Darren Hilliard
@darrenhilliard.bsky.social
Behavioural Science and Data Specialist @ Behavioural Insights Team |📍Delhi | Behavioural science, public health, obesity, loneliness, wellbeing, inequalities, quant methods | Views my own
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
🧵 Can you predict whether behavioral interventions will work in new contexts?
… probably not, right?
In our new paper with @dggoldst.bsky.social @dilipsoman.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social, we dive into how to better understand and improve generalizability. rdcu.be/ewD2z
Summary👇
… probably not, right?
In our new paper with @dggoldst.bsky.social @dilipsoman.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social, we dive into how to better understand and improve generalizability. rdcu.be/ewD2z
Summary👇
Generalizability of choice architecture interventions
Nature Reviews Psychology - Choice architecture interventions (or ‘nudges’) aim to guide behaviour by changing the proximal physical, social or psychological environment. In this...
rdcu.be
July 28, 2025 at 10:53 AM
🧵 Can you predict whether behavioral interventions will work in new contexts?
… probably not, right?
In our new paper with @dggoldst.bsky.social @dilipsoman.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social, we dive into how to better understand and improve generalizability. rdcu.be/ewD2z
Summary👇
… probably not, right?
In our new paper with @dggoldst.bsky.social @dilipsoman.bsky.social @susanmichie.bsky.social, we dive into how to better understand and improve generalizability. rdcu.be/ewD2z
Summary👇
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become central to recent debates around fixing our broken food environment.
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
UPF and HFSS – different labels, same foods?
An analysis of where ultra-processed foods meet those high in fat, sugar and salt
www.nesta.org.uk
April 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become central to recent debates around fixing our broken food environment.
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
Excited to share my blog on how food companies should measure and set targets for the healthiness of their products.
A 🧵 on the benefits of continuous measures of health, over and above binary ones, for reporting and target setting. (1/12)
A 🧵 on the benefits of continuous measures of health, over and above binary ones, for reporting and target setting. (1/12)
How companies should measure and set targets for the healthiness of their products
Food companies should set targets using continuous, kilogram-weighted health measures, rather than relying solely on binary thresholds
www.nesta.org.uk
March 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Excited to share my blog on how food companies should measure and set targets for the healthiness of their products.
A 🧵 on the benefits of continuous measures of health, over and above binary ones, for reporting and target setting. (1/12)
A 🧵 on the benefits of continuous measures of health, over and above binary ones, for reporting and target setting. (1/12)
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
March 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
ICYMI: Our new paper on the impact of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy is out. 19 months after implementation, we found that households purchased 7.5g less sugar from soft drinks compared to expected - equivalent to a 2.6% reduction. nutrition.bmj.com/content/earl...
February 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
ICYMI: Our new paper on the impact of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy is out. 19 months after implementation, we found that households purchased 7.5g less sugar from soft drinks compared to expected - equivalent to a 2.6% reduction. nutrition.bmj.com/content/earl...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
New analysis and polling from @nestauk.bsky.social — and my first blog for Nesta.
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier
Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.
www.nesta.org.uk
January 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
New analysis and polling from @nestauk.bsky.social — and my first blog for Nesta.
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
🔊 Published today, our new Cochrane review on the impact of calorie labelling on people’s selection and consumption of food (including non-alcoholic drinks) and alcohol:
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
Short thread below 👇
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
Short thread below 👇
Calorie (energy) labelling for changing selection and consumption of food or alcohol - Clarke, N - 2025 | Cochrane Library
Select your preferred language for Cochrane reviews and other content. Sections without translation will be in English.
www.cochranelibrary.com
January 17, 2025 at 1:03 AM
🔊 Published today, our new Cochrane review on the impact of calorie labelling on people’s selection and consumption of food (including non-alcoholic drinks) and alcohol:
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
Short thread below 👇
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
Short thread below 👇
New analysis and polling from @nestauk.bsky.social — and my first blog for Nesta.
