Helen Yeung

Job Title
Public Health Dietitian, School Health, and Eating Disorder Prevention

Department/Location
North Shore Population Health Team, based at Parkgate Community Health Centre.

How long have you worked at VCH?
22 years.

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I collaborate with community organizations, educators, health professionals, and other partners to promote healthy eating behaviours and attitudes among children, youth, and families. This includes preventing eating- and weight-related disorders. I help build the capacity of clients and their influencers to promote healthy eating.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
As a public health dietitian, I work with diverse groups of people, integrating research, policy, and practice. BalancedView, (balancedviewbc.ca) is an example where evidence about weight bias/stigma on patient health is presented in an online course for health professionals. VCH staff are encouraged to take this free, online, interactive course to learn ways to adopt a health-centered approach in our work. The integration of research, policy, and practice can also be seen in the VCH Key Messages document, “The Focus is on Health, Not Weight.”

The North Shore School Health Manual, Section 4, Nutrition, (and Section 9), describes my roles and contains some favourite resources .

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
I promote better health for our communities by working with others to create healthier food and social environments for youth. I consult to public health staff and provide educational resources to staff and community service providers to enable clients to make informed choices.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I was a piano teacher before I became a dietitian. Music is still a big part of my life.

“All I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly, and love in my family!” – Raffi

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Yogurt, fruit, and a green or orange vegetable.

Who or what inspires you?
The creative, passionate people I get to work with in public health—health professionals, youth, educators, administrators, coaches, community service providers, and others who aim to promote the health of all children and youth.

Most healthy habit:
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

Favourite vacation spot:
Beautiful British Columbia!