Academic Profile
Head of Discipline, Associate Professor and Academic coordinator: 4th year BSc Dietetics and Human Nutrition

 

Professional Registration
Registered dietitian: Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA): DT 000 5550

 

Current Teaching /Courses

• DIET420 (Research project in Dietetics and Human Nutrition) 
• FSMT410 (Food Service Management Internship in Dietetics) 
• DIET251 (Counselling Principles and Ethics in Dietetics). 
• Research methods: Dietetics and Human Nutrition (DIET311)
• NUTR312 (Research and Nutritional Epidemiology) 

 

Research Interests /Areas of specialty
Research interests include obesity, public health, non-communicable diseases of lifestyle, infant and young child nutrition and related nutritional status, food security and sports nutrition.

Publications

• Kajjura RB, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2019). Effect of Nutrition Education on Knowledge, Complementary Feeding, and Hygiene Practices of Mothers with Moderate Acutely Malnourished Children, Uganda. Food and Nutrition Bulletin DOI: 10.1177/0379572119840214 journals.sagepub.com/home/f
  
  
• Kajjura RB, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2019). Effect of a novel supplementary porridge on the nutritional status of infants and young children diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition in Uganda: A cluster randomized control trial. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12635
  
  
• Kajjura RB, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2019). Maternal socio-demographics associated with complemetary feeding practices of children aged 6 to 18 months diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition in Arua, Uganda. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12643


• Madlala SS, Kassier SM (2018). Antenatal and postpartum depression: effects on infant and young child health and feeding practices. SAJCN 31(1): 16-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2017.1333753
  
  
• Smit Y, Kassier SM, Nel D, Koen N (2017). The barriers that women face when choosing food for their primary school children: A case study in the Wesern Cape Province, South Africa. SAJCH 11(3):129-134.
  
  
• Lahner CR, Kassier SM, Veldman FJ (2016). Estimation of true height: a study in population-specific methods, among young South African adults. Public Health Nutrition. PHN1600233ID: 10.1017/s1368980016002330.
  
  
• Kassier SM (2016). Periodontal disease and non-communicable diseases. Strength of bidirectional associations. SADJ  71(9):398-403.
  
  
• Kassier SM (2016). Colon cancer and the consumption of red and processed meat: An association that is medium, rare or well done? SAJCN 29(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2016.1217645.
  
  
• Lahner CR, Kassier SM, Veldman FJ (2016). Arm-associated measurements as estimates of true height in black and white young adults of both genders: An exploratory study, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SAJCN 29(3):27-31.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2016.1198616.
  
  
• Lahner CR, Kassier SM (2016). True height and variability in estimates thereof across race and gender. SAJCN 29(2):64-67.
  
  
• Audain KA; Veldman FJ; Kassier SM (2015). A comparative analysis of nutritional status in adolescents from an urban versus a peri-urban school in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Central African Journal of Public Health 1(2):21-27.
  
  
• Gordon R; Kassier S; Biggs C (2015). Hydration status and fluid intake of urban, underprivileged South African male adolescent soccer players during training.  Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 12-21.
  
  
• Audain K; Kassier S; Veldman FJ (2014). Adolescent food frequency and socioeconomic status in a private urban and peri-urban school in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. SAJCN 27(4): 201-207.
  
  
• Kassier, S; Veldman F (2014). Eating behaviour, eating attitude and body mass index of dietetic students versus non-dietetic majors: a South African perspective. SAJCN 27(3):109-113.
  
  
• Kassier, S; Veldman F (2014). When Science Meets Culture: Prevention and Management of Erectile Dysfunction in the 21st Century. SAJCN 27(1):7-12.
  
  
• Kassier S; Veldman F (2013). Food security status and academic performance of students on financial aid: The case of University of KwaZulu-Natal. Alternation Special Edition 9: 248-246.
  
  
• Kassier S; Veldman F (2013). Cry, the beloved bottle: infant-feeding knowledge and the practices of mothers and caregivers in an urban township outside Bloemfontein, Free State province. SAJCN 26(1):17-22.
  
  
• Kassier S; Senekal M; Calitz F; Sandler M (1990): Effect of a Texturised Plant Protein on the Postprandial Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Individuals: A pilot study. SAJ Food Science and Nutrition 2(3):61-63.

 

Conference Proceedings

• Downs JH, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2019). Cracking the Code of the Obesity Survival Paradox in Chronic Haemodialysis Patients. ESPEN - European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Congress 2019, Poland. Clinical Nutrition 39(S1): S120.
  
  
• Kassier SM, De Villlers A, Senekal M (2019). Baseline descriptors of urban overweight/obese Zulu women enrolled in a weight loss intervention, South Africa. Nutrition 2019: American Society for Nutrition, Baltimore. Current Developments in Nutrition 3(Supplement1):1835.
  
