Supervisor View Full Details 2nd

• epidemiology/population health research
• Other

Nutrition

• Medicine
• General Practice
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Public Health

• Adolescent medicine
• Cardiology
• Clinical Trials
• Community Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Vascular Medicine
• Other

Nutrition, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal Health

My research investigates the ability of dietary interventions to modify nutritional status and risk of chronic disease, particularly diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as exploring novel approaches to encouraging and supporting diet and lifestyle behaviour change and weight management throughout the lifecycle. Examples of research activities in these areas include developing and evaluating complex interventions to support dietary and lifestyle change: in the school-setting; before, during and after pregnancy; and for people with type 2 diabetes. This work encompasses the use of phone and web-based technology to support behaviour change.

Examples of ongoing or recently completed studies include:
- Effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance in people with pre-diabetes and sub-optimal vitamin D status: a randomised controlled trial (conducted in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, RVH, Belfast).
- A woman-centred, tailored SMS-delivered multi-component intervention for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss in the postpartum period: a pilot RCT - the SMS (Supporting MumS study). Conducted in collaboration with the Public Health Agency NI; NIHR Public Health Research Programme - PHR Project: 14/67/20.

We have a track record of working with Clinical Research Fellows to develop research protocols for nutrition-related studies which have been published in high-quality journals.

Examples of previous studies include:
- Effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance in people with pre-diabetes and sub-optimal vitamin D status: a randomised controlled trial
- Effect of a polyphenol-rich diet on vascular and platelet function: a randomised controlled trial.
- The dose response effect of fruit and vegetables on insulin resistance in healthy participants who are overweight and at high-risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD): a randomised controlled trial.
- A Trial of Micronutrient Supplementation in Patients with Heart Failure.

Rather than being prescriptive, potential applicants with an interest in nutrition are encouraged to discuss their individual research interests directly with Dr McKinley.

Examples of some current areas of interest are:
- Lifestyle interventions to modify risk of gestational diabetes in high-risk women
- Optimising women’s health before, during and after pregnancy
- Novel approaches to encouraging and supporting diet and lifestyle behaviour change and weight management throughout the lifecycle