Carolyn Watts

Carolyn Watts has a broad range of experience in the areas of public health, qualitative research, strategic planning and consultation – with a wide range of groups in the nutrition and physical activity sector. From March 2001 to December 2004 she worked as the National Health Promotion Manager for the Cancer Society of New Zealand where she was in charge of health promotion strategic planning and research. During this time, she was also Chairperson of Agencies for Nutrition Action.

Carolyn's previous jobs have included public health research and monitoring/reporting for the Ministry of Health. In this position Carolyn was responsible for reviewing the evidence and reporting on the state of New Zealanders' health particularly with respect to chronic diseases, nutrition and physical activity. Carolyn managed the development and pre-testing of methods for the 2003 National Children's Nutrition Survey, which included the assessment of physical activity in children.

Carolyn has been involved with many research projects focused on nutrition and physical activity and chronic disease prevention, including managing the Cancer Society input to the combined study of New Zealanders' physical activity and nutrition undertaken by Sport and Recreation NZ (SPARC) and the Cancer Society.

Carolyn works part time at the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington as a Lecturer in Health Promotion. She teaches the Certificate in Health Promotion and is also involved in Department research.