麻豆传媒

Introduction

My research focuses on inequalities in maternal maternal and child nutrition, primarily relating to pregnancy nutrition and obesity and how routine care and support can be amended to improve health of women and their children. I commenced my role at 麻豆传媒 in January 2012.

I currently hold an NIHR Advanced (Career Development) Fellowship which uses risk prediction and health economics to explore whether measures of adiposity in early pregnancy would be more preferable to BMI in identifying women who require additional clinical care and support. 

I am the PHSI EDI Lead and member of the Executive Committee.

I am the current President of the UK Association for the Study of Obesity.

I am a co-founder and lead of the Nourishing Futures Network, and international network on food insecurity during preconception, pregnancy and early life (https://research.ncl.ac.uk/nourishingfutures/).

Qualifications

PhD “Trends in Maternal Body Mass Index, Health Inequalities, and the Impact of Maternal Obesity on NHS Maternity Services”. 2009, Teesside University

MSc Health Sciences: Public Health. 2007, Teesside University

BSc (Hons) Food Science and Nutrition. 1999, Teesside University  

Previous Positions  

Chair of the Board of Trustees, ASO, September 2022-July 2024

Elected Trustee for the UK Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO), September 2014-August 2022 

NIHR Postdoctoral Research Fellow January 2012-May 2017

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Research, Teesside University, October 2007–December 2011

Research Assistant/Lecturer in Research Methods, Teesside University, March 2005–October 2007

Postgraduate Supervision

I have supervised seven PhD students to completion

• Dr Claire O'Malley, "Determinants and influences of diet and physical activity in pre-school children in the UK" Durham University (NIHR School for Public Health Research PhD studentship)
• Dr Uma Padmanabhan, "Excess gestational weight gain: exploring the role of weight-related behaviours" Teesside University (Teesside University PhD studentship) 
• Dr Emma Slack, "A life course investigation of maternal ethnic group and pregnancy weight in the development of short and long-term health outcomes for women and their offspring", 麻豆传媒 (MRC studentship)
• Dr Lem Ngongalah, "Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women and children in high income countries: the case for African migrant women and children", 麻豆传媒 (Overseas Research Scholarship)
• Dr Zoe Bell, "“It ripples through, it’s like dropping a stone into a pond…the ripple effect is huge”: Food insecurity and health: insights from women, children and frontline workers" (ESCR Collaboration studentship)
• Dr Zainab Akhter, "An investigation of maternal obesity, bariatric surgery in women of reproductive age and associations with severe adverse perinatal outcomes in subsequent pregnancy", 麻豆传媒 (Research Excellence Academy studentship)
• Dr Anna Boath, "Maternal adiposity and the effectiveness of weight management interventions in pregnancy: gestational diabetes and gestational weight gain" (麻豆传媒 Faculty of Medical Sciences studentship)

I am currently supervising seven PhD students.

• Augustina Pemu, "Asylum seekers and refugees in the North East of England: an advanced quantitative study of inequalities in maternity care and costs to NHS maternity services", 麻豆传媒 (ESRC studentship)
• Ania Couchinho, "Using Intersectionality and Behaviour Change to Enhance Maternity Care for Black Women in the UK" (NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria studentship)
• Susan Lennie, "Adiposity measurement quality and strategies for implementation in routine NHS maternity care" (麻豆传媒 Faculty of Medical Sciences staff studentship)
• Caitlin Holt, "Exploring and responding to food insecurity in preschool children in Somerset" (NIHR School for Public Health Research studentship)
• Helen Little, "Optimising teachable moments in early parenthood: promoting healthy behaviours in parents and their 0-2-year-old" (NIHR School for Public Health Research studentship)
• Amanda Dickson, "Assessing food insecurity during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy life stages" (Deakin University studentship)
• Bashayr Alzughaibi "An exploration of nutritional inequalities in paediatric food allergy"

I regularly supervise undergraduate and masters student research projects and internships.

