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Ms Kerry Ann Brown

Research Fellow

Qualifications: BSc (Birmingham), MSc (London)

Email:
Phone: Work: 01483 68 3977
Room no: 09 AC 04

Further information

Biography

Kerry Brown is a Research Fellow and Nutritionist in the Food, Consumer, Behaviour and Health Research Centre (FCBH) and part of the University Food Network. Her background is multi-disciplinary, having obtained degrees in Sport and Exercise Science and Psychology (Birmingham) and Human Nutrition (London).

 

Kerry first joined the University of Surrey in 2004 to work on a project with Dr Julie Barnett titled: Young People and Food - Adolescents’ dietary beliefs and understandings, which was funded by Safefood - food safety promotion board for Ireland. Since then she has worked for a Joint Innovation Fund (JIF) project between Roehampton and Surrey Universities: The role of the home environment in protecting child health  and travelled to New Zealand to work as a researcher in the School of Nursing at Auckland University. She returned to the FCBH team to work on the EC funded FP6 network of excellence: EURRECA (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned) in 2008 through to its completion in 2012. Currently Kerry works on two EC FP7 projects: EuroDISH (food and health research infrastructures in Europe) and CLYMBOL (health related symbols & claims).  

 

Kerry is completing a part time PhD at the University of Surrey by writing a series of journal papers associated with the Safefood and EURRECA projects

Research Interests

Research interests primarily surround public health nutrition. In particular, understanding how to influence dietary change and make effective public health nutrition policies, dietary communications and interventions. Kerry also has a keen interest in the combination of nutrition and physical activity strategies and the use of nutrition in sport.

 

Research History

 

2012 to date University of Surrey. EuroDISH (food and health research infrastructures in Europe) EC funded FP7 co-ordinated action (-add link-). Principle investigator: Dr Lada Timotijevic. CLYMBOL (health related symbols and claims) EC funded FP7 project (-add link-). Principle investigator: Dr Monique Raats.

 

2008 to Jun 2012 University of Surrey. EURRECA (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned) EC funded FP6 network of excellence (-add link-). Principle investigator: Dr Monique Raats. Harmonising nutrient recommendations across Europe with special focus on vulnerable groups and consumer understanding. (European Commission FP6; January 2007 to June 2012)

 

2007 School of Nursing, Auckland University. Ass. Prof. Mary Finlayson Palliative care and mental health.

 

2005-2006 University of Surrey and Roehampton University. JIF The role of the home environment in protecting child health (link). Principle Investigators: Prof. Claus Vogele, Dr Leigh Gibson (both Roehampton) & Prof Jane Ogden (Surrey)

 

2004-2005 University of Surrey. Safefood - food safety promotion board for Ireland, funded project: Young People and Food - Adolescents’ dietary beliefs and understandings (link). Principle Investigator: Dr K Trew (Queens University of Belfast, NI)

 

Consultancy work: 2004-2008 NIAS (Northern Ireland Attitude Survey), Dr Julie Barnett and Prof. Glynis Breakwell.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Brown KA, Hermoso M, Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Lillegaard ITL, Rehurková I, Larrañaga A, Loncarevic-Srmic A, Andersen LF, Ruprich J, Fernández-Celemín L, Raats MM. (2012) 'Consumer involvement in dietary guideline development: opinions from European stakeholders'. Cambridge University Press Public Health Nutrition,
    doi: 10.1017/S1368980012005125
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/732230/

