Dr Gail Rees

Biography

Head of School

Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition
Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Nutrition, Exercise and Health

Qualifications

B.Sc. (Hons) Nutrition: King's College London
PGdip Dietetics: King's College London
Ph.D Human Nutrition: South Bank University, London
PGcert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Professional membership

British Dietetic Association
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, Registered Dietitian)
Nutrition Society
Association for Nutrition (Registered Nutritionist)

Teaching

Teaching interests

Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Nutrition, Exercise and Health. This programme is accredited with the Association for Nutrition.
Main teaching areas: Nutrition research methods; assessment of nutritional status; obesity and diet related disease, nutrition and the life cycle
First year: Introduction to Human Nutrition
Second year: Nutritional Science - professional issues and nutrition through the lifecycle
Final Year: Sports Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition and Contemporary Issues in Human Health

Research

Research interests

Current research projects focus on dietary interventions to improve nutrition in women during pregnancy and young children. Management of obesity during pregnancy and childhood are of particular interest. Other areas of interest include vitamin D status in women and children, levels of supplementation and the link between low vitamin D status and obesity. Public health nutrition, particularly school food policy, is also an on-going research interest.

Other research

Conference abstracts / posters
Brough L and Rees G (2005) Changes in iron status throughout pregnancy in an ethnically diverse population. Proc. Nut. Soc. 64, 83A.

Surujlal-Harry A, Rees GA, Bakhshi S and Baker A (2005) Ethnic differences in fruit, vegetable and cereal consumption in girls aged 14-15 years. Proc. Nut. Soc. 64, 63A

Baker, A., Bakhshi, S., Surujlal-Harry, A., and Rees, G. (2005). The efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting dietary behaviour for different foods in different groups. Psychology and Health, 20 (1), 19.

Bakhshi, S., Baker, A., Surujlal-Harry, A., and Rees, G. (2005). Gender differences in weight loss behaviour and beliefs in ethnic minority adolescents. Psychology and Health, 20 (1), 19-20.

Brough L, Rees GA, Crawford MA, Timms P, Venton T. (2006) Maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy in an ethnically diverse population. Proc. Nut. Soc. 65, 35A

Surujlal-Harry A, Rees GA, Bakhshi S and Baker A (2006) Ethnic differences between questionnaire-reported and three-day dietary recall estimations of fruit and vegetable consumption in girls aged 12-16 years. Proc. Nut. Soc. 65, 45A

Rees GA, Richards CJ and Gregory J (2007) Nutrient intake at lunchtime of primary school children in Cornwall: a comparison of school meals and packed lunches. Proc. Nut. Soc. 66, 101A

Rees GA, Brough L, Crawford MA (2008) Maternal BMI and infant anthropometrics in a multi-ethnic community. Proc. Nut. Soc. 67, on-line.

Rees G, Bennett S, Colleypriest O, Ellis L, Porter J, Stenhouse E (2009) The prevalence of overweight and obesity in early pregnancy and the incidence of gestational diabetes. Diabetes UK.

Stenhouse E, Woodhouse D, Bowden R, Wake K and Rees GA. (2010) Opportunities to diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in women with a history of gestational diabetes: the post partum oral glucose tolerance tests. Diabetes UK

Ahmed WA, Rees GA and de Looy A (2012) Seasonal variation in vitamin D status in overweight and obese people of Iraqi and Caucasian Decent. Nutrition Society, Belfast, July 2012.

Ohly H, Pealing J, Hayter A, Watt R, Rees GA (2012) Parental Food involvement predicts children’s diet quality. Nutrition Society, Belfast, July 2012.

Hazeldine, E.; Rees, G. & Stenhouse, E. (2013). Reducing the risk of gestational diabetes by controlling gestational weight gain in obese, pregnant women: using the theory of planned behaviour. Diabetic Medicine, 30(s1), 177.

Watt R, Hayter A, Ohly H, Pikhart H, Draper A, Crawley H, McGlone P, Cooke L, Moore L, Pettinger C, Rees G (2013) An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a public health nutritional intervention delivered in children's centres in Islington and Cornwall. The Lancet Public Health Science, November, p100

Alkutbe RB, Rees GA, de Looy A (2015) Energy and nutrient intake, and number of steps taken per day according to body mass index of girls aged 8-11 years in Saudi Arabia. Nutrition Society, Nottingham, July 2015.

