Elisabeth Höld

Elisabeth Höld is a Professor and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Health Sciences at FH St. Pölten. She has held this position since 2018, following her appointment as a researcher in 2013 and teaching roles since 2014. Her work focuses on public health nutrition, with particular emphasis on digital health interventions and specific population nutrition needs.

Her educational background includes:

• Diplomstudium Ernährungswissenschaften (Nutritional Sciences) at Universität Wien
• Dr.-Studium der Naturwissenschaften Ernährungswissenschaften (Doctoral Studies in Nutritional Sciences) at Universität Wien

Professor Höld's research primarily centers on public health nutrition, with specific expertise in social media's impact on eating behavior, nutrition for specific population groups, and anti-inflammatory nutrition approaches. She has developed particular expertise in adolescent nutrition, diabetes management through peer support systems, and nutritional interventions for knee osteoarthritis. Her work bridges the gap between digital health technologies and traditional nutritional science, creating innovative approaches to health promotion and disease management.

Her recent publication portfolio reveals two dominant research streams: digital health interventions for diabetes management (particularly the DiabPeerS project using instant messaging for peer support among people with type 2 diabetes) and the NUMOQUA project addressing knee osteoarthritis through combined nutritional and physical activity approaches. She has also made significant contributions to understanding adolescents' relationship with social media nutrition content through the FIVE project.

Professor Höld serves in various professional capacities including as a board member of the Association of Nutritional Sciences Austria (VEÖ), member of the Participatory Health Research Network (PartNet), and member of the D/A/CH Network for Health Promotion. She also performs review activities for international peer-reviewed journals.

She has led or contributed to numerous research projects including NUMOQUA, FIVE, DiabPeerS, E³UDRES², DIRENE, IMPECD, GAAS, GEKO, Refugees Eat Better, and evaluations of various health initiatives. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to translating research into practical applications for improving population health.

Her research team at FH St. Pölten collaborates across disciplines, working with medical professionals, technologists, and public health experts to develop comprehensive approaches to health challenges. The institute provides a robust infrastructure for conducting both clinical and community-based research in nutrition and health sciences.