Funding

Hesketh, K., Kipping, R., Heslehurst, N. NIHR School for Public Health Research PhD Studentship (10/2023), £76,940, "Optimising teachable moments in early parenthood: promoting healthy behaviours in parents and their 0-2-year-old"

Heslehurst, N., Brown, H., Hurley, K., Jolly, C., Rankin, J., Scott, S., Nguyen, N., Brennan-Tovey, K. NIHR School for Public Health Research (09/2023), £217,867, "Exploring food insecurity in pregnancy in the UK to inform future Public Health intervention needs"

Rankin, J., Aquino, R., Heslehurst, N., Brown, H., Kipping, R., Ayorinde, A., Esan, O. NIHR School for Public Health Research (09/2023), £151,980, "‘Poverty-Proofing’ Maternity Services; a qualitative study to improve access and pregnancy outcomes"

Kipping, R., Porter, A., Heslehurst, N. NIHR School for Public Health Research studentship/University of Bristol co-funded PhD Studentship (04/2023), £76,940, "How are families with preschool children and early care settings affected by food insecurity during the post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis?"

Heslehurst, N., Fong, M., Kenny, R., Thomson, K., Nguyen, G., Cullen, E., Moffatt, M., Aquino, R., Sermin-Reed, L., Patterson, M. (12/2022), £35,109, "Effectiveness and implementation of non-specialist interventions for weight management up to 5-years following pregnancy"

Heslehurst, N., Aquino, R., Pearce, M., McColl, E. 麻豆传媒 Global Education and Community Fund (08/2022), £4,722, "Decolonising our Postgraduate Research” to promote global awareness among our PGR community"

Heslehurst, N., Aquino, R., Pearce, M., McColl, E. 麻豆传媒 QR Enhancing Research Culture Fund (04/2022), £4,276, “Decolonising our Research” to enhance our research culture"

Thangaratinam, S., Pilar Betrán Lazaga, P., Foster, C., Allotey, J., Dodds, J., Nirantharakumar, K., Heslehurst, N., Iliodromiti, S., Austin, F., Moss, N., Hitman, G., Teede, H., Poston, L., Riley, R., Simpson, S., Roberts, T. NIHR HTA Researcher led evidence synthesis (03/2021), £315,207, "Diet and physical activity in pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes: Individual Participant Data (IPD) meta-analysis on the differential effects of interventions with economic evaluation"

Aquino, R., Farnworth, A., Heslehurst, N. ARC North East and North Cumbria PhD Studentship (01/2021), £76,000, "Using Intersectionality and Behaviour Change to Enhance Maternity Care for Black Women in the UK" 

Heslehurst, N., Brown, H., Bambra, C., Rankin, J. Public Health Wales (09/2019), £50,000, "Upstream factors and wider determinants of health associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes "

Atkinson, H., Smith, J., Heslehurst, N., Farnworth, A., Smith, J. NIHR Clinical Research Network PPIE Small Grants Project (08/2019), £1,000, “Increasing diversity and inclusivity of PPIE in maternal and child research across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) region”

Heslehurst, N., Vale, L. 麻豆传媒 Faculty of Medical Sciences PhD studentship funding (10/2019), £85,000, “Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Targeting Weight Management Interventions in Pregnancy using Risk Prediction Models”

Heslehurst, N. NIHR Career Development Fellowship (01/2019), £867,956, “Adiposity risk in pregnancy: identifying cost effective risk prediction measures that can be implemented at scale within NHS maternity services”

Bell, Z., Bambra, C., Heslehurst, N., Rankin, J. ESRC PhD Studentship (10/2018), £82,259, "Austerity and nutrition: A qualitative exploration of the social determinants of food insecurity and its nutritional impact amongst women and children in the North East of England"

Heslehurst, N. Research Design Service North East (2017), £390.25, “Patient and Public Involvement: PPI activities”

Lesley Wicks, L., Collins, C., Hutchesson, M., Rollo, M., Wynne, W., Heslehurst, N. University of 麻豆传媒 Australia Strategic Pilot Grant (08/2017), $3064 (AUD), “Health professional provision of nutrition and weight management advice to women who are pregnant; A survey to inform nutrition support as part of routine ante-natal care”

Jones, A., Heslehurst, N., Adamson, A., Ells, L., Woodcock, C., Fuse, Institute of Health & Society, Durham County Council (05/2017), £67,000, "Developing and feasibility testing an intervention to prevent childhood obesity in the early years”

Heslehurst, N., Rankin, J., Devlieger, R., Ackroyd, R., 麻豆传媒 Research Excellence Acadamy (09/2016), £71,373, "An investigation of maternal obesity, bariatric surgery in women of reproductive age and associations with severe adverse perinatal outcomes in subsequent pregnancy”

Rankin J., Heslehurst, N., Brown, H. ESRC PhD Studentship (09/2016), £82,259.50, "Asylum seekers and refugees in the North East of England: an advanced quantitative study of inequalities in maternity care and costs to NHS maternity services”

