Staff Directory
Dr Patricia Heavey
Lecturer and Course Co-ordinator Health Science and Nutrition
Dr Patricia Heavey completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Ulster, where she also obtained her PhD. Following her studies, Patricia spent four years working as a Research Associate at the University of Ulster, where she managed several projects investigating the effects of functional foods on human health. In 2005, she was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition at Kingston University, London. On her return to Ireland she continued to work with various universities and as a consultant nutritionist to a variety of food companies providing nutrition and PR support and advice. She also has extensive experience of working with health professionals, lecturing and presenting talks to the scientific community and consumers, dissemination of healthy eating messages through the media (newspapers, television and radio interviews) and compiling nutrition booklets, guides and leaflets.
Dr Heavey was appointed Manager of the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College Dublin in May 2009. This involved monitoring trends in health status correlated with all aspects of the food chain and advising on these findings for health planners. In addition, the role involved providing information and research expertise, particularly in nutritional epidemiology and surveillance methodology to various governmental and non-governmental bodies. This was delivered through reports, position papers, research projects and supporting various groups and committees. In addition, Dr Heavey managed the WHO Childhood Growth Surveillance Study in Ireland which included the collection of anthropometric and lifestyle data on over 5,000 children in both 2008 and 2010.
In 2012, Patricia was appointed as course co-ordinator and lecturer on the newly established BSc Health Science and Nutrition degree in Athlone Institute of Technology. She continues to be research active and is a member of several committees advising on public health and nutrition.
Scientific Publications Peer Reviewed Journals
Shrivastava A, Murrin C, Sweeney MR, Heavey P, Kelleher CC (2012) Familial intergenerational and maternal aggregation patterns in nutrient intakes in the Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study. Public Health Nutr.13:1-11
Shrivastava A, Murrin C, O’Brien J, Viljoen K, Heavey P, Grant T, and Kelleher C (2012) Grandparental morbidity and mortality patterns are associated with infant birth weight in the Lifeways cross-generation cohort study 2001–2010 Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Article, pp 1-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S2040174412000451
Gill CI, Rowland IR, Heavey PM et al. Effect of faecal water on an in vitro model of colonic mucosal
barrier function. Nutrition and Cancer 2007, 57, 59-65
McGilligan VE, Wallace JMW, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR. The effect of nicotine in vitro on the integrity of tight junctions in CaCo-2 cell monolayers. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2007, 45, 1593-98.
McGilligan VE, Wallace JMW, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR. Hypothesis about mechanism through which nicotine might exert its effect on the interdependence of
inflammation and gut barrier function in ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 2007, 13, 108-15.
Heavey PM, Savage SH, Parrett A, Cecchini C, Edwards CA & Rowland IR. Protein degradation products and bacterial enzyme activities in faeces of breast-fed and formula-fed infants. British Journal of Nutrition 2003; 89, 509-515.
Rumney C, Edwards CA, Davies M, Parrett AM, Dore J, Martin F, Schmitt J, Norin E, Midtvedt T, Rowland IR, Heavey PM, Schroten H, Köhler H, Stocks B. A human flora associated
rat model of the breast fed infant gut. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2003; 37 (2) 168-177.
Heavey PM, Rowland IR & Rafter JJ. The gastrointestinal microbiota in cancer. In: The Gastrointestinal Microbiota 2006, 225-236.
Heavey PM, McKenna D & Rowland IR. Colorectal cancer and the relationship between genes and the environment. Nutrition and Cancer 2004, 48, 124-141.
Heavey PM & Rowland IR. Gastrointestinal cancer. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology 2004, 2, 323-336.
Goldberg GR, Murgatroyd PR, McKenna APM, Heavey PM & Prentice AM. Dietary compensation in response to covert imposition of negative energy balance by removal of fat or carbohydrate. British Journal of Nutrition 1998; 80, 141-147.
Conference Publications
M Heinen, N Eldin, U O’Dwyer, C Hayes, P Heavey, A Lynam, J O’Brien, L Daly, C Murrin and C Kelleher Waist Circumference Improves Obesity Models but Social Disadvantage Remains Significant: Results among 10,766 Children of the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland. Presented at the IEA World Congress of Epidemiology, August 2014
Published Reports
Heinen MM, Murrin C, Daly L, O’Brien J, Heavey P, O’Brien M, Scully H, Mulhern LM, Lynam A, Eldin N, Kelleher CC (2016). The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland: Descriptives of childhood obesity risk factors. Dublin: Health Service Executive
Heinen MM, Murrin C, Daly L, O’Brien J, Heavey P, Kilroe J, O’Brien M, Scully H, Mulhern LM, Lynam A, Hayes C, O’Dwyer U, Eldin N, Kelleher CC [2014]. The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland: Findings from 2008, 2010 and 2012. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
Heavey PM, McGloin A, Kilroe J, Daly L, O’Mahony D, Kelleher C. (2012) WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in Ireland. 2010. Main Report. Dublin: Health Services Executive and Department of Health and Children.