    Abstract

    Objective The involvement of consumers in the development of dietary guidelines has been promoted by national and international bodies. Yet, few best practice guidelines have been established to assist such involvement. Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews explored stakeholders’ beliefs about consumer involvement in dietary guideline development. Setting Interviews were conducted in six European countries: The Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Serbia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Subjects Seventy-seven stakeholders were interviewed. Stakeholders were grouped as government, scientific advisory body, professional and academic, industry or non-government organisations. Response rate ranged from 45%-95%. Results Thematic analysis was conducted with the assistance of NVivo qualitative software (QSR International Pyt Ltd.). Analysis identified two main themes: type of consumer involvement and pros and cons of consumer involvement. Direct consumer involvement (e.g. consumer organisations), in the decision-making process was discussed as a facilitator to guideline communication towards the end of the process. Indirect consumer involvement (e.g. consumer research data), was considered at both the beginning and the end of the process. Cons to consumer involvement included the effect of vested interests on objectivity; consumer disinterest; complications in terms of time, finance and technical understanding. Pros related to increased credibility and trust in the process. Conclusions Stakeholders acknowledged benefits to consumer involvement during the development of dietary guidelines, but remained unclear on the advantage of direct contributions to the scientific content of guidelines. In the absence of established best practice, clarity on the type and reasons for consumer involvement would benefit all actors.

  • Jensen BB, Lähteenmäki L, Grunert KG, Brown KA, Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Shepherd R, Raats MM. (2012) 'Changing micronutrient intake through (voluntary) behaviour change. The case of folate.'. Elsevier Appetite, England: 58 (3), pp. 1014-1022.
    doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2012.03.004
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/663644/

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was to relate behaviour change mechanisms to nutritionally relevant behaviour and demonstrate how the different mechanisms can affect attempts to change these behaviours. Folate was used as an example to illuminate the possibilities and challenges in inducing behaviour change. The behaviours affecting folate intake were recognised and categorised. Behaviour change mechanisms from "rational model of man", behavioural economics, health psychology and social psychology were identified and aligned against folate-related behaviours. The folate example demonstrated the complexity of mechanisms influencing possible behavioural changes, even though this only targets the intake of a single micronutrient. When considering possible options to promote folate intake, the feasibility of producing the desired outcome should be related to the mechanisms of required changes in behaviour and the possible alternatives that require no or only minor changes in behaviour. Dissecting the theories provides new approaches to food-related behaviour that will aid the development of batteries of policy options when targeting nutritional problems.

  • Brown KA, Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Ruprich J, Řehůřková I, Hermoso M, Andersen LF, Lillegaard IT, Fernández-Celemín L, Larrañaga A, Lončarevič-Srmič A, Raats MM. (2011) 'Micronutrient recommendation stakeholders' beliefs on dietary guidelines: a qualitative study across six European countries/regions.'. Eur J Clin Nutr, England: 65 (7), pp. 872-874.
    doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.38
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/25587/

    Abstract

    A range of stakeholders have been involved in the development and implementation of dietary guidelines (DG) across Europe. Seventy-seven semi-structured qualitative interviews explored stakeholders' beliefs of DG in six European countries/regions. A main theme, variation in the interpretation of the term dietary guideline, was identified using thematic analysis. Descriptions of DG varied across stakeholder groups and countries. Reference was made to both food-based and nutrient-based guidelines, including the terms food-based DG and food guides (for example, pyramids), nutrient recommendations, dietary recommendations, dietary reference values and guideline daily amounts. The terminology surrounding DG requires greater clarity. Until that time, stakeholders would benefit from increased awareness of potential misinterpretations and the implications of this on multi-stakeholder, multi-national policy development and implementation.

  • Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Brown K, Shepherd R, Fernández-Celemín L, Dömölki L, Ruprich J, Dhonukshe-Rutten RA, Sonne AM, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Frost-Andersen L, Timmer A, Raats MM. (2011) 'The process of setting micronutrient recommendations: a cross-European comparison of nutrition-related scientific advisory bodies.'. Public Health Nutr, England: 14 (4), pp. 716-728.
    doi: 10.1017/S1368980010002363
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/27634/

    Abstract

    To examine the workings of the nutrition-related scientific advisory bodies in Europe, paying particular attention to the internal and external contexts within which they operate.

