Studentship: Improving the efficacy of lifestyle interventions through the use of advanced body measurement techniques.

Employer: Sheffield Hallam University

Contract: Full-time

Bursary: £15,609 tax free bursary

Full Description:

Long term weight loss through diet and exercise is difficult to achieve for individuals. While research is active in this area there has been a lack of focus on empowering the individual through increased access to information. Our research group has developed novel ways of measuring the human body. We can look at not only the size and weight of the body, but its shape and composition. 

This PhD will explore how body shape, size and composition information can be used to motivate people on weight loss programs, helping them to take control of their own health and lifestyle. 

You will help to establish whether adherence to, and effectiveness of, lifestyle interventions (weight loss through diet/exercise) increases when individuals are given access to additional information in the form of advanced human body measurement. 

The project has three broad objectives: 

1. Develop and refine methods of information delivery involving advanced body measurement techniques (for example, body size/shape/composition interactive dashboards or 3D printed models representing body size/shape change.) 

2. Assess and validate these methods in terms of usability/preference within a representative cohort 

3. Run a randomised controlled trial to determine whether access to additional information improves adherence and weight loss during lifestyle interventions 

There is a lot of scope in this PhD for taking the research in different directions. There are interesting elements with regards to the science, the technology and the psychology of the project. Therefore we would welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and we would expect you to take the project in a direction that aligns with your interests and expertise. 

If you are interested, I would welcome enquiries and questions with regards to the project. Feel free to email me to discuss further. 

Please see the 'find a PhD' original advert for information on how to apply, pre-requisites etc. 

Package description:

Please note, this PhD is a Graduate Teaching Programme and you will become a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) throughout the duration of your PhD. 

GTA scholarships combine PhD study with professional development to gain practical experience in learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education and provide an excellent opportunity for those wishing to pursue an academic or clinical/academic health career. You will be based in The Academy of Sport and Physical Activity and specifically SPARC. As part of your training, you will be expected to support teaching related activities in that department, up to a maximum of 180 hours per academic year and not more than 6 hours in any one week, in line with University policy. You will be supported to work towards Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

Vacancy website address: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/improving-t...