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Brief Biography

Dr. Gail McVey is a Psychologist and Health Systems Research Scientist in the Community Health Systems Resource Group at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).  

She is also Director of the Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders, and holds an appointment as a Scientist in the SickKids Research Institute and as an Associate Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

Dr. McVey has published studies on longitudinal research on school and university-based prevention programs, including a web-based knowledge translation resource for teachers and public health professionals.  Her program of prevention research is supported by a five-year Mid-Career Award (2005-2010) funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Gender and Health) and the Ontario Women's Health Council.  

Dr. McVey was involved in hosting national and international symposia involving researchers, practitioners and policy-makers on ways to integrate the prevention of obesity and eating disorders (2007-2008).

In 2010-2011, an interdisciplinary team of researchers and knowledge users from public health, led by Dr. McVey at the Hospital for Sick Children, collaborated to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a professional development model entitled LENS (Leveraging Equitable Non-Stigmatizing health promotion delivery) (McVey et al., 2010).  The pilot study, funded by a Catalyst Grant from CIHR –Institute of Population and Public Health, was designed to reach out to health professionals who work in the area of healthy lifestyles and identify effective ways to increase weight bias awareness to optimize the delivery of non-stigmatizing and equitable health promotion.  

In her role as Director of the Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders, Dr. McVey routinely hosts conference and rounds on the topic of treatment and prevention of eating disorders, including an annual provincial network meeting for eating disorder service providers in Ontario.  

Dr. Mcvey is a core steering committee member of the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition, and senior co-editor of an edited book, currently in press, entitled:  Preventing weight-related disorders: Linking collaborative research, advocacy and policy change (with Dr. Michael Levine, Dr. Niva Piran and Dr. Bruce Ferguson).

Research Interests

Dr. McVey’s research spans three areas:

1. Discovery research related to the development of best practices in the prevention of eating disorders/disordered eating through community-based, clinically-sensitive, longitudinal research evaluated using randomized controlled trials;
2. Implementation research related to the uptake and sustainability of these best practices by relevant stakeholders in health, education and sport; and
3. Knowledge translation and exchange of best practices through professional development activities, mentoring of students/trainees and emerging scientists (e.g., clinicians), policy change (Ministries of Education, Health and Long-Term Care, Health Promotion) and invited presentations at local, provincial, national and international peer-reviewed conferences.

Future Research Interests

With collaborators from Ontario and Alberta, Dr. McVey is proposing to carry out a program of research in the area of population health intervention research which examines the processes underlying the delivery, implementation and knowledge of interdisciplinary leadership training in the area of prevention of weight-related disorders through a series of five conceptually related components.  

Overall , the program seeks to:

• examine the operative characteristics of the partnerships embedded in the development and implementation of the collaborative interdisciplinary professional development process
• identify effective ways to mentor the practitioners to transfer the uptake of their newly-gained knowledge into daily practice
• facilitate knowledge translation of findings across Canada to build capacity for a national prevention strategy aimed at improving the delivery of health promotion so that everyone, regardless of their weight, can reach their full health potential and not be disadvantaged as a result of their weight, gender, or other socially determined circumstance.

The program of research is intended to:

• find ways to maximize leadership among public health professionals in the delivery of high quality, efficient and equitable health promotion interventions in the realm of weight-related disorder prevention by researching ways to optimize the synergy across disciplines and sectors to promote congruent, non-stigmatizing and evidence-informed health promotion interventions
• support the scaling up of innovative professional development practices, by examining the factors that foster interdisciplinary collaboration within our own team and by researching partnership development as it unfolds to uncover the operating characteristics of sustainable public health interventions
• foster dynamic, sustained and collaborative engagement of researchers and research users in the prevention of weight-related disorders that could serve as scaffolding for future collaboration and programming roll-out,
• facilitate effective knowledge translation approaches that enhance the integration and use of new and existing knowledge to inform decision-making in public health by aligning our program with current policy, and by engaging our knowledge users in reciprocal knowledge exchanges of how best to meet their unique professional development needs required to serve the diverse needs of their clients and communities

