Jo Smith

Dr. Jo Smith is Senior Clinical Academic at Teesside University School of Health & Life Sciences and Consultant Dietitian at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, specializing in food insecurity, obesity in mental health, and health inequalities. Her research examines nutritional neuroscience and dietetics interventions in psychiatric contexts.

Holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Teesside University, MSc in Evidence-Based Practice, and BSc in Dietetics from Leeds Metropolitan University. Developed 'A Weight off Your Mind' regional plan for weight management in mental health services, earning the NHS England Public Health Champion Award (2019).

Research employs co-production methodologies with focus groups to investigate food insecurity prevalence in severe mental illness. Recent studies evaluate clinical pathways for nutrition screening in mental health services and physical activity interventions in inpatient settings. Publications demonstrate strong emphasis on health equity and lived experience integration.

NIHR AHP Research Champion coordinating multi-agency projects on affordable healthy food access. Current £2.5m NIHR Mental Health Leader Award supports development of Lifestyle Energy Activity and Nutrition (LEAN) programme.