Gareth Vanderhope

BIOGRAPHY

Gareth Vanderhope is a Teaching Scholar at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM). In 2007, he graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Naturopathy and later completed a Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics from Griffith University, majoring in Public Health Nutrition. As an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) and Naturopath, Gareth has over 14 years of combined clinical experience. He has worked in numerous health areas, including Indigenous health promotion, integrative medical practice, integrative drug rehabilitation, community health and hospital-based nutrition.

An experienced health educator, Gareth has contributed to the learning of thousands of students in Australia and across the globe. His teaching focus has included nutritional medicine, dietary planning, advanced nutrition, public health nutrition, health promotion, nutrition sociology, nutritional health assessment and diagnostic techniques, lifespan nutrition and environmental health. Gareth has also developed courses in nutrition, clinical skills and health promotion. Further supporting student development, Gareth has been a clinical supervisor to final year nutrition and naturopathic students across the country. 

In addition to Gareth's clinical and teaching experience, he also has a background as a creative writer and award-winning film sound designer. Throughout his dietetic accreditation process, one certified goal was to write a children's novel that not only entertained young readers but also explored themes of nutrition and wild foods, the benefits of nature-based play, and the impact of changing environments on children's behaviour and wellbeing. His novel, "The Hills Kids", was launched in 2022. Gareth also utilises storytelling as a tool for health education and health enhancement.

Research interests include the advancement of holistic evidence-based naturopathic medicine, the impacts of diet and lifestyle on the microbiome and health, naturopathic (including diet/lifestyle) approaches to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, skin cancer, hearing loss and dementia; the therapeutic value of reading, storytelling and nature-based play for enhanced mental and physical wellbeing; the role of the arts in health enhancement, holistic evidence-based healthy weight attainment and identifying evidence to support the role of naturopathy as a valuable contributor to societal health and the Australian health system. 

Gareth is a full member of the Dietetic Association of Australia. 

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Gareth Vanderhope