2026-27 Project (Mallinson & Kinra & Bowen)

The influence of dietary patterns and physical activity on premature ageing among urbanising communities in India: exploring the mediating roles of obesity, inflammation and gut microbiota

SUPERVISORY TEAM

Supervisor

Dr Poppy Mallinson at LSHTM
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology
Email: poppy.mallinson1@lshtm.ac.uk

Co-Supervisor

Dr Sanjay Kinra at LSHTM
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology
Email: sanjay.kinra@lshtm.ac.uk

Co-Supervisor

Dr Liza Bowen at City St George’s
School of Health & Medical Sciences, Department of Global, Public and Population Health and Policy
Email: lbowen@citystgeorges.ac.uk

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Summary

Rapid urbanisation in India is transforming diets and activity patterns, with rising intake of processed foods and reduced physical activity driving obesity, inflammation and gut microbiome changes. These factors are increasingly linked to premature ageing and earlier onset of age-related diseases. This PhD project offers the chance to explore these public health challenges using the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parent Study (APCAPS), a large intergenerational cohort in Southern India. The successful candidate will conduct a systematic review focussed on determinants of premature ageing in low-resource settings, analyse a large-unique longitudinal data resource, and apply advanced statistical methods including mediation analysis and dietary pattern modelling. They will have opportunities for travel and training based on their needs and interests. Their work will be nested within the AI in Global Health and Healthcare (GH2.AI) group at LSHTM with opportunities to join our journal clubs, retreats and broader collaborative projects.

Project Key Words

urbanisation, diet, activity, ageing, obesity, India

MRC LID Themes

  1. Global Health
  2. Health Data Science

Skills

MRC Core Skills

  1. Quantitative skills

Skills we expect a student to develop/acquire whilst pursuing this project:

  • Quantitative analysis – regression, mediation analysis, clustering analysis, gut microbiome data analysis
  • International collaboration skills
  • Academic communication skills (presentation and writing)

Routes

Which route/s are available with this project?

  • 1+4 = Yes
  • +4 = Yes

Possible Master’s programme options identified by supervisory team for 1+4 applicants:

  • LSHTM – MSc Epidemiology
  • LSHTM – MSc Health Data Science
  • LSHTM – MSc Medical Statistics

Full-time/Part-time Study

Is this project available for full-time study? Yes
Is this project available for part-time study? Yes

Location & Travel

Students funded through MRC LID are expected to work on site at their primary institution. At a minimum, all students must meet the institutional research degree regulations and expectations about onsite working and under this scheme they may be expected to work onsite (in-person) more frequently. Students may also be required to travel for conferences (up to 3 over the duration of the studentship), and for any required training for research degree study and training. Other travel expectations and opportunities highlighted by the supervisory team are noted below.

Day-to-day work (primary location) for the duration of this research degree project will be at: LSHTM – Bloomsbury, London

Travel requirements for this project: None required  – but successful candidates will have the option of visiting research sites in India to understand the context and perform data quality checks.

Eligibility/Requirements

Particular prior educational requirements for a student undertaking this project

  • Minimum standard institutional eligibility criteria for doctoral study at LSHTM
  • The student should have a masters or equivalent experience (or expect to obtain this if doing the 1+4 route) in epidemiology or biostatistical data analysis.

Other useful information

  • Potential Industrial CASE (iCASE) conversion? = No

PROJECT IN MORE DETAIL

Scientific description of this research project

Rapid urbanisation in India is bringing lifestyle shifts such as greater intake of sugars, fats, and ultra-processed foods alongside reduced physical activity. These changes are closely linked to obesity, chronic inflammation, and disruptions to the gut microbiome, factors increasingly recognised as accelerating ageing and triggering earlier onset of age-related diseases. Understanding how these urban lifestyle patterns affect health in Indian communities is critical for developing interventions that can curb the rise of diet-related chronic disease and reduce the future burden on health systems.

The objectives of this PhD project are:

  1. To investigate the association of dietary patterns and physical activity levels with premature ageing among urbanising communities in India
  2. To understand the mediating roles of obesity, inflammation and gut microbiota composition and function in the development of premature ageing within these populations

Techniques to be used:

  • The student will begin by conducting a systematic review of studies linking diet, activity and obesity to healthy ageing in low- and middle-income countries to inform generation of specific hypotheses and methodology.  
  • The analytical objectives of the project will then be addressed through secondary data analysis of a long-term cohort study which has been collected by the supervisory team. The Andhra Pradesh Children and Parent Study (APCAPS) is a large prospective, intergenerational cohort study in Southern India that began with the long-term follow-up of the Hyderabad Nutrition Trial (1987-1990). It is situated in 29 villages near the city of Hyderabad in Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh.  
  • Statistical approaches to be applied to this dataset include multiple regression modelling, mediation analysis and factor analysis (for deriving dietary patterns). 
  • Analysis of the microbial composition of existing stool samples will be conducted in a subset (outsourced to a local lab in India) to explore the mediating role of gut microbial changes in premature ageing.

Confirmed availability of any required databases or specialist materials:
This project will involve analysing a large a cohort study that has been collected by the project supervisors. All data has already been collected and access is confirmed.

Potential risks to the project and plans for their mitigation:
Minimal risks foreseen. The student will generate new microbiome data on a sub-sample which will be outsourced to an experienced local lab; in case of any issues with this objective there is abundant existing data and related research questions that could be addressed.

Further reading

Relevant preprints and/or open access articles:
(DOI = Digital Object Identifier)

Other pre-application materials: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres-projects-groups/apcaps

Additional information from the supervisory team

The supervisory team has provided a recording for prospective applicants who are interested in their project. This recording should be watched before any discussions begin with the supervisory team.

Mallinson & Kinra & Bowen Recording

MRC LID LINKS

To apply for a studentship: MRC LID How to Apply
Full list of available projects: MRC LID Projects
For more information about the DTP: MRC LID About Us

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