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Exploring How Lifestyle Factors Influence Digital Biomarkers Using Wearable Devices

Loughborough University School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
✓ Fully Funded ⏰ Closing Soon 🎓 Data Science 🎓 Health Informatics machine learning digital health data analysis health informatics health data science digital biomarkers wearable devices

Explore how lifestyle impacts glucose levels using wearable devices and data science. Build models linking diet, activity, and sleep with glucose patterns to reduce diabetes risk. Use cutting-edge machine learning to develop personalized health interventions.

AI-generated overview

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Why This Research Matters

This research could transform how wearable devices are used to support healthy lifestyle changes and reduce type 2 diabetes risk by providing personalized, real-time feedback on metabolic health. The results may inform the design of more effective health technologies and public health strategies to prevent metabolic diseases.

Digital health Physical activity Sedentary behaviour

Project Description

Project Overview

Metabolic health and type 2 diabetes risk are influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and sleep. This project explores how these behaviors affect blood glucose patterns in real-time through wearable devices. There is limited evidence on whether feedback from these devices improves health in people without diabetes.

The PhD will investigate trends between continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data, lifestyle behaviors, diet, and health outcomes to identify patterns that improve metabolic health in healthy adults or those at risk of diabetes.

What You Will Do

You will use data analysis methods including time series analysis (ARIMAX models) and machine learning techniques (random forests, gradient boosting, LSTM models, deep reinforcement learning) to build predictive models and explore relationships between glucose patterns and lifestyle factors. Developing personalized glucose response models to understand who benefits most and what drives sustained behavior change will be a key focus.

Expected Outcomes

The research will elucidate how wearable technology can support lifestyle changes to reduce diabetes risk and improve health by identifying impactful real-time feedback mechanisms and behavior predictors.

Why This Matters

This work addresses a critical gap in evidence on the effectiveness of wearable devices for metabolic health in non-diabetic populations. It has the potential to enhance personalized health interventions, reduce diabetes incidence, and support healthier lifestyles through data-driven insights.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have or expect a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in exercise science, health data science, bioinformatics, or related fields. A relevant Master's degree and/or experience is desirable. Strong coding skills in Python, R, or MATLAB are essential. Experience with machine learning, health data analysis, or behavior change research is valuable. Experience with qualitative or quantitative data collection techniques is beneficial.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted online selecting Loughborough campus and Programme Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Quote reference SSEHS/AK26. For queries, contact ssehs.pgrapplications@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.

Eligibility

UK/Home
EU
International

Supervisor Profile

DA
Dr Andrew Kingsnorth
Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
1372 Citations
13 h-index
Google Scholar

Dr Andrew Kingsnorth is a researcher at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, focusing on digital health, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. His work exploits wearable technology and data science to understand and improve metabolic and physical health. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop personalized lifestyle interventions using wearable data analytics.

Key Publications

2023 875 citations
The prevalence and long-term health effects of Long Covid among hospitalised and non-hospitalised populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2022 57 citations
Sedentary behaviour is associated with heightened cardiovascular, inflammatory and cortisol reactivity to acute psychological stress
2019 56 citations
Examining the use of glucose and physical activity self-monitoring technologies in individuals at moderate to high risk of developing type 2 diabetes: randomized trial
2025 51 citations
The risk of Long Covid symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies
2023 42 citations
Corrigendum to “The prevalence and long-term health effects of long Covid among hospitalised and non-hospitalised populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis”

Research Contributions

Extensive analysis of Long Covid prevalence and long-term health impacts among hospitalised and non-hospitalised populations.
Provides comprehensive evidence shaping healthcare strategies and policies for Long Covid management.
Identification of the association between sedentary behaviour and increased cardiovascular, inflammatory, and cortisol stress responses.
Highlights the health risks of sedentary lifestyles influencing public health recommendations to reduce inactivity.
Evaluation of self-monitoring technologies for glucose and physical activity in preventing type 2 diabetes.
Supports the design of digital health interventions targeting diabetes risk populations.
Investigation into the risk factors and symptomatology of Long Covid through meta-analyses of controlled studies.
Enhances understanding of Long Covid aiding clinical diagnosis and patient care.

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