ACBRD at the 2025 Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) conference
At the beginning of February, ACBRD Research Fellow Dr Eloise Litterbach, attended the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM) 2025 conference. It was held at Southern Cross University on stunning Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Country (Gold Coast), Australia. This annual 3-day conference brings together experts across Australasia, to discuss the latest in behavioural health and medicine research. In a welcoming and supportive environment, researchers shared their work focused on improving health and wellbeing.
The first day kicked off with a thought-provoking talk by Professor Christina Pollard from Curtin University. Christina reminded us that the food we eat and how much physical activity we get is not always a choice. She explained that our knowledge, skills, and access to resources (like food and walking paths) is shaped by bigger social, environmental and political systems. She urged researchers to work together with the communities they aim to help. To push for change in government policies to reduce health inequalities. Christina shared a powerful message about the need for systemic change to support better health for all.
Next, Eloise presented her research exploring the role of family meals for healthy living after gestational diabetes. Family meals are an opportunity for families to share meals and connect, and for parents to role model healthy eating. Mothers in her study worked with Eloise to develop positive messages to support healthy family mealtimes. These messages were designed to normalise different ways of enjoying family meals, without setting unrealistic expectations. More results from this study coming soon.
On the second day, we heard from Professor Antonia Lyons from the University of Auckland. She spoke about the huge influence of digital marketing on young people’s health. What we see online, especially through social media, can affect what we eat, drink, and how we feel. It was a powerful reminder of the challenges to health we face in the digital age. Digital marketing is also an opportunity for increased health promotion.
Later, researchers from Southern Cross University and Deakin University (Christian Swann, Melanie Clarke, Scott Goddard, and Megan Teychenne) shared insights into a new way of setting health goals. Goal setting is a commonly used strategy in diabetes care and education. Often this involves setting ‘SMART Goals’ which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. E.g., “I will take a 5km walk every day this week”. A new approach to health goals is called Open Goals. Open Goals allow for more flexibility and focus on the process rather than the outcome. E.g., “I will see how far and how many days I can walk this week”. Open goals may be less likely to cause feelings of pressure or failure. This approach could be especially helpful for people who are at risk of mental health challenges.
On the final day, A/Professor James Kirby from the University of Queensland spoke about self-compassion. He discussed how showing compassion to ourselves can reduce feelings of shame and self-blame, which are common in people with diabetes. For more information about self-compassion and diabetes read our blog.
Overall, the ASBHM 2025 conference was a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts, reconnect with colleagues, and make new friends in the field of behavioural health and medicine. It was inspiring to see so many brilliant people working together to create positive change in health and wellbeing.
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