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier
Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.
www.nesta.org.uk
January 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
New analysis and polling from @nestauk.bsky.social — and my first blog for Nesta.
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
The UK wants to lose weight and supports government action to make food healthier. This support spans the political spectrum.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
A short 🧵 (1/6)
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
Politicians shouldn't be wary of regulating the food industry to help tackle obesity - the public backs government action.
Our latest research found that a majority of people want to lose weight and endorse government interventions - even across political divides.
Our latest research found that a majority of people want to lose weight and endorse government interventions - even across political divides.
The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier
Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.
www.nesta.org.uk
January 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Politicians shouldn't be wary of regulating the food industry to help tackle obesity - the public backs government action.
Our latest research found that a majority of people want to lose weight and endorse government interventions - even across political divides.
Our latest research found that a majority of people want to lose weight and endorse government interventions - even across political divides.
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
Trying to lose a few pounds this January? You're not alone. @nestauk.bsky.social's latest research found that most of the UK public want to lose weight.
And most back government intervention to reduce obesity - from banning junk food ads to taxing sugar and salt.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
And most back government intervention to reduce obesity - from banning junk food ads to taxing sugar and salt.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier
Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.
www.nesta.org.uk
January 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Trying to lose a few pounds this January? You're not alone. @nestauk.bsky.social's latest research found that most of the UK public want to lose weight.
And most back government intervention to reduce obesity - from banning junk food ads to taxing sugar and salt.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
And most back government intervention to reduce obesity - from banning junk food ads to taxing sugar and salt.
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
Politicians needn't hesitate. We know how to reduce obesity and there is public support for intervention. It's time to act.
Read more from @darrenhilliard.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
Read more from @darrenhilliard.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier
Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.
www.nesta.org.uk
January 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Politicians needn't hesitate. We know how to reduce obesity and there is public support for intervention. It's time to act.
Read more from @darrenhilliard.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
Read more from @darrenhilliard.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
I recently had great fun recording a podcast with IFS;s Paul Johnson and Stuart Adam on the mess that is housing taxation. You can find it here - ifs.org.uk/articles/how...
How is tax damaging the housing market? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We discuss how taxes like capital gains, stamp duty, and council tax impact the housing market, affecting affordability, renting, and homeownership.
ifs.org.uk
January 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I recently had great fun recording a podcast with IFS;s Paul Johnson and Stuart Adam on the mess that is housing taxation. You can find it here - ifs.org.uk/articles/how...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
CLOSING SOON: Do you have experience in setting up and managing large-scale change projects in a complex environment?
We are looking for a Project Manager to support the 'Our Future Foundation' programme.
Find out more and apply by 23.59 on 6 January ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3ZKRCbB
We are looking for a Project Manager to support the 'Our Future Foundation' programme.
Find out more and apply by 23.59 on 6 January ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3ZKRCbB
January 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
CLOSING SOON: Do you have experience in setting up and managing large-scale change projects in a complex environment?
We are looking for a Project Manager to support the 'Our Future Foundation' programme.
Find out more and apply by 23.59 on 6 January ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3ZKRCbB
We are looking for a Project Manager to support the 'Our Future Foundation' programme.
Find out more and apply by 23.59 on 6 January ⬇️
https://buff.ly/3ZKRCbB
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
The Government has sent a clear message to the food & drink industry that the days of advertising unhealthy food to children on TV before 9pm or any time online are over.
This is the first step to consigning advertising of unhealthy food to the dustbin of history
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This is the first step to consigning advertising of unhealthy food to the dustbin of history
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Junk food ad ban legislation progresses to curb childhood obesity
Junk food ads to be banned from October 2025 with final details unveiled today.
www.gov.uk
December 3, 2024 at 10:40 AM
The Government has sent a clear message to the food & drink industry that the days of advertising unhealthy food to children on TV before 9pm or any time online are over.
This is the first step to consigning advertising of unhealthy food to the dustbin of history
www.gov.uk/government/n...
