What is your current job title and current role?
I have spent the last five years working as a Specialist Diabetes Dietitian and Research Dietitian at Wythenshawe Hospital.

The Research Dietitians at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust have developed an innovative and effective weight loss plan known as the 5:2 diet, a form of intermittent dieting. The diet involves two days of very low calorie intake and five days of normal eating, originally developed for weight control to prevent breast cancer. 

Research summary
I propose to gather preliminary evidence of the safety and acceptability of low calorie diets in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). The research has the potential to benefit patients who are keen to try these approaches to help them lose weight and improve their blood sugar control.  It will also help me to pursue my aim of being a researcher in diets for diabetes and will increase the profile for dietary management and dietary research within MFT. 

Approximately 400,000 people live with T1D in the UK, with rates increasing by 4% annually. Weight loss with T1D is challenging, requiring modification of insulin, increased blood sugar monitoring, and risk of very low blood sugar.  Ideally people with T1D would have a choice of safe and effective methods of weight loss, so they can choose one most suitable for them. The widespread interest in 5:2 diets and daily low calorie diets (very low calorie intake daily for 8-12 weeks or longer) means that there are an increasing number of patients with T1D asking healthcare professionals for advice and support to follow these diets. However, it is not yet possible to provide this advice due to minimal evidence of their safety, acceptability and efficacy.

How are you currently involved in research in your job role?
I played a key role in designing and delivering the Manchester Intermittent versus Daily Diet Diabetes App Study (MIDDAS), this was a pilot randomised control trial comparing the efficacy and acceptability of intermittent versus daily low calorie diets in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) incorporating telephone and/or smartphone app follow up. The findingsillustrate that intermittent diets may be an alternative to daily low calorie diets for weight loss and improved blood sugar control in patients with T2D.

The Research Dietitians at Wythenshawe Hospital (lead by Dr Michelle Harvie) have established a centre of expertise on the use of the intermittent diets for weight loss. Following publication of the MIDDAS study in patients with T2D, we are planning to run a larger multicentre RCT comparing intermittent and daily low calorie diets in patients with T2D and a study of intermittent low calorie diets in women with gestational diabetes. This will raise the profile of MFT as a centre of research excellence, particularly in the area of intermittent diets and diabetes, contributing to the high profile area of T2D remission.