Personal profile
Biography
I am a Public Health Nutritionist and Dietitian with extensive experience in designing, implementing and evaluating lifestyle intervention trials whilst based at the Universities of Cambridge, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee. My training (BSc, SRD, PhD) spans biological aspects of nutrition as well as behavioural, social and cultural dimensions.
Research
My main interests lie in understanding factors that influence the promotion of lifestyle change (principally diet and obesity) and the impact of theory based, behaviourally focused dietary and obesity interventions (policy, practice and individual) in relation to disease risk reduction. Since 1990 I have attained 68 grants, (35 of which has been as principal investigator). Funding sources have included MRC, ESRC, BBSRC, CRUK, WCRF, Scottish Government, Department of Health England and the UK Food Standards Agency.
Teaching
I am the BDA representative on the Academy of Medical Sciences Inter-Collegiate group on Nutrition(ICGN) working on designing and delivering nutrition teaching to medical undergraduates and in post graduate training. Within the Ninewells Medical school I assist in the delivery of a number of SSC’s and undergraduate teaching in GI system, Public Health and Reproductive Health. I also supervise ACT funded staff to match University of Dundee MBChB curriculum with the ICGN curriculum.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Food and Nutrition during Pregnancy: Attitudes, Knowledge and Practice, University of Aberdeen
Award Date: 1 Jan 1991
Bachelor of Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, Robert Gordon University
Award Date: 1 Jan 1978
Keywords
- RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
- nutrition
- food
- diet
- health
- cancer prevention
- food-policy
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Cardiovascular Research: From Imaging to Population Health TICR 2018
Anderson, A. (Investigator), Belch, J. (Investigator), Choy, A.-M. (Investigator), George, J. (Investigator), Houston, G. (Investigator), Khan, F. (Investigator) & Lang, C. (Investigator)
12/11/18 → 11/08/26
Project: Research
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The Impact Of The ActWELL Intervention On Weight Management During The COVID 19 Pandemic - Work Package 3 (Joint with University Of Aberdeen)
Anderson, A. (Investigator)
2/05/22 → 1/10/25
Project: Research
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An Assessment Of The Role Of Parental Networks On Uptake Of School Meals (Lead : UoD, other instns: Glasgow University, NHST)
Anderson, A. (Investigator) & Zaremba, S. (Investigator)
1/08/21 → 30/09/22
Project: Research
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Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of an Automated Text Message Intervention for Weight Management in Postpartum Women with Overweight or Obesity: The Supporting MumS (SMS) Randomised Controlled Trial (joint with Queens University of Belfast, University of New Brunswick, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, University of Stirling, University of Glasgow, Cardiff University and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
Anderson, A. (Investigator)
1/07/21 → 30/04/25
Project: Research
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Living Well after Cancer – Supporting Weight Management
Anderson, A. (Investigator)
1/12/19 → 30/04/20
Project: Research
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European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition – diet, excess body weight, physical activity, sedentary behavior, breastfeeding, and cancer
Leitzmann, M. F. (Lead / Corresponding author), Bakogianni, I., Anderson, A. S., Bauld, L., Fernandez, E., Morris, S., Srour, B., Vardavas, C., Vlad, I., Vuik, S., Weijenberg, M., Figuls, M. R. I., Rigau, D., Feliu, A., Zeeb, H., Schüz, J., D'Souza, E., Ritchie, D., Espina, C. & Riboli, E., 16 Jan 2026, In: Molecular Oncology. 20, 1, p. 28-48 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)5 Downloads (Pure) -
European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition – tobacco and nicotine containing products, second-hand smoke, alcohol and cancer
Feliu, A. (Lead / Corresponding author), Anderson, A. S., Bauld, L., Fernández, E., Leitzmann, M., Morris, S., Srour, B., Vardavas, C., Vlad, I., Vuik, S., Weijenberg, M., Alvarado-Villacorta, R., Canelo-Aybar, C., Zeeb, H., Schüz, J., D'Souza, E., Ritchie, D., Espina, C., Bakogianni, I. & Riboli, E., Jan 2026, In: Molecular Oncology. 20, 1, p. 6-27 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)5 Downloads (Pure) -
Are there inequalities in the attendance at and effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions for adults in the UK? An individual participant data meta-analysis
Birch, J. M. (Lead / Corresponding author), Mueller, J., Damery, S., Sharp, S. J., Jones, R. A., Kelly, M. P., Anderson, A. S., Astbury, N., Aveyard, P., Beeken, R. J., Craigie, A., Greaves, C., Jebb, S., McConnachie, A., Nanchahal, K., Stuart, B., White, M., Griffin, S. J. & Ahern, A. L., 7 Aug 2025, In: BMJ Public Health. 3, 2, 13 p., e001382.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Downloads (Pure) -
North of England Women’s Diet and ActivitY - After Breast Cancer (NEWDAY-ABC) intervention in women diagnosed with early oestrogen-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer: a randomised controlled feasibility study
Wilson, C., Pickering, K., Wane, S., Cohen, J., Huang, C., Northgraves, M., Crank, H., Anderson, A., Cain, H., Copeland, R., Gray, J., Hargreaves, J., McNally, R. J. Q. & Saxton, J. M. (Lead / Corresponding author), Dec 2025, In: Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 11, 1, 108.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Downloads (Pure) -
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a 12-month automated text message intervention for weight management in postpartum women with overweight or obesity: protocol for the Supporting MumS (SMS) multisite, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial
Gallagher, D., Spyreli, E., Anderson, A. S., Bridges, S., Cardwell, C. R., Coulman, E., Dombrowski, S. U., Free, C., Heaney, S., Hoddinott, P., Kee, F., McDowell, C., McIntosh, E., Woodside, J. V. & McKinley, M. C. (Lead / Corresponding author), 6 May 2024, In: BMJ Open. 14, 5, 17 p., e084075.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)101 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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A feasibility study into a short course programme on Food Diet and Health in the University of Dundee (up to £10,000)
Anderson, A. S. (Recipient), 1998
Prize: Other distinction
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An examination of Food Policies within the NHS
Anderson, A. S. (Recipient), 1985
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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A nutritional analysis of patient menus (£500)
Anderson, A. S. (Recipient), 1998
Prize: Other distinction
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British Council / CNR Travel Award
Anderson, A. S. (Recipient), 1992
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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British Council / LINK scheme with Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Anderson, A. S. (Recipient), 2001
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
Activities
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Norwegian Cancer Society Research Committee (External organisation)
Anderson, A. (Chair)
2021 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee
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UK Society for Behavioural Medicine (UKSBM) (External organisation)
Anderson, A. (Member)
2021 → 2022Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
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NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) including Behavioural Risk Factors Consortium. (External organisation)
Anderson, A. (Member)
2021Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee
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Breast Cancer Now Science Strategy Committee (External organisation)
Anderson, A. (Member)
2021 → 2023Activity: Membership types › Membership of committee
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Scottish Government Steering Group on Cancer Prehabilitation Implementation (External organisation)
Anderson, A. (Chair)
2020 → 2023Activity: Membership types › Membership of group
Press/Media
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£5million for European football fans to get fit
16/10/13
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research