News from the Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) Epidemiology. 2026, Issue 1
epigram is the newsletter from Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge – formerly the MRC Epidemiology Unit. See the message below about our change of name.
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From the director
A change in name – and our research continues
Welcome to the latest edition of epigram.
You may well notice a difference in our name: the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit is now Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS) Epidemiology – or IMS Epidemiology for short.
This change follows the Medical Research Council’s decision to no longer directly fund Units. For many years we have been successful in securing a range of investments from the MRC and other funders, meaning that our work continues under our new identity. As a founding member of the Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge, our name and branding now more clearly reflects this established collaboration of scientists and healthcare practitioners seeking to understand and improve health.
Transitions like this are never without challenges. I want to pay tribute to the professionalism of our staff throughout the process, and share my firm conviction in the continued relevance of our research in a rapidly changing world.
Our science remains central to improving the health of populations. We are building understanding of how the interplay of our biology, behaviour and environment can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. We are using that knowledge to inform, develop and evaluate approaches that can improve the lives of people in the UK and around the world.
You will see changes to our websites and other resources, but you can continue to keep up to date with us in the same ways as before. As we begin this new chapter, we hope you will stay connected with us. Your continued interest, dialogue and collaboration are vital to ensuring the relevance and impact of our research.
Professor Nick Wareham, Director IMS Epidemiology
Inside out
The latest research highlights the health implications of high testosterone and the lack of support for weight loss drug users.
The risks of high T
High levels of testosterone in the blood could be a cause of coronary artery disease in men, according to new genetic research led by scientists at IMS Epidemiology.
The research examines the potential long term effects of using testosterone supplements, which are increasing in popularity amongst younger men who want to way to fight ageing, enhance performance, or build strength. Learn more about the research.
Better guidance needed for weight loss drugs for young people
Clinicians can prescribe weight loss drugs for children and young people who have not responded to traditional multidisciplinary care such as nutrition support, physical activity, psychological input, and family-centred behaviour.
In this commentary, researchers from IMS Epidemiology, University of Cambridge, the University of Southampton, and the University College of London discuss their concerns at the lack of paediatric-specific nutritional guidance for children and adolescents using obesity management medications (OMMs). Find out what should happen next.
Weight loss drugs – unintended consequences?
And researchers from IMS Epidemiology are also examining the health concerns users of GLP-1s could face, which in this research focuses on the lack of nutritional guidance.
Led by led by Dr Marie Spreckley, the team has found that people accessing the drugs privately have much less support and nutritional advice than those who’ve been prescribed the drugs through the NHS, which provides wraparound support through reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity programmes. Read more about this research.
Healthy eating, healthy shopping
Understanding why different ethnic groups have differing levels of Thiamine and learning how multibuy food deals impact our health
Ethnic differences in thiamine status
Research shows there are ethnic differences in thiamine (vitamin B1) status. Thiamine is an essential nutrient derived from pulses, nuts, dairy, and which is fortified in white bread flour. And it’s been proven to play an essential role in cognition and mental health.
The IMS Epidemiology research team – Albert Koulman, Kerry Jones, David Collins, Damon Parkington, Birdem Amoutzopoulos, Polly Page, Nita Forouhi – used data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, and found that Black and Asian participants did not consume as much vitamin B1 as White participants. However, the researchers did state this was not enough to explain the difference in status between Black and White participants. Learn why different ethnicities might have different dietary requirements.
Government bans BOGOF … but what next?
The sale of multibuy promotions on unhealthy food were banned in England in October 2025; the Scottish and Welsh governments are to follow suit with similar bans.
Dr Oliver Mytton at University College London (UCL) together with Prof Martin White and Prof Jean Adams at IMS Epidemiology were awarded a grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to understand the impact of voluntary bans that some supermarkets implemented before the national ban in England came into force. The research will provide the opportunity to understand the real-world impacts of stopping the use of special offers. Will banning BOGOFs help us eat better?
The Bradford Hill Seminar series features internationally recognised speakers covering topics of broad interest to our public health research community.
It is brought to you by the Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation
From Plate to Brain: Global Diet, Cognitive Function, and Neuroimaging in Diverse Populations
Professor Sonia Anand, McMaster University
11 June 2026, 15:00
This is a free hybrid event and you are not required to register if you are attending in person. The seminar is being held at Large Seminar Room, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR.
If you are joining us via Zoom, please register here to attend.
Blogging, vlogging, and podding
Through a series of blogs, videos, and The Confidence Interval Podcast, we explore the research happening at IMS Epidemiology. Hearing from our researchers as they talk science, people, and population health.
What’s Up Doc?
This episode of the BBC’s What’s Up Doc podcast asks what is fat and do our bodies need it? IMS Epidemiology’s Professor Nita Forouhi tackles one of nutrition’s complicated topics with Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken; the discussion aims to separate evidence from hype and to offer a clearer way to think about fat, cholesterol, and healthy eating. Listen in here.
The Puberty Puzzle
IMS Epidemiology’s Professor Ken Ong features in a BBC Radio 4 documentary that explores what it means to grow up as a girl in 2026. Girls today are hitting puberty earlier than their parents and grandparents did and the question is why is this happening? Catch up here.
The Confidence Interval
Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, Spotify, and YouTube.
About epigram
epigram is the newsletter for everyone interested in work happening at IMS Epidemiology, University of Cambridge.
We welcome your views on it. Email us at epicomms@ims.cam.ac.uk