Dr Kim Zhuoxiu Jin is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. Her research sits at the intersection of exercise physiology, nutrition, appetite regulation and metabolic health, with a particular focus on obesity, weight management, appetite-related gut hormones, and nutritional strategies to support healthy ageing.
Kim completed her PhD in Exercise Physiology at Loughborough University. Her doctoral research examined appetite-related hormone responses following weight loss induced by lifestyle interventions and investigated how glucose dynamics and acute exercise influence appetite regulation and energy intake.
Following her PhD, Kim worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Exeter on an Innovate UK-funded project focused on the development and testing of a plant-based, protein-dense sauce for older adults. This work involved food sensory evaluation, clinical testing of postprandial amino acid and appetite hormone responses, and collaboration with academic, NHS and industry partners.
Kim has now returned to Loughborough University as a Research Associate working with Dr James King. Her current work supports several projects related to appetite, energy balance and weight management. These include investigating how life disruptors, such as Christmas, illness, stress, and changes in daily routine influence body weight regulation, and exploring the potential use of AI-based approaches to predict and prevent weight gain. She is also involved in research examining how smoking and vaping influence appetite regulation and related metabolic responses.
Kim’s research focuses on appetite regulation, energy balance and metabolic health across the lifespan. Her work examines how lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, and life disruptors influence appetite-related gut hormones, body weight regulation, and metabolic health. She is also interested in digital health and AI-based coaching technologies for obesity management, as well as nutritional strategies, food product development, and sensory evaluation to support healthy ageing and older populations.
Featured publications
- Jin Z, Li J, Thackray AE, King JA, Mould C, Stensel DJ. Effects of acute moderate-intensity continuous running on circulating oxyntomodulin concentrations in healthy men and women. Appetite. 2026;222:108541. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2026.108541
- Jin Z, Thackray AE, Willis SA, King JA, Li J, Mould C, Stensel DJ. The association between glucose dynamics and energy intake in young, healthy women. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41430-026-01727-0
- Jin Z, Li J, Thackray AE, Shen T, Deighton K, King JA, Stensel DJ. Fasting appetite-related gut hormone responses after weight loss induced by calorie restriction, exercise, or both in people with overweight or obesity: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity. 2025;49:776–792. DOI: 10.1038/s41366-025-01726-4
- Jin Z, Thackray AE, King JA, Deighton K, Davies MJ, Stensel DJ. Analytical performance of the factory-calibrated flash glucose monitoring system FreeStyle Libre 2™ in healthy women. Sensors. 2023;23(17):7417. DOI: 10.3390/s23177417