Dr Simon Bowles MMedSci, MRes, PhD
Lecturer in Nutrition
Summary
I was appointed as a full-time Lecturer in Nutrition at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in June 2018 and became Senior Lecturer in 2020.
My research interests are nutrition and bone health, with particular interest in vitamin D. I was Chief Investigator on a National Osteoporosis Society funded clinical trial at the University of Sheffield that investigated why some people fall more frequently after receiving a large one-off dose of vitamin D.
Previously, I have worked on a Department of Health funded project which aimed to understand the potential causes and consequences of low vitamin D levels in obesity. I have also worked as a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Project Manager and Bone Densitometry Technician at the University of Sheffield.
About
I was appointed as a full-time Lecturer in Nutrition at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in June 2018 and became Senior Lecturer in 2020.
My research interests are nutrition and bone health, with particular interest in vitamin D. I was Chief Investigator on a National Osteoporosis Society funded clinical trial at the University of Sheffield that investigated changes to vitamin D metabolites in postmenopausal in response to bolus doses of vitamin D. The study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism for why some people fall more frequently after receiving a large dose vitamin D. This study formed the basis of my PhD.
Previously, I have worked on a Department of Health funded Policy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Program (PRP) project which aimed to understand the potential causes and consequences of low vitamin D levels in obesity.
I have also worked on a project with a local professional football team investigating the vitamin D status of their players.
I have also worked as a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Project Manager and Bone Densitometry Technician at the University of Sheffield. In this role I was responsible for several research studies which aim to better characterise the rare bone disease hypophosphatasia.
Teaching
Department of Service Sector Management
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Subject area
Food and Nutrition
Courses taught
BSc Food and Nutrition
BSc Human Nutrition and Health
MSc Food and Nutrition Sciences
MSc Nutrition with Public Health Management
Modules taught
I have taught on a wide range of modules:
Nutrition Through the Lifecycle (Level 5)
Physiology and Biochemistry of Health and Disease (Level 5)
Academic Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Skills (Level 5)
Physical Activity and Health (Level 5)
Global Issues in Nutrition and Health (Level 6)
Food and Nutrition Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Project (level 6)
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ methods (Level 7)
Work-related Learning (Level 7)
Life-Course Approach to Nutrition (Level 7)
Dissertation (level 7)
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Current research
I am currently involved in a number of research projects:
A comparative study of vitamin D status, dietary vitamin D intake, supplementation use and habitual sunlight exposure in UK-dwelling South Asians and Caucasian
The effect of feeding and exercise on bone turnover markers (AWRC affiliated)
The impact of food insecurity on families attending the complexities of excess weight clinic (Funded by the Sheffield Children's Hospital Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Innovation Fund)
An NIHR funded project that aims to understand the scale and scope of 'Dark Kitchens' within the North of England, and explore how these businesses could be identified and managed in line with council priorities.
Selected research
My recent publications are:
Schwartz, J. B., Gallagher, C., Jorde, R., Berg, V., Walsh, J., Eastell, R., Evans, A.L., Bowles, S., Naylor, K. E., Jones K. S., I. Schoenmakers, M. Holick, E. Orwoll, C., Nielson, M. Kaufman, G., Jones, R., Bouillon, J. Lai, D. Verotta, D., & Bikle D. (2018) Determination of free 25(OH)D concentrations and their relationships to total 25(OH)D in multiple clinical populations. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-00295
Walsh, J. S., Bowles, S., & Evans, A.L. (2017). Vitamin D in Obesity. Current Opinions in Endocrinology Diabetes & Obesity, 24, 389-394.
Walsh, J. S., Evans, A.L., Bowles, S., Naylor, K .E., Jones, S. I., Schoenmakers, R. M. Jacques &. Eastell R. (2016). Free 25-hydroxyvitamin D is low in obesity, but there are no adverse associations with bone health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103, 1465-1471.
Collaborators and sponsors
Sheffield Children's Hospital Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Innovation Fund
National Institute for Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (NIHR)
Advanced Wellbeing Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre
Anglia Ruskin University
Publications
Key Publications
Schwartz, J.B., Gallagher, C., Jorde, R., Berg, V., Walsh, J., Eastell, R., ... Bikle, D. (2018). . Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Walsh, J.S., Bowles, S., & Evans, A.L. (2017). . Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes and Obesity, 24 (6), 389-394.
Walsh, J.S., Evans, A., Bowles, S., Naylor, K.E., Jones, K.S., Schoenmakers, I., ... Eastell, R. (2016). . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103 (6), 1465-1471.
Journal articles
Flint, M., Leroy, F., Bowles, S., Lynn, T., & Paxman, J. (2025). . International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 39.
Nield, L., Martin, H., Wall, C., Pearce, J., Rundle, R., Bowles, S., ... Beaumont, J.D. (2024). . NIHR Open Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 4.
Bowles, S., Jacques, R., Hill, T., Walsh, J., & Eastell, R. (2024). . Nutrients, 16 (17).
Bowles, S., Basu, S., Ranchordas, M., Simper, T., & Lynn, T. (2023). . Biology of Sport, 41 (2), 201-208.
Nield, L., & Bowles, S.D. (2023). . Nursing standard, 38 (8), 70-77.
Flint, M., Bowles, S., Lynn, A., & Paxman, J.R. (2023). . The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 1-36.
Conference papers
Flint, M., Leroy, F., Bowles, S., Lynn, A., & Paxman, J. (2024). . Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 82 (OCE5), E278.
Bowles, S. (2022). . Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 81 (OCE5).
Simper, T., Lynn, A., Bowles, S., Taylor, L., & Walton-Taylor, L. (2019). . International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29 (S1), S1-S16.
Bowles, S. (2014). Serum 25(OH)D deficiency in young adults is associated with low dietary vitamin D intake and a shorter 25(OH)D3 half-life. Human Nutrition Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Unit (HNRC).
Presentations
Bowles, S., Walsh, J., Eastell, R., & Hill, T. (2018). Effect of high dose vitamin D on free 25(OH)D and ionised calcium in vitamin D-deficient postmenopausal women. Presented at: American Society for Bone Mineral Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada
Posters
Beaumont, J. (2025). Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets. Presented at: British Feeding and Drinking Group (BFDG) Meeting 2025, University of Bristol
Nield, L., Martin, H., Wall, C., Pearce, J., Rundle, R., Bowles, S., ... Beaumont, J.D. (2025). Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets.
Nield, L., Martin, H., Wall, C., Pearce, J., Rundle, R., Bowles, S., ... Beaumont, J.D. (2024). Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets.
Nield, L., Martin, H., Wall, C., Pearce, J., Rundle, R., Bowles, S., ... Beaumont, J.D. (2024). Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets.
Nield, L., Martin, H., Wall, C., Pearce, J., Rundle, R., Bowles, S., ... Beaumont, J.D. (n.d.). Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets.
Other publications
Flint, M., Leroy, F., Bowles, S., Lynn, A., & Paxman, J. (2024). The acceptability and sensory attributes of plant-based burger products under open and closed label conditions. Cambridge University Press:
Postgraduate supervision
Megan Flint - PhD Student (Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Consumer Perceptions, Nutrient Profile and Satiety)