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School for Cross-faculty Studies Global Sustainable Development

Alice Coffey

Alice Coffey

Contact details

Email: Alice dot Coffey at warwick dot ac dot uk
Twitter: @AliceCoffey19
 

Current PhD student

Biography

I am currently in my third year as a PhD student in Global Sustainable Development as part of the TRANSFORM programme, funded by the Leverhulme Trust. My research is focused on sustainable diets and child health, incorporating policy and how policy impacts health inequalities. I have recently graduated from my Master’s of Public Health at the University of Warwick and I have a first-class degree in Nutrition and Health from Coventry University. I have experience as a research assistant for the Warwick Obesity Network based at the University of Warwick, and as a research assistant at the University of Birmingham. Within these roles I have co-written a literature review on the effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss, metabolic health and insulin resistance and I have also undertaken qualitative research and analysis. I also have experience as a Project Coordinator for a community food project for the Active Wellbeing Society, a health-based charity in Birmingham.

Research overview

My research is on sustainable diets and their effect on child health. Looking specifically at vegan and vegetarian diets and if they meet child nutrition requirements and if they are affordable. I will also be looking at policy recommendations following these findings, and how these policies impact health inequalities. My research will be on young children aged 2-12 in the UK, as children in the UK endure co-morbidities associated with diet. I have chosen the UK as my focus as it has a high carbon footprint, and a large portion of this derives from diet. This project will be supervised by Dr Oyinlola Oyebode and Dr Rob Lillywhite.

Academic background

Supervisors

Research interests

  • Nutrition and diet
  • Sustainability
  • Inequalities
  • Health Protection
  • Child Health
  • Food Policy

Funding and awards

  • 2021-2025: Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship

Publications

  • October 2021 - 'COVID-19 Outcomes in Minority Ethnic Groups: Do Obesity and Metabolic Risk Play a Role?'. Current Obesity Reports (2021): 1, 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-021-00459-5
  • August 2023- 'Meat versus meat alternatives: which is better for the environment and health? A nutritional and environmental analysis of animal-based products compared with their plant-based alternatives.' Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2023). DOI: 
    https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.13219
  • October 2023- 'Metabolic changes following intermittent fasting: A rapid review of systematic reviews' Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.13253

Media

  • Podcast (2021) - In this podcast myself and Petra Hanson discuss whether intermittent fasting actually works and whether it has a role in weight loss and diabetes management.