Wear-IT: Wearable Technology to passively measure food intake

Summary

Malnutrition is a critical public health concern, which is costing the NHS over £19 billion per year [1]. It is estimated that there are approximately three million people in the UK who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition [1]. Older people are particularly prone to undernutrition owing to changes that occur during ageing which impact adversely on the nutritional status of an individual. Ageing may lead to changes in the ability to taste and smell food which, combined with a reduced secretion of appetite hormones, can impact food consumption and choice of foods [3]. Furthermore, the declining function in some physiological systems which impacts on food choice and intake in older people, can establish a vicious cycle promoting more rapid decline.

The aim of the Wear-IT project is to develop wearable technology to accurately measure food intakes in free-living older people within their own home, and in turn to promote a healthier diet. Doing so has the potential to reduce the risk of malnutrition among older adults which has been linked to prolonged hospital stay, increased rate of hospitalisations, readmissions, increased prevalence of treatment-related complications, hospital infections, and mortality. This project will develop a head worn wearable sensor platform, in the form of smart glasses, to detect chewing and swallowing eating gestures and wearable cameras to identify food types and caloric content through image processing techniques.

Specifically, this research will establish novel, multi-model techniques for identifying eating episodes and oral intake and combine this with emerging deep-learning approaches to food recognition and volume estimates. This project will develop a head worn wearable sensor platform, in the form of smart glasses, to detect chewing and swallowing eating gestures and wearable cameras to identify food types and caloric content through image processing techniques.

The School of Computing at Ulster University holds Athena Swan Bronze Award since 2016 and is committed to promote and advance gender equality in Higher Education. We particularly welcome female applicants, as they are under-represented within the School.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.