External Funding

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Achievements

• Acting Director, Collaborative Graduate Program in Women’s Health Seminar, Women’s College Research Institute and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (2009).
• Most Outstanding Continuing Education Activity in Psychiatry in Canada Award (academic) (with Adair, C., de Groot, J., McLaren, L., Plotnikoff, R. & Gray-Donald, K.) for symposium on Obesity and Eating Disorders: Seeking Common Ground to Promote Health, Joint Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Council of Psychiatric Continuing Education (2008)
• Gala Honoree and Award Recipient for Loyalty, Professionalism and Dedication to the Battle Against Eating Disorders, Eating Disorder Association of York Region (2006)
• Five-year Mid-Career Personnel Award, CIHR (Institute of Gender and Health) and the Ontario Women’s Health Council (2005-2010)
• Paul Christie Fellowship Prize, Outstanding Research in Community Mental Health, Ontario Mental Health Foundation (1999)
• (OMHF) Post-Doctoral Renewal Fellowship, The Hospital for Sick Children (1997-1999) Title of Project: A controlled evaluation of an elementary school eating disorder prevention program involving students and their parents: A one-year follow-up. (Principal Investigator)
• (OMHF) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, The Hospital for Sick Children (1995-1997) Title of Project: A controlled evaluation of an elementary school prevention program designed to promote positive body image in young adolescent females: A one-year follow-up. (Principal Investigator)

Hosted Symposia

Linking research, practice and policy to devise a national prevention research strategy (2011).  Meeting hosted at the Hospital for Sick Children. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant (McVey, Walker, Ferguson and Russell-Mayhew) (Scheduled for November 17-18, 2011).

Improving the Prevention of Eating-Related Disorders: Collaborative Research, Advocacy, and Policy Change (2008). Sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Ferguson & McVey)and The Hospital for Sick Children.

Obesity and Eating Disorders: Seeking Common Ground to Promote Health (2007) (with Adair, C., de Groot, J., McLaren, L., Plotnikoff, R. & Gray-Donald, K.). Sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Child and Youth Health Network, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Publications

McVey, G., Kirsh, G., Maker, D., Walker, K., Mullane, J., Laliberte, M., Ellis-Claypool, J., Vorderbrugge, J., Burnett, A., Cheung, L., Banks, L. (2010)  Promoting positive body image among university students: A collaborative pilot study.  Body Image, 7(3), 200-204.

McVey G.L., Gusella, J., Tweed, S., & Ferrari, M. (2009).  A controlled evaluation of web-based training for teachers and public health practitioners on the prevention of eating disorders. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 17(1), 1-26.

Yuile, A., & McVey, G.L. (2009).  The role of social influence in the prevention of disordered eating among young adolescent females. Journal of School Mental Health, 2(4), 47-60.

Ferrari, M., Tweed S., Rummens, J.A., Skinner, H. & McVey, G.L. (2009).  Health materials and strategies for the prevention of immigrants' weight-related problems. Qualitative Health Research, 19, 1259-1272.

Buchholz, A., Mack, H., McVey, G.L., Feder, S. & Barrowman, N. (2008).  An evaluation of the prevention project BODYSENSE: A positive body image initiative for female athletes.  Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 16, 308-321.

McVey, G.L., Tweed, S. & Blackmore, E. (2007).  Healthy Schools-Healthy Kids: A controlled evaluation of a comprehensive eating disorder prevention program.  Body Image: An International Research Journal, 4, 115-136.

Kirsh, G., McVey, G.L., Tweed, S. & Katzman, D.K. (2007).  Psychosocial profiles of young adolescent females seeking treatment for an eating disorder. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, 351-356.

McVey, G.L., Davis, R., Kaplan, A., Katzman, D.K., Pinhas, L., Geist, R., Heinmaa, M. & Forsyth, G. (2005).  A community-based training program for eating disorders and its contribution to the development of a provincial network of specialized services.  International Journal of Eating Disorders, 37, 535-540.