Redfern K, Rees GA, Pinkney J, (2017) The effect of timing and composition of gestational weight gain in obese pregnant women on infant birth weight: A prospective cohort study. European Congress on Obesity 2017, Porto, Portugal, 17 May 2017 - 20 May 2017

K.M. Redfern, G.A. Rees, J.H. Pinkney. (2019) Mid-pregnancy changes in maternal upper body subcutaneous fat assessed using skinfold measurements and oral glucose tolerance test results amongst women with obesity in the UK. European Congress on Obesity 2019, Glasgow 29 April - 1 May 2019.

R.B. Alkutbe, K.M. Redfern, V. M. Cammack, G.A. Rees. (2019) The effect of nutrient-extraction blender preparation of fruit on postprandial glucose response in overweight and obese adults. European Congress on Obesity 2019, Glasgow 29 April - 1 May 2019.

Grants & contracts

2009-2012 Department of Health (in collaboration with UCL): Exploratory and developmental trial of a family centred nutrition intervention delivered in Children's Centres and the home environment

2015/16 Nestle Institute of Health Services

Dietary analysis for the Earlybird cohort study

2018/19 Fareed M. Jamjom specialist company Ltd

The effect of nutrient-extraction blender preparation of fruit on postprandial glucose response in healthy weight and obese adults

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

Redfern KM, Hollands HJ, Welch CR, Pinkney JH, Rees GA (2022) Dietary intakes of folate, vitamin D and iodine during the first trimester of pregnancy and the association between supplement use and demographic characteristics amongst white Caucasian women living with obesity in the UK. Nutrients, 14, 5135. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235135

Rees G, Brough L, Moya Orsatti G, Lodge A, Walker S (2022) Do Micronutrient and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Affect Human Maternal Immunity during Pregnancy? A Scoping Review. Nutrients, 14, 367. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14020367

Galali, Y, Rees, G, Kuri, V (2022) The Impact of Waxy Wheat Flour, Inulin and Guar Gum on Post- prandial Glycaemic and Satiety Indices, Sensory Attributes and Shelf Life of Tandoori and Pita Breads. Appl. Sci., 12, 3355. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12073355

Galali, Y, Rees, G, Kuri, V (2021) Study the influence of waxy wheat flour, inulin and guar gum on quality and microstructure of Pita and Tandoori breads: Response surface methodology aids functional food development. Journal of Food Science and Technology 2021,1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13197-021-05147-9

Alkutbe RB, Alruban A, Alturki H, Sattar A, Al-Hazzaa H, Rees G. (2021) Fat mass prediction equations and reference ranges for Saudi Arabian Children aged 8–12 years using machine technique method. PeerJ 9:e10734 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10734

Redfern KM, Hollands HJ, Hosking J, Welch CR, Pinkney JH, Rees GA (2021) The relationship between gestational weight gain, maternal upper-body subcutaneous fat changes and infant birth size: A pilot observational study amongst women with obesity. Early Human Development, 154, 105307.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105307

Redfern KM, Hine RS, Hollands HJ, Welch CR, Pinkney JH, Rees GA (2019) Objectively measured sleep duration and plasma glucose values following an oral glucose tolerance test amongst pregnant women with obesity in the UK. Sleep Medicine https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2019.01.017.

Solomi L, Rees GA, Redfern KM (2019) The acute effects of the non-nutritive sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame-K in UK diet cola on glycaemic response. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2019.1585418

Redfern KM, Cammack VL, Sweet N, Preston LA, SoBHCS Student Team, Jarvis MA, and Rees GA (2017) Nutrient-extraction blender preparation reduces postprandial glucose responses from fruit juice consumption. Nutrition & Diabetes 7, e288; doi:10.1038/nutd.2017.36

Al-Kutbe R, Payne A, de Looy A and Rees GA (2017) A comparison of nutritional intake and daily physical activity of girls aged 8-11 years old in Makkah, Saudi Arabia according to weight status. BMC Public Health 17:592 DOI 10.1186/s12889-017-4506-2

Redfern K, Rees GA and Pinkney J (2016) Maternal Lifestyle Factors and Fetal Macrosomia Risk: A Review. European Medical Journal of Reproductive Health. 2[1]:52-58.

