Lena Acolatse
- Position: Research Officer
- Areas of expertise: International Nutrition; Childhood Obesity, Food Portion Size, Food Choice; Eating Behaviour; Parental influence on child food decisions
- Email: L.Acolatse@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: School of Food Science and Nutrition
- Website: LinkedIn
Profile
With over six years of international nutrition research experience, I am a passionate and award-winning researcher who aims to improve children's food choices and health outcomes. Currently, I conduct research on food choice in children in low- and middle-income countries and how to strategically intervene to enhance their dietary behaviours while in school.
My research interests include investigating childhood obesity with a specific focus on the effects of external agents on child food portion size and subsequent food consumption. I have developed strong skills in cognitive and behavioural assessments, nutrition and anthropometric measurements, and the analysis of large national datasets using various tools and methods. I have published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international conferences, and received the Nutrition Society Postgraduate Award in 2022. I am interested in the different pathways and actors that influence children's development and how to leverage them for positive impact.
Qualifications
- PhD Life and Health Sciences (specific focus on applied nutrition research in children)
- MSc Nutrition and Rural Development (Public Health)
- BSc Food Science and Nutrition
Professional memberships
- Nutrition Society
- Association for the Study of Obesity
- Associate Fellow - Advance Higher Education Academy