Heslehurst, N., Rankin, J., Rushton, S. MRC 1 3 MSc/PhD Studentship (09/2013), £87,000, "A Life Course Investigation of Maternal Ethnic Group and Pregnancy Weight in the Development of Short and Long-term Health Outcomes for Women and their Offspring”

Summerbell, C., Moore, H., Heslehurst, N., NIHR School for Public Health Research PhD Studentship (08/2012), £75,000, "Determinants and influences of diet and physical activity in pre-school children in the UK"

Heslehurst, N., McColl, E., Knight, M. NIHR Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (01/2012), £304,287, “The development and rehearsal pilot of a guideline implementation intervention for the management of maternal obesity by midwives”

Heslehurst, N. North East Strategic Health Authority (10/2010), £29,070, “A Scoping Study to Develop Midwifery Training for Obesity in Pregnancy”

Heslehurst, N., Holt, A., Simpson, H., Sedgewick, G. South Tees NHS Trust Small Grant Application (06/2009),£5,802, “An evaluation of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal clinical pathways for obese pregnant women within South Tees NHS Trust maternity services, and partnership public health organisations”

Heslehurst, N., Griffrin, K., Long, H. Teesside University Research Fund (06/2009), £4,348, “A qualitative study exploring experiences of the implementation of dietetic referrals for women with a raised body mass index in pregnancy”

Heslehurst, N., Ells, L., Wilkinson, JR. Public Health North East (09/2008), £50,000, “Maternal Obesity Maternity and Community Service Evaluation”

My teaching activities primarily include PhD, Masters and Undergraduate research supervision and assessments, external PhD assessment and examinations, and student internship supervisor.

