Eating and Movement Behaviours, Mental Health and Glucose Monitoring in Individuals with Inherited Metabolic Conditions That Cause Hypoglycaemia. at Loughborough University

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead: Dr Florence Kinnafick

Name(s) of secondary supervisor(s) if known: Professor Emma Haycraft, Dr Dale Esliger, Dr Andrew Kingsnorth

Primary supervisor email address: f.e.kinnafick@lboro.ac.uk

Primary supervisor telephone number: +441509226364

Link to supervisor’s online staff profile page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/florence-kinnafick/

Link to secondary supervisor(s) online staff profile page(s):
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/emma-haycraft/ https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/dale-esliger/ https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/andrew-kingsnorth/

Project detail:

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is key symptoms in some inherited metabolic conditions such as Glycogen Storage Disease types with liver involvement. Hypoglycaemia must be avoided to prevent acute complications, including seizures, coma, and death, and to reduce the severity and risk of long-term complications associated metabolic derangements. Individuals with persistent severe hypoglycaemia therefore require close monitoring of blood glucose levels and strict dietary intervention to maintain appropriate metabolic control.

Such regimens can place substantial demands on the individual and their family and significantly increase the risk of eating and mental health problems. Hypoglycaemia and its fear has been cited as a primary barrier to becoming more physically active but undertaking sufficient levels of activity can help provide benefits to holistic wellbeing. However, there is limited understanding of the prevalence of and social-contextual influences on such problems.

In partnership with Association of Glycogen Storage Disease UK and funded by the Mosawi Foundation, this interdisciplinary PhD will quantitatively explore the complex eating behaviours, social-contextual factors, movement behaviours and glucose monitoring involved in the management of inherited metabolic conditions that cause hypoglycaemia. Together, this programme of work will advance our understanding of the eating behaviour and mental health experiences of individuals with these conditions and guide future directions on how best to provide them with appropriate support.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a 2:1 Honors degree (or equivalent) in a Psychology or other relevant Allied Health Professional subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience is desirable. The candidate should hold expertise in quantitative research skills

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £18,622 per annum for the duration of the studentship, plus tuition fees at the UK rate, subject to contract with the funding partners. International students are welcome to apply and a strong candidate may secure a fee waiver for the difference between UK and International tuition fees.

How to apply:

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select *School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences*. Please quote the advertised reference number: SSEHS/FK23 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.