Professor Christine Williams OBE

Professor of Human Nutrition and Director of Food, Agriculture and Health, University of Reading

What first attracted you to nutritional science?

It is hard to be certain – given how long ago (nearly fifty years!) it is since I first made the decision to study nutrition at undergraduate level. However I have a very potent recollection of my A level studies where I was fortunate to have a very challenging Biology teacher. She introduced me to the study of ‘human metabolism’ including the detailed biochemical actions of specific vitamins in maintaining human health. I am sure some of this must have been a major deviation from the syllabus, but it was a big stimulus for me. An even earlier memory (and possibly greater influence) is the fact that I did not like conversation first thing in the morning, but was not allowed to read the paper over breakfast. So I mostly read the cereal packets – including all the names of the vitamins and minerals in my breakfasthence my deep satisfaction when I got the full background about ten years later.

How did your early career develop?

My undergraduate degree (at what was then Queen Elizabeth College) was followed by a PhD at Guys Hospital Medical School. I wanted to do a PhD involving human subjects and was fortunate to be appointed to a project studying adipose tissue metabolism in human pregnancy. This involved studies to investigate the hormonal basis of insulin resistance in normal pregnancy and set the stage for the next 30 years or so for my work. I conducted a whole range of experimental studies involving whole body lipid metabolism in volunteers, cell studies on biopsies of adipose tissue, working with others using stable isotope measurements and measurements of lean tissue using potassium40. I had no idea at the time how challenging these were and I suspect was quite fearless, partly due to lack of awareness of their novelty. I also had a hands-off supervisor which meant I pretty much taught myself lipid metabolism and the hormonal aspects of pregnancy over the next three years. I also made a number of important mistakes and omissions which I subsequently needed to correct! However, I loved the sense of independence – being able to design my own experiments, set time schedules, planning, and generally having a great time.

Has there been a study or project that you have worked on that you would now consider to be a defining point in terms of your career, or nutritional science?

When I took up my first lectureship post at the University of Surrey (1984) there was (and still is) a strong emphasis on studies of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Many of these involved measurement of postprandial glycaemia (and its hormonal regulation). From my PhD work I recognised how important insulin was in lipid metabolism and felt we should do more to understand the regulation of postprandial triglyceride metabolism – including effects of varying dietary fat (amount and type) and of the relationships between postprandial triglyceridemia and body fat mass and distribution. This became the major part of 15-20 years of research work and of building my research group at Surrey, and subsequently Reading when I was appointed to the Hugh Sinclair Chair in Nutrition in 1995.

What has been the most rewarding, or challenging, part of your policy and governmental work?

My first experience was as a very naïve member of Nutritional Aspects of the Development of Cancer COMA (Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy) panel in the early 1990s. Over the next two years I learnt a lot about epidemiology – taught to me by some excellent co-members and the secretariat. It was also my first real exposure to the complexity of translating research findings into nutrition policy and a hard lesson in the controversies that can arise in implementing nutrition policy. Later I became a member of the first SACN (Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition) Committee established under the new FSA (Food Standard Agency), where SACN recommendations and the development of government nutrition policies were more explicitly separated. Although my early naivety has long been replaced by a greater understanding of the complex stakeholder environment in which food and health operates, I remain unconvinced that this degree of separation always works to the benefit of public health.

In your opinion, how has the field of nutritional science and the key issues changed since your career started?

The key issues remain pretty much as they were in the 1970s – impacts of nutrition on chronic diseases but with the challenge of increasing obesity. Despite the abundance of food choice and the relative low cost of food, some groups remain at risk of inadequate intakes of key nutrients and this needs greater recognition than it receives at the present time.

In your opinion, how has the public perception of nutrition changed during the course of your career?

There appears to be a negative correlation between public interest in nutrition, food and health, and the perception of nutrition science by the media, the public and the funding agencies. Becoming ever ‘popular’ does not appear to have advanced the reputation of the science, nor of nutrition professionals. Regrettably more simplistic approaches, often based on poor science, appear to offer greater ‘hope’ and conviction than those based on soundly-based knowledge.

What are your hopes for the continuing development of nutritional science?

The rigour and depth of the science has improved significantly and the importance of nutrition to population health has never been so high on the agenda. Yet funding for nutrition research remains fragmented and insufficient – especially when compared with other areas of the life sciences. This deters strong science graduates from choosing nutrition as an area for research – adversely impacting on the strength of our university groups and departments. The media challenges and misperceptions referred to above, offer increasing frustration for those committed to ensuring the highest standards of excellence in professional practice.

My hope is that through greater collaboration, our scientific and professional societies will work together more closely to provide strong, consistent leadership and greater confidence in dealing with the challenges facing us in the future.

How has being a member of the Nutrition Society impacted on your career?

The Nutrition Society has provided outstanding training and networking opportunities for myself, my students and staff for over 35 years. I was privileged to act as President of the Society in 1998-2001 during a time of growth and change for the Society and supported by a great team of Officers and Honorary Officers. This was my first experience of ‘managing change’ – and at times proved a pretty scary ride but the experience influenced many of my subsequent ‘leadership’ challenges. Lastly, but not least, I have also made a number of collaborations and friendships for life – those times at the bar were not wasted!