McVey, G.L., Tweed, S. & Blackmore, E. (2005).  Correlates of dieting and muscle gaining behaviors in 10 to 14-year-old males and females.  Preventive Medicine, 40, 1-9.

McVey, G.L., Davis, R., Tweed, S. & Shaw, B. (2004).  An evaluation of a school-based program designed to improve body image satisfaction, global self-esteem, and eating attitudes and behaviours: A replication study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36, 1-11.

McVey, G.L., Tweed, S. & Blackmore, E. (2004).  Dieting among preadolescent and young adolescent females.  Canadian Medical Association Journal, 170, 1559-1562.

McVey, G.L., Lieberman, M., Voorberg, N., Wardrope, D. & Blackmore, E. (2003). School-based peer support groups: A new approach to the prevention of eating disorders.  Eating Disorders: Treatment and Prevention of Eating Disorders, 11(3), 171-198.

Invited Presentations

McVey, G. (2011)  Invited Keynote speaker on the topic of resiliency and implications for the prevention of weight-related disorders. Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition (OHSC) Annual Conference, Sudbury, Ontario, May 12th and 13th, 2011.

McVey, G. (2011)  Invited keynote speaker, Taking concurrent action on obesity and excessive concern about weight: the new paradigm on weight. Presentation during one-day workshop entitled  Concomitant Prevention of Obesity, Excessive Weight Concerns and Eating Disorders:  The Example of the Québec Charter for a Healthy and Diverse Body Image.  2nd National Obesity Summit (April 28-May 1st), Montreal, Quebec.

McVey, G. (2011)  Invited expert panel speaker for First Canadian Summit on Weight Bias. Hosted by The Canadian Obesity Network-Réseau canadien en obésité (CON-RCO) and the Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet). Toronto, ON. Jan 17-18, 2011

McVey, G. (2010)  Invited speaker.  Update on prevention of weight-related disorders: Linking research, practice and policy.  IWK Health Centre Halifax, Nova Scotia (November 9, 2010)

McVey, G. (2010)  Invited Presenter.Lessons learned in knowledge translation.  The Social Aetiology of Mental Illness (SAMI).  Training Program funded by the CIHR.  Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, November 4, 2010.

McVey, G. (2010)  Invited speaker for presentation on Current Updates in the Treatment and Prevention of Eating Disorders. Open Minds Across Canada Mental Health Symposium.  Hosted by HealthyMinds Canada and SickKids, ON (Oct 28, 2010).

McVey, G. (2010). Invited guest speaker. Health Promotion Forum - Eating Disorders, Obesity Prevention and Beyond. Hosted by BC Children’s Hospital (videolinked to 27 additional sites across Canada), Vancouver, BC, October 22, 2010

McVey, G (2010).  Invited keynote speaker for open forum to the public.  Hosted by Jessie’s Legacy Program.  Family Services of North Shore.  Vancouver, British Columbia (October 21, 2010).

McVey, G. (2010).  Invited keynote speaker on:  Integrating mental health promotion into the prevention of chronic diseases.  Hosted by Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health (OSNPPH), Annual Nutrition Exchange Conference, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (May 13-14, 2010).

McVey, G. (2009).  Invited panel speaker for “The stranger in the mirror:  Is it time to change the way we view eating disorders?”  CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes Café Scientifique on “Eating Disorders and Mental Health”.  St. Anne’s Parish Hall, Toronto, ON, November 10th, 2009.

Other Presentations

McVey, G., Walker, K.S., & Ferrari, M. (2011).  Preventing weight related disorders: What are the active ingredients to promoting collaborative and sustainable cross sector and inter-disciplinary partnerships. Workshop  presentation at the International Conference on Eating Disorders hosted by the Academy of Eating Disorders, Miami, Florida (April 28-30, 2011).