  
• Kassier SM, De Villlers A, Senekal M (2019). Qualitative perspectives regarding enabling factors and barriers to success while enrolled in a weight loss intervention: Facilitators, participants and non-participants. Nutrition 2019: American Society for Nutrition, Baltimore. Current Developments in Nutrition 3(Supplement1):1867.
  
  
• Kajjura R, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2018). Effect of malted sorghum based porridge supplementation on the anthropometric and biochemical outcomes of infants and young children aged 6 to 18 months with moderate acute malnutrition in Arua District, Uganda. 8th Africa Nutritional Epidemiology Conference (ANEC 8), Addis Ababa (oral).
  
  
• Barnard JE, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2018). Screening tools used for determining disordered eating behaviour among female undergraduate students at a South African university. T2P220. 25th European Congress on Obesity, Vienna. 
  
  
• Kajjura R, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2018). Effect of malted sorghum-based porridge on nutritional status of moderately malnourished breastfed infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months in Uganda. P416:P78. Sorghum in the 21st Century, Cape Town. 
  
  
• Kajjura R, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM, Muyonga J, Dranzoa C, Herlache J. (2018). Formulation and assessment of nutrient composition of malted sorghum based porridge for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition. P312: P75. Sorghum in the 21st Century, Cape Town. 
  
  
• Smit Y, Koen N, Kassier SM, Nel D (2017). Employment status of mothers: A barrier to healthy food choices for children? 0047:PO25. 22nd Biennial International Congress, South African Association for Food Science & Technology 
  
  
• Smit Y, Koen N, Kassier SM, Nel D (2016). Factors influencing food choices of mothers with primary school children in the Metro North Education District of the Western Cape, South Africa. World Nutrition Congress, Cape Town. 
  
  
• Job N, Kassier SM, Veldman FJ (2016). Food security and related factors of undergraduate students receiving financial aid at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus. World Nutrition Congress, Cape Town. 
  
  
• Barnard JE, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2016). Standard American Diet (SAD) versus displacing Zulu indigenous diet – related health concerns among Zulu women. World Nutrition Congress, Cape Town. 
  
  
• Barnard J, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2016). Prevalence of eating disorders among dietetic- versus non-dietetic students at UKZN. SAJCN 29(3):1. National Nutrition Congress. 
  
  
• Lahner CH, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2016). The accuracy of arm-associated height estimation methods compared to true height, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. SAJCN 29(3):14. National Nutrition Congress. 
  
  
• Barnard JB, Kassier SM, Veldman FJ (2016). Comparison of body mass index, eating behaviour and eating attitude between dietetic- and non-dietetic female undergraduate students at a South African University. World Nutrition Congress Cape Town.
  
  
• Kassier SM, De Villlers A, Senekal M (2016).  Reasons for attrition in the course of enrolment in a healthy weight loss intervention: opinions from intervention facilitators (dietitians) versus black (Zulu) middle-class participants, South Africa. Obesity Reviews 17 (supplement 2): T6:S35:14. XIII International Congress on Obesity.
  
  
• Kassier SM, De Villlers A, Senekal M (2016). Barriers to weight loss on a healthy weight loss intervention: Qualitative perspectives from dietitians, black (Zulu) middle-class completers and drop-outs, South Africa. Obesity Reviews 17 (supplement 2): T6:S38:14. XIII International Congress on Obesity.
  
  
• Downs J, Kassier SM, Veldman FJ (2016). New insights in the obesity survival paradox in chronic care haemodialysis patients. Presentation No: FC10-4. Free Communication Session 10. XVIII International Congress on Nutrition and Metabolism in Renal Disease.
  
  
• Downs J, Veldman FJ, Kassier SM (2015). A comparison of excess fluid to be removed in haemodialysis patients, as estimated by HD staff versus multiple frequency BIA. Critical Care Congress. Sun City, North West Province.
  
  
• Kassier S; De Villiers A; Senekal M (2014).  Health status, dietary intake, dieting practices, eating behavior, physical activity and psychological well-being in urban black overweight/obese treatment-seeking Zulu women and association with BMI. Obesity Reviews 15 (Supplement 2):106. XII International Congress on Obesity.
  
  
• Kassier S; De Villiers A; Senekal M (2014).  Weight loss on a culturally sensitive healthy weight loss programme in urban black overweight/obese Zulu women.  Obesity Reviews 15 (Supplement 2):156. XII International Congress on Obesity.
  
