Wellington, Aug 31 NZPA - An Auckland nutritionist working to reduce New Zealanders' salt intake and prevent obesity has received a top industry award.

Helen Eyles, a research fellow at the clinical trials research unit of the University of Auckland, was given the 2010 Nutritionist Development Award for her work promoting healthy eating through incentive-based projects, and through her involvement with an Australian organisation which monitored salt levels in packaged food.

Ms Eyles said she would use the award to attend a nutrition conference in Melbourne next year, as well as visiting research associates in Australia to promote closer collaboration on reducing salt in the New Zealand diet.

New Zealand Nutrition Foundation chief executive Sue Pollard said Ms Eyles was a deserving recipient.

"Helen is an asset to promoting health in New Zealand. This award is a stepping stone towards contributing to further ground-breaking New Zealand research.

"Her desire to use her nutrition knowledge to influence public health policy is what stood out to the panel of judges," Ms Pollard said.

The award was given by the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation and Kellogg New Zealand.