Hazeldine E, Rees GA, Handy R and Stenhouse E (2016) Managing Obesity In Pregnancy: Are Psychological Dimensions of Behavioural Change Important to Midwives and Women? Journal of Research in Obesity. Article ID 792362, DOI: 10.5171/2016.792362

Hayter, A.K.M., Draper, A.K., Ohly, H.R., Rees, G.A., Pettinger, C., McGlone, P., et al. (2015), A qualitative study exploring parental accounts of feeding pre-school children in two low-income populations in the UK. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 11: 371-384

Rees GA (2014) Preconception and pregnancy in Manual of Dietetic Practice, Fifth Edition. Edited by Joan Gandy. Wiley Blackwell

Watt R, Draper, A; Ohly, H; Rees, G; Pikhart, H; Cooke, L; Moore, L; Crawley, H; Pettinger, C; McGlone, P; Hayter, A (2014) Methodological development of an exploratory randomised controlled trial of an early years’ nutrition intervention: Cherry (Choosing Healthy Eating when Really Young). Maternal Child Nutrition. 10, 280–294

Ahmed WA, Al-Murrani W, Kuri V, Rees GA (2013): Vitamin D Intake and Other Risk Factors for Vitamin D Insufficiency in Middle Eastern People Living in the UK: A Comparison of Cultural and Ethnic Groups. Ecology of Food and Nutrition,52:3, 191-202

Ohly H, Hayter A, Pettinger C, Pikhart H, Watt R, Rees GA (2013) Developing a nutrition intervention in children's centres: exploring views of parents in rural/urban settings in the UK. Public Health Nutrition. 16, 1516-1521

Ohly H, Pealing J, Hayter AK, Pettinger C, Pikhart H, Watt RG, Rees GA (2013) Parental food involvement predicts parent and child intakes of fruits and vegetables. Appetite 69:8-14.

Ahmed W, Al-Murrani, W, Rees GA (2012) Underreporting of Energy Intake in Iraqi People Living in the UK According to Body Weight. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 3; 3; 317-321. DOI: 10.4236/fns.2012.33046

Rees G.A., Porter J., Bennett S., Colleypriest O., Ellis L. & Stenhouse E. (2012) The validity and reliability of weight and height measurements and body mass index calculations in early pregnancy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 25, 117–120

Brough L, Rees GA, Crawford MA, Morton H, Dorman, E (2010) Effect of multiple-micronutrient supplementation on maternal nutrient status, infant birth weight and gestational age at birth in a low income multi-ethnic population. British Journal of Nutrition. 104, 437–445.

Articles

Redfern K, Hollands HJ, Welch CR, Pinkney JH & Rees GA (2022) 'Dietary Intakes of Folate, Vitamin D and Iodine during the First Trimester of Pregnancy and the Association between Supplement Use and Demographic Characteristics amongst White Caucasian Women Living with Obesity in the UK' Nutrients 14, (23) 5135-5135 Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Galali Y, Rees G & Kuri V (2022) 'The Impact of Waxy Wheat Flour, Inulin and Guar Gum on Post-Prandial Glycaemic and Satiety Indices, Sensory Attributes and Shelf Life of Tandoori and Pita Breads' Applied Sciences 12, (7) , DOI Open access

Rees G, Brough L, Orsatti GM, Lodge A & Walker S (2022) 'Do Micronutrient and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Affect Human Maternal Immunity during Pregnancy? A Scoping Review' Nutrients 14, (2) 367-367 , DOI Open access

Galali Y, Rees G & Kuri V (2021) 'Study the influence of waxy wheat flour, inulin and guar gum on quality and microstructure of Pita and Tandoori breads: response surface methodology aids functional food development' Journal of Food Science and Technology 59, (4) 1372-1383 , DOI Open access

Alkutbe RB, Alruban A, Alturki H, Sattar A, Al-Hazzaa H & Rees G (2021) 'Fat mass prediction equations and reference ranges for Saudi Arabian Children aged 8–12 years using machine technique method' PeerJ 9, 0-0 , DOI Open access

Redfern KM, Hollands HJ, Hosking J, Welch CR, Pinkney JH & Rees GA (2021) 'The relationship between gestational weight gain, maternal upper-body subcutaneous fat changes and infant birth size: a pilot observational study amongst women with obesity' Early Human Development 154, (0) 105307-105307 , DOI Open access

Alkutbe R, Redfern K, Jarvis M & Rees G (2020) 'Nutrient Extraction Lowers Postprandial Glucose Response of Fruit in Adults with Obesity as well as Healthy Weight Adults' Nutrients 12, (3) 766-766 , DOI Open access