Kimber, M., Couturier, J., Jack, S., Niccols, A., Van Blyderveen, S. & McVey, G. (2010). Understanding the Uptake of Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa in Ontario: A Qualitative Study.  Oral paper presentation at national conference entitled. Reflecting, Revising, Responding, Hosted by the Eating Disorder Association of Canada (EDAC) 2010 Bi-Annual Conference. Toronto, Ontario, November 18-19, 2010

McVey, G., Walker, K., Harrison, H., Beyers, J., Russell-Mayhew, S., Simkins, S., Scythes, C., Cowie-Bonne, J., Murkin, E., Missiha, M., Westland, J., Degagne, K., Smith, S. (2010).  There is no health without mental health: Optimizing students’ engagement in healthy and active living through the piloting of a reflective practice professional development model.  Workshop presented as part of the meeting of CUPR (Council of University Researchers & Professors) at OPHEA and Physical & Health Education Canada 2010 National Conference (Toronto, Ontario, October 23, 2010).

Kimber, M., Couturier, J., Jack, S., Niccols, A., Van Blyderveen, S. & McVey, G. (2010).  Understanding the uptake of Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa in Ontario: A Two-Tiered Knowledge Translation Study. Poster Presentation. Mobilizing Research Knowledge Conference. Hamilton, Ontario, October 6-7, 2010

Ferrari M., McVey G.  Exploring stakeholders’ participation in Eating Disorders and Obesity prevention interventions: assessing current practices to inform future ones. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, Salzburg, Austria: June 10-12, 2010.

McVey, G.L., Walker, K.S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Beyers, J., Simkins, S., Scythes, C.,Cowie-Bonne, J., Westland, J., Murkin, E.  Integrating mental health promotion in the prevention of chronic disease: Lessons learned from a participatory approach to changing professional practice.  Poster presented at the Society for Prevention Research 18th Annual Meeting, Cells to Society: Prevention at All Levels, June 1 - June 4, 2010, Denver, CO

McVey, G. (2009)  Judge for graduate student presentation awards.  Collaborative Program in Women's Health, Annual Graduate Research Day, Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, ON (May 7, 2009)

McVey, G.L. (2008) Obesity and eating disorders: Opportunities for working collaboratively.  Plenary Speaker at the Childhood and Adolescent Obesity 2008 Conference: How We live, How We Learn, How We Work: Implications for the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity. Vancouver, BC, October 2-4, 2008.

McVey, G.L., Adair, C., de Groot, J., McLaren, L., Plotnikoff, R., Gray-Donald, K. & Collier, S. (2008)  Obesity and eating disorders: Seeking common ground to promote health. Findings from a symposium with researchers, clinicians and policy makers.  Panel Discussant at the 2008 Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research Conference: Bridging Silos. Gatineau, QC, May 26-28, 2008.

Ferrari, M., Tweed, S., Rummens, J.A., Skinner, H. & McVey, G.L. (2008)  Dialogue with immigrant mothers from Chinese and Tamil communities to explore external and internal (self) objectification of their bodies.  Poster presentation at the 2008 International Conference on Eating Disorders. Seattle, WA, May 15-18, 2008.

Flamant, M., Flewelling, R., Buchholz, A., Henderson, K., Goldfield, G., Matheson, K. & McVey, G.L. (2008)  Research on eating and adolescent lifestyles in Ontario – A prospective longitudinal school-based study.  Poster presentation at the Made in Ontario: A Showcase of Leading Practices in Child and Youth Mental Health.  A conference in celebration of Children’s Mental Health Week geared for front-line staff and clinicians.  The Provincial Centre for Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO. Ottawa, ON, May 9, 2008.

McVey, G.L. (2008)  From here to ecology: Linking research, practice and policy in the prevention of eating disorders. Speaker at the Community Health Systems Resource Group Collaborative Research Symposia Series: Improving the Prevention of Eating-Related Disorders: Collaborative Research, Advocacy and Policy Change.  The Hospital for Sick Children. Toronto, ON, May 2, 2008.

McVey, G.L. (2008) Holistic approach to promoting healthy eating, preventing eating disorders and recommendations for avoiding the pitfalls of obesity prevention.  Panel Speaker for pre-conference symposium on Nutrition and Schools (presented with Dr. Paul Veugeles, University of Alberta).  The Canadian Association for School Health Knowledge Network Community of Practice in Nutrition Group. Gatineau, QC, April 11, 2008.