• Articles

  • Heslehurst N, McParlin C, Sniehotta FF, Rankin J, Crowe L, McColl E. . Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2024, 10(1), 47.
  • Fong M, Kenny RPW, Thomson K, Jesurasa A, Lavans A, Patterson M, Sermin-Reed L, Nguyen G, Aquino MRJ, Cullen E, O'Keefe H, Moffat M, Heslehurst N. . Frontiers in Public Health 2024, 12, 1359680.
  • Bell Z, Nguyen G, Andreae G, Scott S, Sermin-Reed L, Lake AA, Heslehurst N. . PLoS Medicine 2024, 21(9), e1004450.
  • Heslehurst N, Vinogradov R, Nguyen GT, Bigirumurame T, Teare D, Hayes L, Lennie SC, Murtha V, Tothill R, Smith J, Allotey J, Vale L. . BMJ Open 2023, 13(9), e073545.
  • Akhter Z, Rankin J, Shackford-Alizart A, Ackroyd R, Devlieger R, Heslehurst N. . Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4415.
  • Heslehurst N, McParlin C, Sniehotta FF, Rankin J, McColl E. . PLoS ONE 2023, 18(1), e0280624.
  • Heslehurst N, Cullen E, Flynn AC, Briggs C, Smart L, Rankin J, McColl E, Sniehotta FF, McParlin C. . Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3805.
  • Boath A, Vale L, Hayes L, Allotey J, Heslehurst N. . BMJ open 2023, 13(3), e065335.
  • Ngongalah L, Rapley T, Rankin J, Heslehurst N. . Nutrients 2023, 15(19), 4135.
  • Bell Z, Scott S, Visram S, Rankin J, Bambra C, Heslehurst N. . PLoS ONE 2023, 18(9), e0292178.
  • Heslehurst N, Evans EH, Incollingo Rodriguez AC, Nagpal TS, Visram S. . Obesity Reviews 2022, 23(12), e13511.
  • Bell Z, Scott S, Visram S, Rankin J, Bambra C, Heslehurst N. . Social Science and Medicine 2022, 311, 115313.
  • Nagpal TS, Souza SCS, Moffat M, Hayes L, Nuyts T, Liu RH, Bogaerts A, Dervis S, Piccinini-Vallis H, Adamo KB, Heslehurst N. . Obesity Reviews 2022, 23(1), e13324.
  • Nguyen G, Hayes L, Ngongalah L, Bigirumurame T, Gaudet L, Odeniyi A, Flynn A, Crowe L, Skidmore B, Simon A, Smith V, Heslehurst N. . Obesity Reviews 2022, 23(10), e13491.
  • Heslehurst N, Ngongalah L, Bigirumurame T, Nguyen TG, Odeniyi A, Flynn A, Smith V, Crowe L, Skidmore B, Gaudet L, Simon A, Hayes L. . Obesity Reviews 2022, 23(7), e13449.
  • Thomson K, Moffat M, Arisa O, Jesurasa A, Richmond C, Odeniyi A, Bambra C, Rankin J, Brown H, Bishop J, Wing S, McNaughton A, Heslehurst N. . BMJ Open 2021, 11, e042753.
  • Akhter Z, Heslehurst N, Ceulemans D, Rankin J, Ackroyd R, Devlieger R. . Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1699.
  • Ngongalah L, Rankin J, Heslehurst N, Rapley T. . Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1667.
  • Coomar D, Hazlehurst JM, Austin F, Foster C, Hitman GA, Heslehurst N, Iliodromiti S, Betran AP, Moss N, Poston L, Nirantharakumar K, Roberts T, Simpson SA, Teede HJ, Riley R, Allotey J, Thangaratinam S. . BMJ Open 2021, 11(6), e048119.
  • Brown H, Jesurasa A, Bambra C, Rankin J, McNaughton A, Heslehurst N. . BMJ Open 2021, 11(11), e052330.
  • Heslehurst N, Hayes L, Jones D, Newham J, Olajide J, McLeman L, McParlin C, De Brun C, Azevedo L. . PLoS ONE 2020, 15(5), e0232774.
  • Slack E, Best KE, Rankin J, Heslehurst N. . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020, 19, 1-9.
  • Insan N, Slack E, Heslehurst N, Rankin J. . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020, 20(1), 502.
  • Heslehurst N, Vieira R, Akhter Z, Bailey H, Slack E, Ngongalah L, Pemu A, Rankin J. . PLoS Medicine 2019, 16, e1002817.
  • Shawe J, Ceulemans D, Akhter Z, Neff K, Hart K, Heslehurst N, Stotl I, Agrawal S, Steegers-Theunissen R, Taheri S, Greenslade BV, Rankin J, Huda MSB, Douek I, Ogden J, Galjaard S, Blumenfeld O, Robinson A, Whyte M, Murphy E, Wood C, Devlieger R. . Obesity Reviews 2019, 20(11), 1507-1522.
  • Akhter Z, Rankin J, Ceulemans D, Ngongalah L, Ackroyd R, Devlieger R, Vieira R, Heslehurst N. . PLoS Medicine 2019, 16(8), e1002866.
  • Heslehurst N, Brown H, Pemu A, Coleman H, Rankin J. . BMC Medicine 2018, 16, 89.
  • Bell R, Hayes L, Pasecinic N, Heslehurst N. . Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2018, 146, 58-66.
  • Heslehurst N, Rankin J, McParlin C, Sniehotta FF, Howel D, Rice S, McColl E. . Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2018, (4), 47.
  • Slack E, Rankin J, Jones D, Heslehurst N. . Obesity Reviews 2018, 19(4), 485-500.
  • Watterson C, MacDonald-Wicks L, Collins C, Hutchesson M, Shrewsbury V, Vincze L, Heslehurst N, Follong B. . JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 2018, 16(10), 1929-1938.
  • Ngongalah L, Rankin J, Rapley T, Odeniyi A, Akhter Z, Heslehurst N. . Nutrients 2018, 10, 8.
  • Heslehurst N, Vieira R, Hayes L, Crowe L, Jones D, Robalino S, SLack L, Rankin J. . Obesity Reviews 2017, 18(3), 293–308.
  • Barber C, Rankin J, Heslehurst N. . BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth 2017, 17(1), 1-10.
  • Heslehurst N, Dinsdale S, Brandon H, Johnston C, Summerbell C, Rankin J. . Midwifery 2017, 49, 47-53.
  • Heslehurst N, Russell S, Brandon H, Johnston C, Summerbell C, Rankin J. . Health Expectations 2015, 18(5), 969-981.
  • Heslehurst N, Dinsdale S, Sedgewick G, Simpson H, Sen S, Summerbell CD, Rankin J. . PLoS ONE 2015, 10(5), e0127122.
  • Padmanabhan U, Summerbell CD, Heslehurst N. . BMC Pregnancy and Birth 2015, 15, 99.
  • Heslehurst NH, Crowe L, Robalino S, Sniehotta FF, McColl E, Rankin J. . Implementation Science 2014, 9, 97.
  • Heslehurst N, Newham J, Maniatopoulos G, Fleetwood C, Robalino S, Rankin J. . Obesity Reviews 2014, 15(6), 462-486.
  • Heslehurst N. . Evidence-Based Nursing 2013, 16(2), 41-42.
  • Heslehurst N, Russell S, McCormack S, Sedgewick G, Bell R, Rankin J. . Midwifery 2013, 229(7), 736-744.
  • Heslehurst N, Sattar N, Rajasingam D, Wilkinson J, Summerbell C, Rankin J. . BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth 2012, 12(1), 156.
  • Heslehurst N, Bell R, Rankin J. . Perspectives in Public Health 2011, 131(4), 161-162.
  • Heslehurst N. . Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2011, 70(4), 439-449.
  • Heslehurst N, Moore H, Rankin J, Ells LJ, Wilkinson JR, Summberbell CD. . Midwifery 2011, 27(5), 170-177.
  • Smith SA, Heslehurst N, Ells LJ, Wilkinson JR. . Public Health 2011, 125(8), 518-524.
  • Heslehurst N, Rankin J, Wilkinson J, Summerbell CD. . International Journal of Obesity 2010, 34(3), 420-428.
  • Heslehurst N, Simpson H, Ells LJ, Rankin J, Wilkinson J, Lang R, Brown TJ, Summerbell CD. . Obesity Reviews 2008, 9(6), 635-683.
  • Heslehurst N, Ells LJ, Simpson H, Batterham A, Wilkinson J, Summerbell CD. . BJOG 2007, 114(3), 334-342.
  • Heslehurst N, Lang R, Rankin J, Wilkinson JR, Summerbell CD. . BJOG: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 2007, 114(3), 334-342.

