Beyond Weight Loss: Understanding Eating Behaviour, Functional Health and Body Composition Change During and After Incretin-Based Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

About the Project

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition and one of the most significant global health challenges. Recently, incretin-based pharmacotherapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed obesity treatment, enabling substantial weight loss for many individuals. However, maintaining these benefits remains a challenge. Many patients discontinue treatment within the first year and often experience rapid weight regain. There are also concerns about unintended consequences of treatment, including inadequate nutritional intake, loss of lean mass and increased risk of sarcopenic obesity. Despite the rapid rise in prescribing of these medications, little is known about how they influence dietary intake, eating behaviours and functional health during treatment and after discontinuation.

This interdisciplinary PhD project addresses these important knowledge gaps. The research will explore the nutritional, functional and person-centred consequences of incretin-based obesity pharmacotherapy across the treatment journey.

The project will consist of three complementary work packages. First, a systematic review and meta-analysis will examine evidence from randomised controlled trials to determine how GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists influence dietary intake, eating behaviours and body composition in adults living with obesity.

Second, a longitudinal study will follow individuals initiating pharmacological weight management through UK specialist weight management services. Participants will be assessed before treatment initiation, during treatment and following medication cessation to examine changes in dietary intake, eating patterns, body composition, functional health and quality of life.

Finally, a qualitative study will explore the experiences of patients and healthcare professionals following treatment cessation through interviews and/or focus groups. This component will identify barriers to long-term weight maintenance and explore the types of nutritional and behavioural support needed after treatment.

The successful candidate will gain skills and experience in systematic reviewing, quantitative and qualitative research methods, dietary assessment, body composition measurement and functional health assessment. The project offers opportunities to work with multidisciplinary experts in nutrition and dietetics and skeletal muscle health. The studentship would be particularly well suited to a candidate with a background in nutrition or dietetics, and applications from Registered Dietitians are encouraged given the project’s focus on clinical nutrition.

This PhD is supervised by Professor Adamson, Dr Fong, Dr Haigh and Dr Lim within Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences. The research has strong potential to inform clinical practice and future interventions aimed at improving long-term health outcomes within obesity care.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted *as a separate attachment* and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.