Dimitrios Koutoukidis
RD PhD MSc AFHEA
Associate Professor
- NIHR Advanced Fellow
- NIHR Oxford BRC Senior Research Fellow
Diet, Obesity, and Behavioural Sciences
I am a clinical academic dietitian and trialist whose research focuses on intentional weight loss as a therapeutic and preventive strategy for obesity-related diseases, particularly cancer.
My research has generated rigorous evidence addressing long-standing uncertainty about the role of intentional weight loss in selected obesity-related disease areas. It has demonstrated that structured weight loss interventions can be safe, clinically effective and cost-effective. I have led multi-centre randomised controlled trials within the NHS evaluating low-energy total diet replacement programmes prior to cancer surgery. We have also examined weight regain following GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, highlighting the importance of integrating pharmacological and behavioural approaches to optimise long-term outcomes.
Prior to this, I established intentional weight loss as a clinically meaningful treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) through influential systematic reviews, translational collaborations and clinical trials. My research has informed international clinical guidelines. Across my programme, I bring together behavioural science, clinical trials and epidemiological research to address obesity as a modifiable driver of chronic disease risk.
Alongside research leadership, I am committed to developing research capacity and strengthening research culture. I supervise doctoral and pre-doctoral students, serve on the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research funding panel, and contribute to public engagement activities.
My research has generated rigorous evidence addressing long-standing uncertainty about the role of intentional weight loss in selected obesity-related disease areas. It has demonstrated that structured weight loss interventions can be safe, clinically effective and cost-effective. I have led multi-centre randomised controlled trials within the NHS evaluating low-energy total diet replacement programmes prior to cancer surgery. We have also examined weight regain following GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, highlighting the importance of integrating pharmacological and behavioural approaches to optimise long-term outcomes.
Prior to this, I established intentional weight loss as a clinically meaningful treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) through influential systematic reviews, translational collaborations and clinical trials. My research has informed international clinical guidelines. Across my programme, I bring together behavioural science, clinical trials and epidemiological research to address obesity as a modifiable driver of chronic disease risk.
Alongside research leadership, I am committed to developing research capacity and strengthening research culture. I supervise doctoral and pre-doctoral students, serve on the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research funding panel, and contribute to public engagement activities.
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