David Clayton

Dr David Clayton is an Associate Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism, based at the Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester. His research explored the individual and combined effects of nutrition and exercise for improving metabolic health and reducing the risk of chronic disease, with a particular focus on weight management and type-2 diabetes.

Dr Clayton’s current work focussed on the how dietary manipulations focussed on energy density, macronutrient profile, and the sensory characteristics of foods, can influence appetite. weight management, insulin sensitivity and metabolism. He also leads programmes of work examining nutraceuticals and functional food components on aspects of health, performance and wellbeing, in athletes and non-athletes. His research is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), NIHR, and the food industry.

Prior to joining the University of Leicester, Dr Clayton was an Associate Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism at Nottingham Trent University between 2017-2025, leading the Nutrition for Health and Performance Research Group. Dr Clayton has received various awards for his research, including the British Nutrition Foundation Drummond Award and the Gatorade Sports Science Institute Young Investigator Award.

Dr Clayton has served on the editorial board for the British Journal of Nutrition since 2021.