  
• Kassier, S; De Villiers A; Senekal M (2014).  Healthy weight loss intervention for overweight/obese urban Zulu women: Potential for success. SAJCN 27(3):178. Nutrition Congress 2014, Johannesburg. 13th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Veldman F, Kassier S (2014). Food security status and academic performance of students on financial aid at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. SAJCN 27(3):155. Nutrition Congress 2014, Johannesburg. 13th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier SM, Feldman FJ (2014). Dietetics students: More eating disordered than other study majors? The UKZN experience SAJCN 27(3):155. Nutrition Congress 2014, Johannesburg. 13th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Audain K, Veldman F, Kassier, SM (2014): A comparative analysis of nutrition status in adolescents from an urban versus a peri-urban school, KwaZulu-Natal. SAJCN 27(3):148. Nutrition Congress 2014, Johannesburg. 13th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Marais M, Bredenhann E, Kassier S (2013).  A reliable method of evaluating  nutritional intake of male mine workers residing in mine accommodation on a platinum mine (South Africa). Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism     3(Suppl1):1429. 26thth International Nutrition Conference, Granada.
  
  
• Kassier S; Veldman F (2012). Eating behaviour and choice of study in female students attending the UKZN.  Conference Presentation: 6th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
  
  
• Kassier S; Veldman F (2012). Food security status and academic performance of students on financial aid at UKZN.  Conference Presentation: 6th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
  
  
• Kassier S; Veldman F; Senekal M (2010). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among urban Overweight/Obese Zulu women: Comparative Analysis of Two Sets of Diagnostic Criteria. SAJCN 23(3):S25. Nutrition Congress 2010, Durban. 11th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier, S; Sayed N (2010). Infant feeding messages in South African Magazines.  2010. SAJCN 23(3):S23. Nutrition Congress 2010, Durban. 11th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier S (2008). Service Excellence in the Dietetic Profession. SAJCN 21(3):S196. Nutrition Congress 2008, Pretoria. Nutrition Congress 2008, Pretoria. 10th congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier S (2006). Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Zulu Mothers with 0-6 month old Infants Attending PMTCT and Non-PMTCT Clinics in Central Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. SAJCN. 19(3):S10. 9th Biennial Congress of ADSA, Port Elizabeth.
  
  
• Kassier S; Senekal M; Maunder E (2005). Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Zulu Mothers Attending PMTCT and non – PMTCT Clinics in Central Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: An Exploratory Study. 18th International Nutrition Conference, Durban. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism 49(Suppl1):329.
  
  
• Kassier S ; Senekal M ; Maunder E (2004). The Current Infant Feeding Practices and Related Factors of Zulu Mothers with 0-6 month Old Infants Attending PMTCT and non – PMTCT Clinics in Central Durban KwaZulu Natal: An Exploratory Study. SAJCN 17(2):S12. Goudini. 8th Biennial Congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Ntuli Z, Anderson D, Kassier SM (2004). An evaluation of student nutrient intake and anthropometric status to determine the effect of nutritional knowledge and socio-demographic factors on nutritional status. SAJCN 17(2):S19. Goudini. 8th Biennial Congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier S; Senekal M; Maunder E (2003). Clinic- based Nursing Staff and PMTCT Counselors as an Influence on the Feeding Practices of Zulu Mothers with Infants Attending Baby Clinics in Central Durban KwaZulu-Natal: An Exploratory Study. National AIDS Conference, Durban.
  
  
• Kassier S; Senekal M; Ross F; Maunder E (2002). Clinic-Based Nursing Staff as an Influence on the Feeding Practices of Zulu Mothers with 0-6 Month Old Infants Attending    Baby Clinics in Central Durban KwaZulu-Natal: An Exploratory Study. SAJCN 15(3):S17. Potchefstroom. 7th Biennial Congress of ADSA.
  
  
• Kassier S; Senekal M; Ross F; Maunder E (2001): Complementary Feeding Practices: A Programme Planning Model for the Planning of Appropriate and Effective Nutrition Education Strategies. SAJCN 14(3):118. 8th Biennial Congress of SASPEN, Stellenbosch. 
  
  
• Kassier S (1990):  Effect of a Texturised Plant Protein on the Post-prandial Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Individuals:  A pilot study. 13th Biennial congress of the Nutrition Society and ADSA, Cape Town-Poster Presentation.
  
  
  

Books

Kassier SM (2019). Effectivity and modulating pathways for the prevention of colorectal cancer: Diet, body fatness, physical activity and supplementation. In: Jeong K, ed. Multidisciplinary Approach for Colorectal Cancer. London: IntechOpen.  

Kassier, S. M. (2002).  Don’t Do It All To Get It All.  Cape Town: Spearhead.

Research Reports
Kassier, S; Maunder, E; Senekal, M; Doherty, T; Monticelli, F (2003).  Infant feeding practices in KwaZulu-Natal – An exploratory study of current infant feeding practices of mothers with 0-6 month old infants attending PMTCT and non-PMTCT clinics in Central Durban. www.hst.org.za/publications/578.