Tackling Disparities

Whilst public involvement and tackling disparities are central to all work undertaken by the Obesity Institute, this theme will undertake specific research to promote this field. This theme also builds on our:

1. Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement (PPIE) hub, to demonstrate the importance and impact of PPIE in research, and to work with our PPIE members to co-develop patient-led research programmes, that will  directly address priorities and questions that are important to the public and patients living with or at risk of developing obesity
2. Growing portfolio of work undertaken by the University’s Migrant Health group, which includes projects working in coproduction with ethnically diverse communities to develop culturally appropriate dietary advice and resources, and culturally competent, tailored weight management support programmes
3. Work programme with the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities, to support their priorities in identifying and addressing health disparities; taking action on obesity; working with the NHS to improve access to services; and developing strong partnerships with communities
4. NIHR funding portfolio which includes the evaluation of the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme to specifically examine impact across broad and diverse populations (NIHR 132075 - more information available at ReMission), and work with University of Glasgow to understand the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of lifestyle modification interventions in adults with learning disabilities (NIHR 128755)

This theme will also contributes to the university’s wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme which is at the heart of what we do. We therefore want to lead the way in future collaborations and research, to hear the voice and support the needs of our broad and diverse communities locally, nationally and internationally.

This theme is led by Jolanta Shields and Tamara Brown.