Rate My Professor Debra Waters

Her research centers on body composition and physical function during ageing, including determinants and prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, their impact on physical function, and community-based exercise interventions to maintain function in older adults. Notable contributions include evaluating the Steady As You Go (SAYGo) peer-led falls prevention programme, adapted as Taurite Tū for Māori aged 50+, rolled out nationally, and leading the Invercargill site for the SUPER study on frailty prevention. Key publications encompass 'International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines' (2021, The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging), 'International clinical practice guidelines for sarcopenia (ICFSR): screening, diagnosis and management' (2018, The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging), 'Sarcopenic obesity predicts instrumental activities of daily living disability in the elderly' (2004, Obesity Research), 'Exercise interventions to improve physical frailty and physical frailty components in older adults with hypertension: A systematic review' (2025, Ageing Research Reviews), and '24-h movement patterns: Sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity of older retired Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes' (2025, Australasian Journal on Ageing). Her internationally collaborative work has influenced WHO Integrated Care for Older People guidelines and secured NIH funding for Indigenous community studies, enhancing falls risk reduction and social connectivity.