Sutherland, Rachel, Reilly, Kathryn, Delaney, Tessa, Janssen, Lisa, Robertson, Katie, Reynolds, Renee, Chai, Li Kheng, Lecathelinais, Christophe, Wiggers, John and Wolfenden, Luke (2016). Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to enhance implementation of a healthy canteen policy in Australian primary schools: A randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13 (1) 106, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12966-016-0431-5
Chai, Li K., Macdonald-Wicks, Lesley, Hure, Alexis J., Burrows, Tracy L., Blumfield, Michelle L., Smith, Roger and Collins, Clare E. (2016). Disparities exist between the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the dietary intakes of young children aged two to three years. Nutrition and Dietetics, 73 (4), 312-320. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12203
Chai, Li Kheng, Burrows, Tracy, May, Chris, Brain, Katherine, Wong See, Denise and Collins, Clare (2016). Effectiveness of family-based weight management interventions in childhood obesity: an umbrella review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 14 (9), 32-39. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2016-003082
Yoong, Sze Lin, Chai, Li Kheng, Williams, Christopher M., Wiggers, John, Finch, Meghan and Wolfenden, Luke (2016). Systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting sleep and their impact on child body mass index, diet, and physical activity. Obesity, 24 (5), 1140-1147. doi: 10.1002/oby.21459
Burrows, Tracy, Hutchesson, Melinda, Chai, Li Kheng, Rollo, Megan, Skinner, Geoff and Collins, Clare (2015). Nutrition interventions for prevention and management of childhood obesity: What do parents want from an ehealth program?. Nutrients, 7 (12), 10469-10479. doi: 10.3390/nu7125546
Conference Papers
Wakem, Amy, Chai, Li Kheng, Dick, Mathew, Dennis, Aidan, Murray, Clare, Uhlmann, Kora and Nalatu, Simone (2024). Pick me for kids: children's perspectives on healthy food and drink marketing in sport and recreation facilities. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.053
Murray, Clare, Farletti, Rebecca, Munro, Joanna, Harvey, Zoe, Rielly, Janine, Chai, Li Kheng and Littlewood, Robyn (2024). The development, delivery and evaluation of a health promotion campaign to drive healthy habits in families. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.031
Kheng Chai, Li, Nean, Judy, Nalatu, Simone and Littlewood, Robyn (2024). Making Healthy Happen - a whole-of-government commitment to a healthier Queensland. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.004
Walker, Jacqueline, Doring, Alice, Cotugno, Jacqueline, Farletti, Rebecca, McKinlay, Lynne, Hardt, Jessica, Campbell, Miranda, Chai, Li Kheng, Nean, Judy, Gomersall, Sjaan, Munro, Joanna and Littlewood, Robyn (2024). Developing a framework to enable clinical health promotion across the healthcare system in Queensland, Australia. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.035
I Fathi, Leila, Young, Charlotte, Cleary, Anne, Porter, David, Taylor, Danielle, Dick, Mathew, Morrison, Charlotte, Chai, Li Kheng, Nethery, Zoe, Cacavas, Katherine, Littlewood, Robyn and Robinson, Mark (2024). An evaluation of a school nutrition program to improve accessibility to and consumption of vegetables and fruit among primary school students in Queensland, Australia: From ‘What’s this?’ to ‘I grew it!’. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.010
Wen, Hechuan, Chen, Tong, Chai, Li Kheng, Sadiq, Shazia, Zheng, Kai and Yin, Hongzhi (2023). To predict or to reject: causal effect estimation with uncertainty on networked data. 23rd IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (IEEE ICDM), Shanghai, China, 1 - 4 December 2023. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/icdm58522.2023.00184
Chai, Li Kheng, Robinson, Mark, Armstrong, Dru, Abernethy, Peter, Cleary, Anne, Salom, Caroline and McDaid, Lisa (2021). Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for a preventive health agency in Queensland: a systems-based approach. Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Conference , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 20 - 22 July 2021.
Research Report
Cleary, Anne, Dick, Mathew, Chai, Li Kheng, Morrison, Charlotte, Katherine Cacavas, McCormick, Jenna, Gordon, Olivia, Inch, Hannah Zebedee, Robinson, Mark and McDaid, Lisa (2021). Health and Wellbeing Queensland Pick of the Crop evaluation plan. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland; Health and Wellbeing Queensland.