Research & Action on Salt & Obesity

This unit is a multi-disciplinary research team which conducts translational research to reduce dietary salt, sugar and saturated fat consumption across the whole population, and so prevent hypertension, obesity, type II diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart failure and cancer. The unit's aim is to improve population health and food environments through their research and impact on the nutritional quality of food and drink. With a track record of success in reducing salt and sugar they inform policy, influence the food industry, raise awareness and build advocacy. The unit’s research findings have been instrumental in the development and implementation of the UK’s salt reduction and obesity prevention programmes, which are now being copied around the world. The unit also carries out various research and public health programmes to reduce salt intake in several low- and middle-income countries, e.g. China, Malaysia. The unit comprises research fellows, nutritionists and PhD students, and the registered charities Consensus Action on Salt, Sugar and Health, and Blood Pressure UK.