MRC Epidemiology Unit
@mrcepid.bsky.social
Studying the genetic, developmental & environmental determinants of obesity, type 2 diabetes & related metabolic disorders. Contributing to their prevention.
Pinned
Issue 4 of the 2025 epigram newsletter is out now.
Find out about …
Which cooked potatoes are better for you
A research collaboration discovering how urban environments can support health
And the work of the Global Diet and Activity Research Network
... and more!
Read - buff.ly/3ts21tH
Find out about …
Which cooked potatoes are better for you
A research collaboration discovering how urban environments can support health
And the work of the Global Diet and Activity Research Network
... and more!
Read - buff.ly/3ts21tH
As the Soft-Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is extended to cover milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes, it's worth taking a look back at some of the findings from the evaluation of the SDIL undertaken by @martinwhite33.bsky.social and colleagues.
studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
As the Soft-Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is extended to cover milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes, it's worth taking a look back at some of the findings from the evaluation of the SDIL undertaken by @martinwhite33.bsky.social and colleagues.
studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
🧵(1/4)
studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
Can we trust the science of nutrition?
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Can we trust the science of nutrition?
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Analysis of changes in physical activity and diet quality in 7,256 Fenland Study participants finds that while improvments in each were independently associated with lower increases in body fat, the greatest benefits were achieved by combining both.
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
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News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
🧵 (1/4)
November 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Analysis of changes in physical activity and diet quality in 7,256 Fenland Study participants finds that while improvments in each were independently associated with lower increases in body fat, the greatest benefits were achieved by combining both.
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
🧵 (1/4)
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
🧵 (1/4)
"Nutrition must no longer remain a missing pillar in obesity management medication care."
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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I am delighted to share our new perspective piece in the International Journal of Obesity: “Bridging the nutrition guidance gap for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy assisted weight loss: lessons from bariatric surgery.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@cararuggiero.bsky.social @adrianbrown.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@cararuggiero.bsky.social @adrianbrown.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
"Nutrition must no longer remain a missing pillar in obesity management medication care."
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
Hot off the press 🔥 Amazing work to be a part of led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social and @adrianbrown.bsky.social. Watch this space!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Hot off the press 🔥 Amazing work to be a part of led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social and @adrianbrown.bsky.social. Watch this space!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Today is World Diabetes Day & our Brief Interval podcast series ends with Dr Charlotte Boughton discussing the use of automated insulin delivery systems, that aim to impreove outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today is World Diabetes Day & our Brief Interval podcast series ends with Dr Charlotte Boughton discussing the use of automated insulin delivery systems, that aim to impreove outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
New analysis by Katherine Kentistou et al. of rare coding variants in UK Biobank participants identifies 9 genes that regulate fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, highlighting role of IGFS.
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
November 14, 2025 at 10:36 AM
New analysis by Katherine Kentistou et al. of rare coding variants in UK Biobank participants identifies 9 genes that regulate fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, highlighting role of IGFS.
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
By 2025 1.27 billion people could have type 2 diabetes.
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
Brief Interval - meat, chicken nuggets, and a side order of type diabetes - The Confidence Interval
Chunxiao Li is a Research Associate at the Unit, and a lead author on a paper that investigated the association of meat consumption on type two diabetes.
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
By 2025 1.27 billion people could have type 2 diabetes.
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
📢Excited to say that registration is open for Prevention Research 2026, 4-5 March, Birmingham. Visit preventionresearch26.co.uk to book your place and explore the latest research and strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases and reducing health inequalities across the UK.
Prevention Research 2026
preventionresearch26.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
📢Excited to say that registration is open for Prevention Research 2026, 4-5 March, Birmingham. Visit preventionresearch26.co.uk to book your place and explore the latest research and strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases and reducing health inequalities across the UK.
AMPLIFY is a new study led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social that seeks to understand how people experience next-generation incretin-based therapies, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, when used for weight management.
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
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Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
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November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
AMPLIFY is a new study led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social that seeks to understand how people experience next-generation incretin-based therapies, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, when used for weight management.
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
🧵 (1/3)
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
🧵 (1/3)
There are many reasons pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes &
researchers from @ims-mrl.bsky.social are investigating interventions that can be used to mitigate the condition.