This is the first step to consigning advertising of unhealthy food to the dustbin of history
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
This was a fascinating meeting on UPF policies and I was happy to present some preliminary results of our ongoing RCT on mechanisms by which diets high in UPFs cause excess energy intake. Here’s a brief summary 🧵
I've arrived in London and I'm looking forward to this meeting tomorrow @imperialcollege on ultra-processed foods! I'll be presenting preliminary data on the mechanisms that diets high in UPFs can cause excess calorie intake and weight gain, Register here: www.imperial.ac.uk/events/18424...
Ultra-processed food: the scope for Government action
Join us for a conference reviewing the science and scope for new policy approaches to address the harmful impacts of ultra-processed foods.
www.imperial.ac.uk
November 27, 2024 at 10:42 AM
This was a fascinating meeting on UPF policies and I was happy to present some preliminary results of our ongoing RCT on mechanisms by which diets high in UPFs cause excess energy intake. Here’s a brief summary 🧵
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵
November 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵
I might be biased but this is a fantastic report on the politics of food and health.
Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair, Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and 17 other senior politicians, on what it takes to make real progress on public health policy.
A 🧵 with some interesting quotes.
Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair, Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and 17 other senior politicians, on what it takes to make real progress on public health policy.
A 🧵 with some interesting quotes.
Nourishing Britain: a political manual for improving the nation’s health
Henry Dimbleby and Dr Dolly van Tulleken draw on interviews with former prime ministers and other key figures to offer practical advice and insights on how today’s politicians can tackle the UK’s obes...
www.nesta.org.uk
November 25, 2024 at 4:53 PM
I might be biased but this is a fantastic report on the politics of food and health.
Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair, Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and 17 other senior politicians, on what it takes to make real progress on public health policy.
A 🧵 with some interesting quotes.
Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair, Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and 17 other senior politicians, on what it takes to make real progress on public health policy.
A 🧵 with some interesting quotes.
Should loneliness and social isolation be considered public health issues? To answer this, we need to explore their causal impact on health outcomes. Sharing our work on this topic again for the growing Bluesky community 🧵
#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #episky
#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #episky
How do loneliness and social isolation affect health? Today @nestauk.bsky.social, the University of Bristol, and Amsterdam UMC are publishing our report which contributes to the literature attempting to answer this question. (1/14)
November 24, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Should loneliness and social isolation be considered public health issues? To answer this, we need to explore their causal impact on health outcomes. Sharing our work on this topic again for the growing Bluesky community 🧵
#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #episky
#PsychSciSky #socialpsyc #episky
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
📢New job!!!
We've got a new postdoc research position in our group, working with @hannahforde.bsky.social to develop a Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model to support UK healthy sustainable food policy. Click below for details.
Please share widely! Don't make me log in to LinkedIn...
We've got a new postdoc research position in our group, working with @hannahforde.bsky.social to develop a Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model to support UK healthy sustainable food policy. Click below for details.
Please share widely! Don't make me log in to LinkedIn...
Job Details
my.corehr.com
November 18, 2024 at 9:32 AM
📢New job!!!
We've got a new postdoc research position in our group, working with @hannahforde.bsky.social to develop a Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model to support UK healthy sustainable food policy. Click below for details.
Please share widely! Don't make me log in to LinkedIn...
We've got a new postdoc research position in our group, working with @hannahforde.bsky.social to develop a Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model to support UK healthy sustainable food policy. Click below for details.
Please share widely! Don't make me log in to LinkedIn...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
I put together a starter pack of those working in obesity and diet (and related areas) research and policy.
I did it quickly this morning, so let me know if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/Q3xXqKM
I did it quickly this morning, so let me know if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/Q3xXqKM
November 18, 2024 at 7:44 AM
I put together a starter pack of those working in obesity and diet (and related areas) research and policy.
