Early Life Nutrition and Disease

This programme investigates the impact of diet in early life on later health and disease based in the Division of Child Health. It undertakes endocrine, metabolic and molecular studies in order to measure the impact of maternal diet on the physiology of pregnancy plus foetal and postnatal growth in both humans and a range of animal models. These have identified candidate mediators and mechanisms for early life programming and how they may influence later energy balance; research thus examines nutritional interventions designed to prevent adverse adipose tissue development and later hypertension; the research group is also conducting novel studies examining the impact of environmental challenges during pregnancy, lactation or juvenile life in order to establish the short and long-term health outcomes, together with the extent to which risk of later obesity can be programmed in early life.

The International Office is the main place for international students to visit when they arrive at the university. It is staffed by a dedicated team of advisors that are there to help with the many issues that can arise from living and studying in a different country. They can help with matters such as immigration and visas, financial advice and family concerns. They are also on hand for matters such as employment and academic difficulties. They organise regular events and even trips to allow students from outside the UK to make the most of their time in the country and to see all that the UK has to offer. There is even help and advice for after studies have finished and students are looking for work. The Students Union are responsible for the organisation of some 190 student clubs and societies along with some 75 sports clubs. There is a student run newspaper as well as a professional sound and lighting company for events in the area. It holds a regular RAG organisation, the largest outside the US, which raises over £1 million each year for good causes. There is a Student Volunteer Centre and an international volunteering project as well as working in the larger community.