Dr @dftwinn.bsky.social
Dr Adriana Paz Cordona Casanova
Dr Lais Vales Mennetti
Listen - buff.ly/7Kymdzy
researchers from @ims-mrl.bsky.social are investigating interventions that can be used to mitigate the condition.
Dr @dftwinn.bsky.social
Dr Adriana Paz Cordona Casanova
Dr Lais Vales Mennetti
Listen - buff.ly/7Kymdzy
November 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
There are many reasons pregnant women can develop gestational diabetes &
researchers from @ims-mrl.bsky.social are investigating interventions that can be used to mitigate the condition.
Dr @dftwinn.bsky.social
Dr Adriana Paz Cordona Casanova
Dr Lais Vales Mennetti
Listen - buff.ly/7Kymdzy
researchers from @ims-mrl.bsky.social are investigating interventions that can be used to mitigate the condition.
Dr @dftwinn.bsky.social
Dr Adriana Paz Cordona Casanova
Dr Lais Vales Mennetti
Listen - buff.ly/7Kymdzy
By 2050 approx. 1.27 billion people will have type 2 diabetes.
This week researchers from @mrcepid.bsky.social & @ims-mrl.bsky.social (@cam.ac.uk) discuss their research.
Dr Ana Luiza Arruda, a Research Associate, talks about the multiple morbidities of diabetes in this podcast - buff.ly/ZGB46Go
This week researchers from @mrcepid.bsky.social & @ims-mrl.bsky.social (@cam.ac.uk) discuss their research.
Dr Ana Luiza Arruda, a Research Associate, talks about the multiple morbidities of diabetes in this podcast - buff.ly/ZGB46Go
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
By 2050 approx. 1.27 billion people will have type 2 diabetes.
This week researchers from @mrcepid.bsky.social & @ims-mrl.bsky.social (@cam.ac.uk) discuss their research.
Dr Ana Luiza Arruda, a Research Associate, talks about the multiple morbidities of diabetes in this podcast - buff.ly/ZGB46Go
This week researchers from @mrcepid.bsky.social & @ims-mrl.bsky.social (@cam.ac.uk) discuss their research.
Dr Ana Luiza Arruda, a Research Associate, talks about the multiple morbidities of diabetes in this podcast - buff.ly/ZGB46Go
On 10 November Unit researchers Unit took part in the Postdocs of Cambridge Society (PdOC) Research Showcase 2025.
Dr Cara Ruggiero gave a flash talk 'The cost-of-living crisis and infant feeding during the first 1000 days: Qualitative insights from parents and healthcare professionals'
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Dr Cara Ruggiero gave a flash talk 'The cost-of-living crisis and infant feeding during the first 1000 days: Qualitative insights from parents and healthcare professionals'
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November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
On 10 November Unit researchers Unit took part in the Postdocs of Cambridge Society (PdOC) Research Showcase 2025.
Dr Cara Ruggiero gave a flash talk 'The cost-of-living crisis and infant feeding during the first 1000 days: Qualitative insights from parents and healthcare professionals'
🧵 (1/3)
Dr Cara Ruggiero gave a flash talk 'The cost-of-living crisis and infant feeding during the first 1000 days: Qualitative insights from parents and healthcare professionals'
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The Mandala Consortium is evaluating the environmental & social impact of Active Wellbeing Society, which set up a Surplus Food Hub in Birmingham ensuring the redistribution of food to community orgs that support people experiencing food insecurity
Read our blog & watch the video - buff.ly/kNyyYej
Read our blog & watch the video - buff.ly/kNyyYej
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Mandala Consortium is evaluating the environmental & social impact of Active Wellbeing Society, which set up a Surplus Food Hub in Birmingham ensuring the redistribution of food to community orgs that support people experiencing food insecurity
Read our blog & watch the video - buff.ly/kNyyYej
Read our blog & watch the video - buff.ly/kNyyYej
Mendelian Randomization using UK Biobank data indicates that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may causally affect lipid metabolism.
Raina Jia et al. propose understanding tissue-specific pathways of BCAA induced lipid dysregulation could inform their use as clinical targets.
buff.ly/4CaaJWq
Raina Jia et al. propose understanding tissue-specific pathways of BCAA induced lipid dysregulation could inform their use as clinical targets.
buff.ly/4CaaJWq
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Mendelian Randomization using UK Biobank data indicates that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may causally affect lipid metabolism.
