Understanding the Impact of a Team-Based Sport Weight Loss Intervention on Men’s Health: Evaluation of MAN v FAT (Ref: SSEHS/GH26)

About the Project

Men’s health is a major public health concern in the UK, with mental and physical health challenges disproportionately affecting men. Around 74% of all suicide deaths are among men, and suicide remains the leading cause of death for men aged 20-49. Yet only 36% of referrals to mental health services are male - reflecting men’s lower engagement with traditional forms of support (e.g., psychotherapy, medication). Barriers include stigma, traditional gender roles, societal expectations, and discrepancies between existing services and men’s preferences.

Physical health is another concern: in 2022/2023, 69.1% of men aged 18 and over in England were classified as overweight or obesity. While excess weight does not directly cause mental ill-health, it can contribute to low mood, reduced self-esteem, and social isolation, all of which can affect psychological well-being. Despite these overlapping challenges, few interventions are designed specifically for men, and even fewer target mental and physical health together.

There is growing recognition of the need for gender-sensitised interventions that are relevant, accessible, and engaging for men. Community-based programmes that combine sport, peer support, and goal-orientated activities may offer more acceptable and effective alternatives to traditional health services. However, evidence around the mental health impact and key components of such interventions remains limited.

This self-funded PhD project aims to address these gaps by evaluating MAN v FAT Football - a UK-wide, gender-sensitised weight loss and lifestyle programme for men with a BMI over 27.5. The programme uses football as a tool for behaviour change, combining weekly matches with weight monitoring, team-based support, health education, and access to optional mental health resources. While the primary focus is weight loss, the programme also aims to promote well-being and social connection. This project will explore how MAN v FAT may support men’s mental and physical health and examine the mechanisms by which any benefits occur.

The research will be conducted in collaboration with MAN v FAT, offering the student the opportunity to engage directly with a national community organisation and conduct applied, policy-relevant research with real-world impact.

Research Aims and Methodology

The project will use a mixed-method design to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of MAN v FAT Football. Broadly, it will include the following phases:

1. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: A comprehensive synthesis of existing gender-sensitised weight loss and lifestyle interventions for men, focusing on physical and mental health outcomes, mechanisms of change, and key design features.
2. Qualitative Study: Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. participants, coaches, programme staff) to explore their experiences of MAN v FAT and perceptions of its impact, feasibility, and acceptability.
3. Quantitative Study (Pre–Post Design): A pre–post evaluation measuring changes in mental health, well-being, and potentially other psychosocial or behavioural outcomes over the course of the programme.

Findings from all phases will be integrated to develop a rich understanding of how MAN v FAT may support men’s health, and to inform the design and delivery of future gender-sensitised interventions.

Potential Contributions:

This project will contribute to the evidence based on community-based, gender-sensitised interventions targeting men’s health. It will offer practical insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to engage men in programmes that address both mental and physical well-being. It may also support MAN v FAT and similar organisations in shaping and refining future interventions.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:

Dr Gabrielle Hale g.e.hale@lboro.ac.uk

Names of secondary supervisors:

Dr Elizabeth Stamp
Dr Jamie Barker

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for United Kingdom:

• A 2:1 or 1st class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in psychology and/or relevant domain (e.g., sport, physical activity, health, weight management).
• A Merit or Distinction postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in psychology and/or relevant performance domain (e.g., sport, health) and/or research methods (e.g., psychometrics, data analytic techniques, etc).

Evidence of the following is highly desirable:

• High grades in relevant undergraduate and/or postgraduate modules
• Demonstrate expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
• Experience of presenting at international conferences and/or publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Personal and/or professional links with relevant sport, physical activity, or health-promotion organisations

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website

Bench fees required: No

Closing date of advert: 1st April 2027

Start date: July 2026, October 2026, February 2027, July 2027

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Fee band: 2025/26 Band RB (UK £5,006, International £28,600)

How to apply:

All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select Loughborough and select Programme Sport Exercise and Health Sciences. Please quote the advertised reference number SSEHS/GH26 in your application. To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Project search terms:
adult nursing, clinical psychology, community psychology, health psychology, psychology - other, sport psychology

Email Address SSEHS:
ssehs.pgrapplications@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk