Dr. Susan Jebb, OBE, PhD, FMedSci

Susan Jebb, OBE, PhD, FMedSci, is a nutrition scientist and food policy leader at Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency in Oxford, United Kingdom, where the focus of her work is obesity, dietary behaviour change and food policy. Dr. Susan Jebb holds the post of Professor of Diet and Population Health and Chair of the Food Standards Agency.

She was previously based at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge and then a Programme Leader at MRC Human Nutrition Research, before moving to Oxford in 2013. She was appointed officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Nutrition scientists design and run the studies that establish how food affects health, from laboratory work on single nutrients to trials and cohorts involving thousands of people. The work of Dr. Susan Jebb sits in obesity, dietary behaviour change and food policy.

Key Facts About Dr. Susan Jebb

• Full Name And Credentials: Susan Jebb, OBE, PhD, FMedSci
• Profession: Nutrition scientist and food policy leader
• Field Of Focus: Obesity, dietary behaviour change and food policy
• Current Position: Professor of Diet and Population Health and Chair of the Food Standards Agency
• Institution: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency
• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Sees Patients: No, this specialist works in research and education
• Previous Appointments: Previously based at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge and then a Programme Leader at MRC Human Nutrition Research, before moving to Oxford in 2013

Academic Background Of Dr. Susan Jebb

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: BSc in nutrition
• Doctorate: PhD in human nutrition
• Professional Standing: Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians

Dr. Susan Jebb Professional Focus

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Susan Jebb as centred on:

• Obesity treatment and weight management in primary care
• Behavioural interventions to change diet
• Healthy and sustainable dietary patterns
• Food policy and regulation
• Translating nutrition evidence into public policy

Institutional And Advisory Roles Of Dr. Susan Jebb

• Professor of Diet and Population Health, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford
• Chair of the Food Standards Agency, first appointed July 2021 and reappointed to 31 December 2027
• Senior Research Fellow, Jesus College, Oxford
• Leads randomised controlled trials of dietary and behavioural interventions, many of them delivered in primary care
• Chaired the cross-government Expert Advisory Group on obesity from 2007 to 2011 and the Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network from 2010 to 2015
• Led the development of national standards for school food and chaired the working group on hospital food
• Co-organiser of the nutrition module within the Oxford MSc in Global Health Sciences

Recognition And Academic Standing Of Dr. Susan Jebb

• Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2008 for services to public health
• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
• Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
• Science adviser to the Government Office for Science Foresight report on obesity in 2007 and adviser to the National Food Strategy
• Theme lead for obesity, diet and lifestyle at the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Base And Affiliation Details For Dr. Susan Jebb

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency

Oxford, United Kingdom. This is an academic and research base rather than a patient clinic. Enquiries about research, teaching or media are handled by the institution rather than by this directory.

A Reader Guide To Diet And Population Health

Modern obesity science treats excess weight as a condition driven by biology, environment and behaviour rather than a simple failure of willpower. Appetite is regulated by hormones and brain circuits that defend body weight, which is why weight regained after dieting is the rule rather than the exception. Current care combines realistic dietary change, behavioural support, activity and, where appropriate, medication or surgery. Reducing the stigma attached to weight is treated as part of effective treatment, not a courtesy.

Other Experts In Diet And Population Health

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, obesity medicine at University of Ottawa and the Bariatric Medical Institute
• Dr. Giles Yeo, obesity genetics and appetite at MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge
• Dr. Rena Wing, behavioural weight management at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and The Miriam Hospital
• Dr. David Jenkins, glycaemic index research at University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

How To Follow The Work Of Dr. Susan Jebb

This specialist does not offer individual consultations. Dr. Susan Jebb works in research, teaching and public health nutrition. Research, teaching and media enquiries go to Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency directly. For personal dietary advice, see a dietitian or nutritionist registered in your own country, or use the enquiry button on this page and we will point you towards a practising specialist in the directory.

Questions About Dr. Susan Jebb Answered

Does Dr. Susan Jebb see patients?

No. Dr. Susan Jebb works in research, teaching and public health rather than individual consultations, and does not offer private appointments. For one to one dietary advice, see a registered dietitian or nutritionist licensed in your own country.

What did Dr. Susan Jebb study?

PhD in human nutrition. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Susan Jebb?

Susan Jebb, OBE, PhD, FMedSci. Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.

What position does Dr. Susan Jebb hold?

Dr. Susan Jebb is Professor of Diet and Population Health and Chair of the Food Standards Agency, based at Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, and the Food Standards Agency.

What is Diet And Population Health?

Diet And Population Health is the area of nutrition science concerned with obesity, dietary behaviour change and food policy. Specialists working in it, including Dr. Susan Jebb, study how diet relates to health and translate those findings into guidance.

Has Dr. Susan Jebb received professional recognition?

Yes. Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2008 for services to public health. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Source References For Dr. Susan Jebb

• University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
• Food Standards Agency
• Jesus College, Oxford

Compilation And Review Notes For Dr. Susan Jebb

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Previously based at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge and then a Programme Leader at MRC Human Nutrition Research, before moving to Oxford in 2013.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Disclaimer For This Diet And Population Health Listing

Information only, not medical or dietary advice, and not a listing for appointments. For individual guidance, see a registered dietitian or your own doctor.