Personal profile
Biography
My research focuses on understanding how nutrition relates to mental health and how this evidence can be meaningfully applied in clinical and community settings. I am currently investigating mental health professionals’ perspectives on the role of diet in mental health care, and examining how diet quality, eating behaviours, and psychological factors interact to influence mental health outcomes. I also explore awareness and perceptions of diet–mental health relationships among young adults with subclinical symptoms. A further strand of my work involves evaluating a nutrition‑focused programme within a community hospital to understand its feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact.
I lead our Diet, Lifestyle and Mental Health Research Group under our Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing (CREW). Our group includes researchers from both School of Psychology and School of Life and Health Sciences. See our activities here: Research in diet, lifestyle and mental health
Education/Academic qualification
Psychology, PhD, Drivers of Obesity: Characterising the biopsychological and environmental drivers of overeating, University of Roehampton
2014 → 2019
Award Date: 30 Aug 2019
Sports & Exercise Science, MSc, Investigating changes in energy intake, appetite and flavour-nutrient learning responses following a low-protein breakfast in physically active and sedentary individuals, University of Roehampton
2011 → 2013
Award Date: 30 Sept 2013
Exercise Science, BSc (Hons), Investigating the physiological and psychological performance responses to downhill running in novice and veteran endurance athletes, University of Cape Town
2003
Award Date: 1 Dec 2003
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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The association between dietary intake and behaviours and mental health and wellbeing
Coxon, C. (PI)
1/10/24 → …
Project: Research
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Evaluating Awareness, Perceptions and Support for Nutrition in Mental Health
Coxon, C. (PI), Clesse, C. (CoPI), Hepsomali, P. (CoI) & Cooper, M. (CoI)
1/11/23 → …
Project: Research
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Association between dietary inflammation, mental health and sleep health
Coxon, C. (PI) & Hepsomali, P. (PI)
1/06/23 → 1/04/24
Project: Research
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Personality, Dietary Identity, Mental and Sleep health outcomes
Coxon, C. (PI) & Hepsomali, P. (PI)
1/06/22 → 28/06/24
Project: Research
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Personality, dietary identity, mental and sleep health in vegans and vegetarians: A preliminary cross-sectional study
Coxon, C., Hepsomali, P., Brandt, K. R., Vauzour, D. & Costabile, A., 22 Aug 2023, In: Health Science Reports.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Downloads (Pure) -
Inflammation and diet: focus on mental and cognitive health
Hepsomali, P. & Coxon, C., 11 Aug 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 31, 8/2022Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Open Access -
Diet and mental health in school-aged children: a mini review of school-based dietary intervention studies
Coxon, C., 30 Sept 2025, In: Frontiers in Education.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Sugar Intake Is Associated With Increased Odds of Depression and Anxiety: Evidence From A Cross‐Sectional Study
Coxon, C., Rufeger, M., Hollamby, G., Ashtree, D. N., Orr, R., Lane, M. M. & Hepsomali, P., 1 Dec 2025, In: Health Science Reports. 8, 12Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Dietary inflammation, sleep, and mental health in the UK and Japan: an international comparative study
Hepsomali, P., Kagami-Katsuyama, H., Coxon, C., Honma, N., Kinoshita, K. & Nishihira, J., 1 Sept 2024, In: Nutrition Bulletin.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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From Books to Bedside: Clinicians’ Perceptions and Barriers to Implementing Nutritional Psychiatry
Coxon, C. (Speaker)
4 Mar 2026Activity: Talk or presentation for an academic audience › Invited talk for an academic audience
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Meno-Mentum Consortium (External organisation)
Coxon, C. (Member), Jermyn, D. (Member), Costabile, A. (Member), Franklin-Brown, G. (Member), Domecka, M. (Member), Sommer Boysen, K. (Member), Sari, H. (Member) & Ilsley, J. (Member)
2026Activity: Membership › Membership of consortium
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Food & Mental Health: A Collaborative Workshop for Impact
Coxon, C. (Advisor)
4 Jun 2025Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Contribution to the work of non-academic organisations
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Event Contribution: Menopause Awareness Month – Library Gathering & CRACE Seminar
Jermyn, D. (Organiser), Coxon, C. (Speaker) & Costabile, A. (Speaker)
29 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an academic event › Participation in academic workshop, seminar, course
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Women's Health Research Conference
Coxon, C. (Speaker), Costabile, A. (Speaker), Reeves, S. (Chair), Jeanes, Y. (Speaker), Hauge Evans, A. (Chair) & Jermyn, D. (Speaker)
10 Apr 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an academic event › Participation in academic conference