  • Brown KA, Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Shepherd R, Lähteenmäki L, Raats MM. (2011) 'A review of consumer awareness, understanding and use of food-based dietary guidelines.'. Br J Nutr, England: 106 (1), pp. 15-26.
    doi: 10.1017/S0007114511000250
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/25586/

    Abstract

    Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) have primarily been designed for the consumer to encourage healthy, habitual food choices, decrease chronic disease risk and improve public health. However, minimal research has been conducted to evaluate whether FBDG are utilised by the public. The present review used a framework of three concepts, awareness, understanding and use, to summarise consumer evidence related to national FBDG and food guides. Searches of nine electronic databases, reference lists and Internet grey literature elicited 939 articles. Predetermined exclusion criteria selected twenty-eight studies for review. These consisted of qualitative, quantitative and mixed study designs, non-clinical participants, related to official FBDG for the general public, and involved measures of consumer awareness, understanding or use of FBDG. The three concepts of awareness, understanding and use were often discussed interchangeably. Nevertheless, a greater amount of evidence for consumer awareness and understanding was reported than consumer use of FBDG. The twenty-eight studies varied in terms of aim, design and method. Study quality also varied with raw qualitative data, and quantitative method details were often omitted. Thus, the reliability and validity of these review findings may be limited. Further research is required to evaluate the efficacy of FBDG as a public health promotion tool. If the purpose of FBDG is to evoke consumer behaviour change, then the framework of consumer awareness, understanding and use of FBDG may be useful to categorise consumer behaviour studies and complement the dietary survey and health outcome data in the process of FBDG evaluation and revision.

  • Timotijevic L, Raats MM, Barnett J, Brown K, Shepherd R, Fernandez L, Domolki L, Ruprich J, Sonne A-M, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Frost-Andersen L, Timmer A. (2010) 'From micronutrient recommendations to policy: consumer and stakeholder involvement'. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION, 64, pp. S31-S37.
    doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.58
  • Brown KA, Ogden J, Vogele C, Gibson EL. (2008) 'The role of parental control practices in explaining children's diet and BMI'. ACADEMIC PRESS LTD ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD APPETITE, 50 (2-3), pp. 252-259.
    doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2007.07.010
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/732625/
  • Ogden J, Karim L, Choudry A, Brown K. (2007) 'Understanding successful behaviour change: the role of intentions, attitudes to the target and motivations and the example of diet'. OXFORD UNIV PRESS HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH, 22 (3), pp. 397-405.
    doi: 10.1093/her/cy1090

Conference papers

  • de Wit L, Timotijevic L, Brown K, Guzzon A, Brito Garcia N, Roszkowski W, Rehurkova I, Sarmant Y, Alevritou E, Haugaard P, Bucchini L, Sonne AM, Hermoso M, Ruprich J, Lahtteenmaki L, Raats M. (2011) 'Selecting options for national nutrition policy: a consideration of scientific evidence and alternative perspectives'. ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, 58, pp. 129-129.
  • Brown K, Timotijevic L, De Wit L, Brito Garcia N, Roszkowski W, Sonne A, Lahteenmaki L, Raats M. (2011) 'Transparency and uncertainty in scientific advisory bodies: five European case studies'. ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, 58, pp. 310-310.
  • Brown KA, et al . (2010) 'A review of consumer awareness, understanding and use of food-based dietary guidelines.'. Porto, Portugal: II World congress in public health nutrition
  • Brown KA, Barnett J. (2009) 'Adolescent body image: A health promotion challenge.'. Lisbon, Portugal: International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity
  • Vogele C, Gibson L, Ogden J, Brown K. (2007) 'Food choice and delay of gratification: An experimental investigation in obese, overweight and normal-weight primary school children'. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY, Budapest, HUNGARY: 15th European Congress on Obesity 31, pp. S117-S117.
  • Brown KA, et al . (2005) 'Adolescent responses to uncertainty in food risk communication.'. Edinburgh, UK: 52nd British Psychology Society Social Psychology Section annual conference

Reports

  • Trew K, Barnett J, Stevenson C, Muldoon O, Breakwell G, Brown KA. (2005) Young People and Food - Adolescents' Dietary Beliefs and Understandings..

Teaching

Occasional lecturer on food-based dietary guidelines for the Nutrition Sciences Public Health Nutrition module within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Affiliations

Registered Associate Nutritionist on the UKVRN, The Association for Nutrition UK

 

UK Nutrition Society member from 2005 until 2011

 

Attended the European Nutrition Leadership Programme 2011 http://www.enlp.eu.com/index.html