Title of project

Food preferences and eating behavior traits in relation to body weight regulation and risk of diabetes in pregnancy and menopause

Abstract

In women, appetite and food preferences fluctuate during different life stages, notably during pregnancy and menopause. These fluctuations may influence eating behaviour traits, weight regulation, as well as metabolic health and risk of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Furthermore, pregnancy and menopause are characterized by hormonal shifts that increase susceptibility to insulin resistance, presenting critical windows for targeted lifestyle interventions. However, this area remains underexplored, especially using objective measures of food preferences such as the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFPQ) and the Steno Biometric Food Preference Task (SBFPT).

This PhD project aims to investigate the relationship between food preferences, eating behaviour traits, and body weight as well as the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy and menopause, using data from three large studies: PRE-STORK (Denmark), SatMap (UK), and NoHoW (UK). The project will include (1) a systematic review on changes in food preferences and eating behaviour in women during pregnancy and menopause; (2) analyses of the effect of weight management interventions/programs on food preferences, appetite and eating behaviour traits in pregnancy and how these appetite-related moderators influence the body weight response and insulin sensitivity to a lifestyle intervention; (3) Investigate the influence of menopausal status on the association of eating behavior traits with body weight and response to weight loss interventions.

The PhD project will advance the understanding of appetite regulation during pivotal transitions points in women’s lives as well as inform the design of targeted lifestyle interventions.