Meaningful research.
Mighty impact.

The Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) is a world-leading, multidisciplinary research institute. We’re focused on the role of active living, sport, food and nutrition to create healthy, thriving communities, and to reduce the rates of chronic health conditions.

INFANT

A world-renowned program helping families with healthy eating, active play and reduced screen time from the start of their baby’s life.

TransformUs

IPAN is the home of TransformUs, a world-first program making it easy for schools to create active learning environments for better student engagement, learning and health outcomes.

Celebrating 10 years as a research institute

Quality research in active living, sport, food and nutrition is vital for healthy and vibrant communities. Discover how our research is making a difference.

Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle & Diabetes Centre for Sport Research

Our research domains

Research

Biology of health and disease

Understanding how the biological mechanisms behind exercise and nutrition work, and how they impact on health.

Preventing and managing chronic conditions

Developing and implementing lifestyle-based solutions to prevent and manage chronic conditions.

Healthy active living

Real-world solutions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in the community.

Food, nutrition and health

Developing quality evidence and using it to tackle the diverse range of food and nutrition issues in our community.

Research

Latest news

More news

2026 Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

We're searching for the next generation of research stars to come and join our world-class research team.

Institute newsMay 27, 2025

Thriving research partnerships recognised

Celebrating the wonderful research collaborations that are making an impact on health outcomes.

Institute newsMay 15, 2025

Older hunched man sits on park bench in deserted park.

Why do some people get a curved back as they age and what can I do to avoid it?

Here's what to know if you're worried about your back curving as you age. Dr Jakub Mesinovich and A/Prof David Scott explain in an article for The Conversation.

BlogMay 7, 2025