Solomi L, Rees G & Redfern KM (2019) 'The acute effects of the non-nutritive sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame-K in UK diet cola on glycaemic response' International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Redfern KM, Hine R, Hollands H, Welch CR, Pinkney J & Rees G (2019) 'Objectively measured sleep duration and plasma glucose values following an oral glucose tolerance test amongst pregnant women with obesity in the UK' Sleep Medicine , DOI Open access

Redfern KM, Cammack VM, Sweet N, Preston, SoBHCS Student Team, Jarvis M & Rees G (2017) 'Nutrient-extraction blender preparation reduces postprandial glucose responses from fruit juice consumption' Nutrition and Diabetes 7, Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Al-Kutbe R, Payne A, de Looy A & Rees GA (2017) 'A comparison of nutritional intake and daily physical activity of girls aged 8-11 years old in Makkah, Saudi Arabia according to weight status' BMC Public Health , DOI Open access

Redfern KM, Rees GA & Pinkney JH (2016) 'Maternal Lifestyle Factors and Fetal Macrosomia Risk: A Review' EMJ Reproductive Health Publisher Site Open access

Alkutbe RB, Rees GA & de Looy A (2015) 'Energy and nutrient intake, and number of steps taken per day according to body mass index of girls aged 8–11 years in Saudi Arabia' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 74, (OCE5) , DOI

Watt RG, Draper A, Ohly HR, Rees GA, Pikhart H, Cooke L, Moore L, Crawley H, Pettinger C & McGlone P (2014) 'Methodological development of an exploratory randomised controlled trial of an early years’ nutrition intervention: Cherry (Choosing Healthy Eating when Really Young)' Maternal Child Nutrition 10, 280-294

Ohly H, Pealing J, Hayter AKM, Pettinger C, Pikhart H, Watt RG & Rees G (2013) 'Parental food involvement predicts parent and child intakes of fruits and vegetables' Appetite 69, 8-14 , DOI

Ohly HR, Hayter A, Pettinger C, Pikhart H, Watt RG & Rees GA (2013) 'Developing a nutrition intervention in children's centres: exploring views of parents in rural/urban settings in the UK' Public Health Nutr 16, (8) 1516-1521 Author Site , DOI

Ohly H, Pealing J, Hayter AK, Pettinger C, Pikhart H, Watt RG & Rees GA (2013) 'Parental food involvement predicts parent and child intakes of fruits and vegetables' Appetite 69, 8-14

Hayter AKM, Draper AK, Ohly HR, Rees GA, Pettinger C, McGlone P & Watt RG (2013) 'A qualitative study exploring parental accounts of feeding pre-school children in two low-income populations in the UK' Maternal and Child Nutrition doi: 10.1111/mcn.12017,

Ahmed WA, Al-Murrani W, Kuri V & Rees GA (2013) 'Vitamin D Intake and Other Risk Factors for Vitamin D Insufficiency in Middle Eastern People Living in the UK: A Comparison of Cultural and Ethnic Groups' ECOLOGY OF FOOD AND NUTRITION 52, (3) 191-202 Author Site , DOI

Rees GA, Porter J, Bennett S, Colleypriest O, Ellis L & Stenhouse E (2012) 'The validity and reliability of weight and height measurements and body mass index calculations in early pregnancy' J Hum Nutr Diet 25, (2) 117-120 Author Site , DOI

Ahmed W, Al-Murrani W & Rees GA (2012) 'Underreporting of Energy Intake in Iraqi People Living in the UK According to Body Weight' Food and Nutrition Sciences 3, (3) 317-321

Ohly H, Pealing J, Hayter A, Watt R & Rees G (2012) 'Parental food involvement predicts children's diet quality' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 71, (OCE2) , DOI

Ahmed WA, Rees GA & de Looy A (2012) 'Seasonal variation in vitamin D status in overweight and obese people of Iraqi and Caucasian descent' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 71, (OCE2) , DOI

Rees GA, Bakhshi S, Surujlal-Harry A, Stasinopolous M & Baker A (2010) 'A computerised tailored intervention for increasing intakes of fruit, vegetables, brown bread and wholegrain cereals in adolescent girls' Public Health Nutrition 13, (8) 1271-1278 , DOI

