Dr. Janice Thompson
Professor, University of Birmingham, UK
“Obesity Wars: Exercise vs. Diet”

Dr. Thompson is currently Professor of Public Health Nutrition and Exercise, Director of Research and Deputy Head of School in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK. Janice’s research interests include working with high-risk groups in community-based settings to examine the determinants of physical activity and healthy eating amongst individuals and families. 

She applies these findings to the development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally-tailored interventions to reduce obesity, physical inactivity, and the subsequent risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Her research focuses on humans across their lifespan, with particular interests in applying mixed methods to enhance our ability to promote healthy and active aging. 

In 2008, Dr. Thompson was awarded a University of Bristol Engagement Award for her community-based research activities. 

She is a Fellow and past Vice President of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), a Scientific Committee member of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Associate Editor for the journal Public Health Nutrition, and has authored four nutrition textbooks in addition to more than 100 scientific publications. 

In 2015, she was awarded the ACSM Citation Award in recognition of her significant contributions to research and scholarship, administrative and educational services in exercise science.