I did it quickly this morning, so let me know if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/Q3xXqKM
I did it quickly this morning, so let me know if you'd like to be added!
go.bsky.app/Q3xXqKM
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
A blueprint to halve obesity in the UK. So impressed by the Nesta team's work on this. Quantifying and comparing the effect of different interventions and presenting the results so clearly. I'd love to see more policy work like this.
blueprint.nesta.org.uk
blueprint.nesta.org.uk
A blueprint to halve obesity in the UK
A toolkit to support the design, implementation and scaling of dietary health policies that are most likely to work.
blueprint.nesta.org.uk
November 12, 2024 at 5:27 PM
A blueprint to halve obesity in the UK. So impressed by the Nesta team's work on this. Quantifying and comparing the effect of different interventions and presenting the results so clearly. I'd love to see more policy work like this.
blueprint.nesta.org.uk
blueprint.nesta.org.uk
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
BIG NEW RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣🤓
We're incredibly excited to be launching out Blueprint for halving obesity today. A super helpful tool for policymakers to analyse WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS to tackle obesity.
Check it out here 👉 blueprint.nesta.org.uk
Reach out & let us know what you think!
We're incredibly excited to be launching out Blueprint for halving obesity today. A super helpful tool for policymakers to analyse WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS to tackle obesity.
Check it out here 👉 blueprint.nesta.org.uk
Reach out & let us know what you think!
November 4, 2024 at 11:22 AM
BIG NEW RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣🤓
We're incredibly excited to be launching out Blueprint for halving obesity today. A super helpful tool for policymakers to analyse WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS to tackle obesity.
Check it out here 👉 blueprint.nesta.org.uk
Reach out & let us know what you think!
We're incredibly excited to be launching out Blueprint for halving obesity today. A super helpful tool for policymakers to analyse WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS to tackle obesity.
Check it out here 👉 blueprint.nesta.org.uk
Reach out & let us know what you think!
New analysis: it is possible and affordable to halve obesity by the end of the decade, if governments implement the most effective high impact, low cost solutions.
Learn more about our blueprint for halving obesity: www.nesta.org.uk/feature/nest...
Learn more about our blueprint for halving obesity: www.nesta.org.uk/feature/nest...
Nesta's blueprint for halving obesity
Visit Nesta’s blueprint for halving obesity to explore the most effective policies to turn the tide on obesity and help more people live longer, healthier lives.
www.nesta.org.uk
November 4, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
New analysis: it is possible and affordable to halve obesity by the end of the decade, if governments implement the most effective high impact, low cost solutions.
Today we launch Nesta's blueprint for halving obesity: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11...
Today we launch Nesta's blueprint for halving obesity: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11...
Deliveroo and UberEats face ban on junk food ads amid crackdown on obesity
Raft of policy proposals aim to halve obesity in the next five years including a ban on offers and healthy food targets for supermarkets
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 3, 2024 at 9:44 AM
New analysis: it is possible and affordable to halve obesity by the end of the decade, if governments implement the most effective high impact, low cost solutions.
Today we launch Nesta's blueprint for halving obesity: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11...
Today we launch Nesta's blueprint for halving obesity: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11...
Reposted by Darren Hilliard
With weight loss drugs hitting the headlines, we looked at how far these medicines can 'solve' the UK's obesity crisis.
And while they have game-changing potential to tackle rising obesity rates, they can't work in isolation. www.nesta.org.uk/blog/can-wei...
And while they have game-changing potential to tackle rising obesity rates, they can't work in isolation. www.nesta.org.uk/blog/can-wei...
Can weight loss drugs ‘solve’ obesity?
Are the new generation of weight loss drugs a quick fix or a long term answer?
www.nesta.org.uk
October 21, 2024 at 3:24 PM
With weight loss drugs hitting the headlines, we looked at how far these medicines can 'solve' the UK's obesity crisis.
And while they have game-changing potential to tackle rising obesity rates, they can't work in isolation. www.nesta.org.uk/blog/can-wei...
And while they have game-changing potential to tackle rising obesity rates, they can't work in isolation. www.nesta.org.uk/blog/can-wei...