• Book Chapter

  • Heslehurst N. . In: Unnithan-Kumar, M., Tremayne, S, ed. Fatness and the Maternal Body: Women's Experiences of Corporeality and the Shaping of Social Policy. Oxford: Bergham Books, 2011, pp.111-129.

• Note

  • Corfe BM, Smith T, Heslehurst N, Nightingale JM, Kenneally S, Williams S, Moore JB. . British Journal of Nutrition 2023, 129(6), 1009-1010.

• Reviews

  • Gunabalasingam S, Kyrka A, Hopkins L, Lebrett R, Dyer E, Forde R, Heslehurst N, Meek CL, Schoenaker DAJM, Flynn AC, White SL. . Diabetic Medicine 2025, 42(1), e15474.
  • Quotah OF, Andreeva D, Nowak KG, Dalrymple KV, Almubarak A, Patel A, Vyas N, Cakir GS, Heslehurst N, Bell Z, Poston L, White SL, Flynn AC. . Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome 2024, 16(1), 8.
  • Nguyen G, Bell Z, Andreae G, Scott S, Sermin-Reed L, Lake AA, Heslehurst N. . Obesity Reviews 2024, 25(7), e13753.
  • Luli M, Yeo G, Farrell E, Ogden J, Parretti H, Frew E, Bevan S, Brown A, Logue J, Menon V, Isack N, Lean M, McEwan C, Gately P, Williams S, Astbury N, Bryant M, Clare K, Dimitriadis GK, Finlayson G, Heslehurst N, Johnson B, Le Brocq S, Roberts A, McGinley P, Mueller J, O'Kane M, Batterham RL, Miras AD. . eClinicalMedicine 2023, 58, 101962.
  • Nguyen G, Boath A, Heslehurst N. . Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2023, 82(3), 241-252.
  • Fakhraei R, Denize K, Simon A, Sharif A, Zhu-Pawlowsky J, Dingwall-Harvey ALJ, Hutton B, Pratt M, Skidmore B, Ahmadzai N, Heslehurst N, Hayes L, Flynn AC, Velez MP, Smith G, Lanes A, Rybak N, Walker M, Gaudet L. . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2063.
  • Hayes L, McParlin C, Azevedo LB, Jones D, Newham J, Olajide J, McCleman L, Heslehurst N. . Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 1036.
  • Bell Z, Scott S, Visram S, Rankin J, Bambra C, Heslehurst N. . BMJ Open 2021, 11(8), e048180.
  • Stephenson J, Heslehurst N, Hall J, Schoenaker DAJM, Hutchinson J, Cade JE, Poston L, Barrett G, Crozier SR, Barker M, Kumaran K, Yajnik CS, Baird J, Mishra GD. . The Lancet 2018, 391(10132), 1830-1841.
  • Dinsdale S, Azevedo LB, Shucksmith J, Newham J, Ells LJ, Jones D, Heslehurst N. . JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 2016, 14(10), 29-47.