Diverse research expertise in the measurement of body composition, energy expenditure, physical activity, nutrition and risk factors for disease, an interest in ethnic differences in health and involvement in programmes and actions that will make a difference to health has across the lifecycle has led to over 200 publications.
The projects she is involved in include Energize in preschools and primary schools reaching more than 60000 children, the health and growth of children whose mothers’ had gestational diabetes and the longitudinal Pacific Island Family study which is tracking over 1000 Pacific children from birth.
She is a member of the Council of the Health Research Council from 2021. Elaine also serves on the Councils of a number of nutrition and obesity organisations and is the New Zealand representative for the World Obesity Federation. She has been an expert consultant for the World Health Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Nutrition and Health. She is a fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and Adjunct Professor at Munster University in Cork, Ireland.