Raina Jia et al. propose understanding tissue-specific pathways of BCAA induced lipid dysregulation could inform their use as clinical targets.
buff.ly/4CaaJWq
Raina Jia et al. propose understanding tissue-specific pathways of BCAA induced lipid dysregulation could inform their use as clinical targets.
buff.ly/4CaaJWq
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
The Mandala Consortium is evaluating the environmental and social impact of the Active Wellbeing Society that set up a Surplus Food Hub in Birmingham to ensure the food is redistributed to community organisations supporting people experiencing food insecurity
Full video out next week!
Full video out next week!
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Mandala Consortium is evaluating the environmental and social impact of the Active Wellbeing Society that set up a Surplus Food Hub in Birmingham to ensure the food is redistributed to community organisations supporting people experiencing food insecurity
Full video out next week!
Full video out next week!
(1/2)
This webinar focuses on the Intake24 automated dietary recall tool, and highlighted the programme of updates to enable easier customisation for research projects and surveys.
The tool is currently used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Watch - buff.ly/sml783P
This webinar focuses on the Intake24 automated dietary recall tool, and highlighted the programme of updates to enable easier customisation for research projects and surveys.
The tool is currently used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Watch - buff.ly/sml783P
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
(1/2)
This webinar focuses on the Intake24 automated dietary recall tool, and highlighted the programme of updates to enable easier customisation for research projects and surveys.
The tool is currently used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Watch - buff.ly/sml783P
This webinar focuses on the Intake24 automated dietary recall tool, and highlighted the programme of updates to enable easier customisation for research projects and surveys.
The tool is currently used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Watch - buff.ly/sml783P
(1/3)
The expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic and social benefits, as well as tackling food insecurity, according to researchers from the University of Birmingham.
Watch the full video - buff.ly/SGakepq
The expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic and social benefits, as well as tackling food insecurity, according to researchers from the University of Birmingham.
Watch the full video - buff.ly/SGakepq
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
(1/3)
The expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic and social benefits, as well as tackling food insecurity, according to researchers from the University of Birmingham.
Watch the full video - buff.ly/SGakepq
The expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic and social benefits, as well as tackling food insecurity, according to researchers from the University of Birmingham.
Watch the full video - buff.ly/SGakepq
The FRESH study finds that for both parents and children, parent–child coparticipation in physical activity coparticipation was positively associated with daily total physical activity, accounting for more than 10% of the total.
Read the Human Kinetics Journal paper: buff.ly/TorVtwe
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Read the Human Kinetics Journal paper: buff.ly/TorVtwe
🧵 (1/3)
October 31, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The FRESH study finds that for both parents and children, parent–child coparticipation in physical activity coparticipation was positively associated with daily total physical activity, accounting for more than 10% of the total.
Read the Human Kinetics Journal paper: buff.ly/TorVtwe
🧵 (1/3)
Read the Human Kinetics Journal paper: buff.ly/TorVtwe
🧵 (1/3)
Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: [email protected]
buff.ly/59J0cNp
In context of climate crisis & environmental limits, a new review by James Woodcock et al. identifies key gaps and proposes a forward-looking research agenda in quantitative health impact assessment (HIA) of environmental exposures linked to urban transport and land use in Europe.
buff.ly/s7IDjYC
buff.ly/s7IDjYC
October 30, 2025 at 9:43 AM
In context of climate crisis & environmental limits, a new review by James Woodcock et al. identifies key gaps and proposes a forward-looking research agenda in quantitative health impact assessment (HIA) of environmental exposures linked to urban transport and land use in Europe.
buff.ly/s7IDjYC
buff.ly/s7IDjYC
(1/2)
The Mandala Consortium is conducting a range of research projects across Birmingham to investigate how the food system is changing
Research has found that the expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic & social benefits as well as tackling food insecurity
The Mandala Consortium is conducting a range of research projects across Birmingham to investigate how the food system is changing
Research has found that the expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic & social benefits as well as tackling food insecurity
October 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
(1/2)
The Mandala Consortium is conducting a range of research projects across Birmingham to investigate how the food system is changing
Research has found that the expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic & social benefits as well as tackling food insecurity
The Mandala Consortium is conducting a range of research projects across Birmingham to investigate how the food system is changing
Research has found that the expansion of free school meals to all children would bring significant economic & social benefits as well as tackling food insecurity