Evidence Base
Making Friends With Food™ by The Root Cause is deeply rooted in scientific evidence from peer-reviewed journals, and has been reviewed by experts.
Dr Charlotte Middleton
INTEGRATIVE GP PROVIDING expert advice to The Root Cause
Dr Charlotte Middleton is an Integrative GP, specialising in Maternity, Paediatric, Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, with over 20 years clinical practice. She is a passionate advocate for educating and empowering people to make simple swaps to improve their health.
As a consultant for The Root Cause, Dr Charlotte provides expert advice on the intricate relationship between nutrition and wellbeing. She says "while health is multifactorial in origin, I am absolutely convinced (with the science and research to back me), what we put in our mouth, is a major causative factor of health issues."
Dr Charlotte supports the Making Friends With Food™ partnership, saying it is deeply rooted in scientific evidence from peer-reviewed journals. These studies establish a robust connection between dietary choices, particularly the consumption of ultra-processed foods, and various health outcomes such as inflammation, sleep issues and chronic illness.
Equally significant is the evidence supporting the positive impact of vegetable consumption on overall health. Dr Charlotte's endorsement of the Making Friends With Food™ partnership for schools is a testament to the wealth of scientific knowledge underpinning the important connection between food and wellbeing.
Grounded In Science
supported by peer-reviewed evidence and expert advice
Making Friends With Food™ by The Root Cause is deeply rooted in scientific evidence from peer-reviewed journals.
These studies establish a robust connection between dietary choices, particularly the consumption of ultra-processed foods, and various health outcomes such as inflammation, sleep issues and chronic illness. Equally significant is the evidence supporting the positive impact of vegetable consumption on overall health.
Australia’s Professor Felice Jacka from Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre also shares significant research linking what we eat to the health of our gut, and the impact this has on mental health.
Furthermore, research such as that conducted by the Institute of Education London, has affirmed the profound impact of nutrition on individual behaviour, including concentration levels and overall activity. Such behaviours can invariably influence academic performance, peer interactions, and even self-esteem.
Integral to the Making Friends With Food™ approach is the adoption of a multicomponent intervention methodology. By combining interactive, age appropriate educational initiatives, active parental involvement, and the guidance of mentors, the program consistently increases exposure to vegetables within the school and home setting. The significance of this approach is supported by scientific evidence, as demonstrated in research like the comprehensive review of "Promoting Healthy Eating among Young People — A Review of the Evidence of the Impact of School-Based Interventions" published on Pub Med.
University of Southern Queensland Evaluation
BUILDING OUR OWN PEER-REVIEWED EVIDENCE BASE
The University of Southern Queensland are currently undertaking an independent evaluation of Making Friends With Food™ by The Root Cause.
Making Friends With Food™ (formerly known as The Children’s Health Program) is being reviewed and evaluated in the Darling Downs Region of QLD.
An interim report is expected by the June 2024 and a full report by end of Term 3, 2024. Updates will be posted here as the reports become available.
For more details on the study, contact our support team.
A fantastic, hands on and fun way for students to learn about their food.
– Teacher Evaluation, Mad Food Science Incursion