Rees G, Bakhshi S, Surujlal-Harry A, Stasinopoulos M & Baker A (2010) 'A computerised tailored intervention for increasing intakes of fruit, vegetables, brown bread and wholegrain cereals in adolescent girls' Public Health Nutrition 13, (8) 1271-1278 , DOI

Brough L, Rees GA, Crawford MA, Morton RH & Dorman EK (2010) 'Effect of multiple-micronutrient supplementation on maternal nutrient status, infant birth weight and gestational age at birth in a low-income, multi-ethnic population' BRIT J NUTR 104, (3) 437-445 , DOI

Brough L, Rees GA, Crawford MA & Dorman EK (2009) 'Social and ethnic differences in folic acid use preconception and during early pregnancy in the UK: effect on maternal folate status' JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 22, (2) 100-107 Author Site , DOI

Rees GA, Richards CJ & Gregory J (2008) 'Food and nutrient intakes of primary school children: a comparison of school meals and packed lunches' Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 21, (5) 420-427 , DOI

Rees GA, Brough L & Crawford MA (2008) 'Maternal BMI and infant anthropometrics in a multi-ethnic community' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 67, (OCE9) , DOI

Rees GA, Richards CJ & Gregory J (2007) 'Nutrient intakes at lunchtime of primary-school children in Cornwall: a comparison of school meals and packed lunches' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 66, 101A-101A

Rees (2005) 'The nutrient intake of mothers of low birth weight babies - a comparison of ethnic groups' Maternal and Child Nutrition 1 (2), 91-99 , DOI

Rees GA, Davies GJ, Thompson RPH, Parker M & Liepins P (2005) 'A randomised controlled trial of a fibre supplement on the symptoms of IBS' J Roy. Soc. Prom. Health 125, (1) 30-34

Bakhshi S, Baker A, Surujlal-Harry A & Rees G (2005) 'Gender differences in weight loss behaviour and beliefs in ethnic minority adolescents' Psychology & Health 20, 19-20

Baker A, Bakhshi S, Surujlal-Harry A & Rees G (2005) 'The efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting dietary behaviour for different foods in different groups' Psychology & Health 20, 19-19

Rees G, Brooke Z, Doyle W & Costeloe K (2005) 'The nutritional status of women in the first trimester of pregnancy attending an inner-city antenatal department in the UK' Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 125, (5) 232-238

Rees G, Davies J, Thompson R, Parker M & Liepins P (2005) 'Randomised-controlled trial of a fibre supplement on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome' The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 125 (1), 30 - 34 , DOI

Rees (2001) 'Maternal malnutrition in the UK and low birth weight' Nutrition and Health 15, 213-218

Rees GA, Davies GJ, Parker M & Trevan M (1994) 'Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Diet of Members of an Irritable Bowel Self-help Group' Journal of the Royal Society of Health 114, (4) 182-187 , DOI

Rees GA, Trevan M & Davies GJ (1994) 'Dietary fibre modification and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome–a review' Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 7, (3) 179-189 , DOI

Conference Papers

Redfern K, Pinkney J & Rees G (2019) 'Mid-pregnancy changes in maternal upper body subcutaneous fat assessed using skinfold measurements and oral glucose tolerance test results amongst women with obesity in the UK' 26th European Congress on Obesity Karger Publishers Open Access 223-223 , DOI Open access

Redfern KM, Rees GA & Pinkney JH (2017) 'The effect of timing and composition of gestational weight gain in obese pregnant women on infant birth weight: A prospective cohort study' European Congress on Obesity 2017 Porto, Portugal 5-/-0/20175-/-0/2017Karger Publishers Open Access 147-148 Publisher Site , DOI Open access

Alkutbe R, Rees G & de Looy A (2015) 'Energy and nutrient intake, and number of steps taken per day according to body mass index of girls aged 8–11 years in Saudi Arabia' The future of animal products in the human diet: health and environmental concerns Cambridge University Press (CUP) , DOI

Watt RG, Hayter A, Ohly H, Pikhart H, Draper A, Crawley H, McGlone P, Cooke L, Moore L & Pettinger C (2013) 'An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a public health nutrition intervention delivered in children's centres in Islington and Cornwall' Elsevier BV S100-S100 , DOI

Other Publications

Redfern K (2018) The Timing and Composition of Gestational Weight Gain and the Impact on Neonatal Anthropometry.

Profiles