Wednesday 10 December 2014

UEL Psychology Seminar Series - Dr. Josie Booth - Healthy body, healthy mind: Discussing the bi-directional relationship between cognition and physical health


We would like to invite you to our next seminar with Dr. Josie Booth on 28th January 2015.

Details are below and please do forward to any colleagues and students who may be interested. All staff and students are most welcome.

UEL Psychology Seminar Series
Date: 28th January 2015
Time: 17:00-18:00
Venue: Arthur Edwards Building, Room 2.06


Dr. Josie Booth
Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Dundee

Title:
Healthy body, healthy mind: Discussing the bi-directional relationship between cognition and physical health

Abstract:
We are suffering from a worldwide pandemic of physical inactivity and obesity with recent figures suggesting that approximately 20% of five years old are overweight in the UK. The physical benefits of a balanced diet and regular physical activity are commonly reported however more recent work suggests that there are wide ranging psychological benefits from adopting a healthy lifestyle, evident at all ages across the lifespan. For example benefits are seen for cognition, mental health, and social skills, to name but a few.

Our recent research demonstrates the longitudinal relationship between physical activity and cognition in school pupils and demonstrates that greater levels of activity can lead to increased academic performance. Furthermore, an intervention study currently underway points to the potential for similar improvements in children with developmental difficulties such as ADHD. The implications of these findings will be discussed in relation to research, educational provision and public health.

Brief Biography:
Dr Josie Booth is a Chartered Psychologist and Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Dundee. Josie was awarded her PhD from the University of Strathclyde for an investigation into executive functions in childhood. Following this, Josie was employed as a postdoctoral researcher within the Physical activity for health group at the University of Strathclyde. Working with Prof John Reilly, she primarily examined the relationship between executive functions, academic attainment, emotional and behavioural well-being and physical activity in adolescents, employing secondary data analysis of the ALSPAC birth cohort. Josie’s main research focuses on cognitive development in children and adolescents with a focus on the relationship with health.

Session Chair:

Dr Kate Hefferon



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