Report of Inter-sectoral Group on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the National Task Force on Obesity (2009) Contributing authors: Heavey PM & Kelleher CC. Available at the following link: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/report_ntfo.html
European Nutrition and Health Report (2009) Contributing authors: Heavey PM, Kennedy J & Kelleher CC. Available at the following link: http://www.univie.ac.at/enhr/downloads/enhrii_book.pdf
Training needs assessment for health care professionals for prevention and management of childhood overweight and obesity (2009) Cunningham K, Heavey PM, McConnon A, O’Hara MC Kelleher CC.
Review of best practice to assist the development and implementation of a HSE healthy food procurement policy (2009) Conducted and prepared by the NNSC (Heavey PM)
Family-based approaches to treating childhood obesity –an international review of best practice and a review of current Irish programmes (2009) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Review of the National and International research relating to obesity and the interrelationship between obesity, physical activity, nutrition and other determinates (2009) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
The NNSC (Heavey, PM) contributed the findings from the WHO Surveillance Initiative (2008) to the State of the Nation’s Children Report: Ireland 2010 http://www.omc.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=1511
Assessment of the curriculum for undergraduates and postgraduates regarding obesity prevention and management (June 2011) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Assessment of training needs of Health Care Professionals who provide foetal, maternal and infant nutrition advice (April 2010) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Book Chapters
Heavey PM & Rowland IR. Dietary factors influencing apoptosis in the intestine. In: Annual reviews in Food and Nutrition Toxicity [Preedy VR & Watson RR, eds] Taylor
and Frances, 2003, 305-330.
Heavey PM & Rowland IR. The gut microflora of the developing infant: Microbiology and Metabolism. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1999; 11, 75-83.
Abstracts
M. M. Heinen, N. Eldin, U. O’Dywer, C. Hayes, P. Heavey, A. Lynam, L. M. Mulhern, J. K. O’Brien, M. C. O’Brien, H. Scully, L. E. Daly, C. M. Murrin and C. C.
Kelleher Breastfeeding and birth weight are important predictors for childhood overweight and obesity: Results for 1885 6–7-year-old school-going children of
the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2015), 74 (OCE1), E126
P. M. Heavey, O. McMahon, A. McConnon, U. O’dwyer, C. Hayes, N. Eldin and C. Kelleher Parents’ attitudes and acceptability of anthropometric measurement of Irish school
children. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2013), 72 (OCE3), E144
Heinen MM, Eldin N, O’Dwyer U, Hayes C, Heavey P, Lynam A, Mulhern LM, O’Brien JK, O’Brien MC, Scully H, Murrin CM, Kelleher CC (2013) Prevalence of overweight children aged 7 years: Results of the World Health Organisation Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative in the Republic of Ireland Proceeding of Nutrition Society Dublin, Republic of Ireland 19-JUN-13 - 21-JUN-13
P. Heavey, C. Murrin, U. O’Dywer, C. Hayes, N. Eldin, C. Kelleher (2012) Waist circumference combined with BMI; a better predictor of childhood obesity? ROI data for 6609
children from the WHO surveillance initiative European Heart Journal 33 (Abstract Supplement), 295-296
PM Heavey, RM Hughes, C Butcher & IR Rowland. Evaluation of the biological activity of faecal water as a biomarker for colon cancer risk. Proceedings of the Eight International Conference on Mechanisms of Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis 2003; 59A
PM Heavey, RM Hughes, C Butcher & IR Rowland. Evaluation of the biological activity of faecal water. International Yakult Symposium 2003; 15A
L. Hoey. IR Rowland, PM Heavey and JS Brown. Effect of soya-milk formulas on faecal microbiology and metabolism. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2001; 60, 170A
L. Hoey. IR Rowland, PM Heavey and JS Brown. The effect of breast milk, infant formula and soya-milk formula on faecal ammonia concentration and bacterial enzyme activity
in infants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2001; 60, 49A
Heavey P.M., McBain A., Rumney C., Savage S., Edwards C. and Rowland I.R. Metabolic properties of faecal samples from breast fed and formula fed infants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2000; 59,62A
Heavey P.M., Savage S., Edwards C. and Rowland I.R. Determination of protein degradation products in faecal samples from breast fed and formula fed infants. Microbial
Ecology in Health and Disease 1999; 11, 107A
Heavey P.M, McKenna A.P.M., Goldberg G.R., Murgatroyd P.R. and Prentice A.M. Underfeeding by reduction in fat or carbohydrate intake: Effects on energy expenditure,
macronutrient oxidation and subsequent food intake in lean men. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1995; 54 (3), 160A
BSc (Hons) Health Science and Nutrition
BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health
Postgraduate supervision
2015- Present: Association for Health Promotion Ireland: Function/Role: Vice Chair of Executive Committee
2017- Present: Association for Health Promotion Ireland: Function/Role: Assessor for register of Health Promotion Practitioners
2011-Present: Association for Nutrition Function/Role: Registered Public Health Nutritionist
1997- Present: Nutrition Society: Function/Role: Member
2000-Present: Irish Nutrition Society section Function/Role: Member
2015- Present: Association for the Study of Obesity on the island of Ireland; Function/Role: Member
2012-Present: Health Campus, AIT: Function/Role: Member of Steering group committee
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Biography
Dr Patricia Heavey completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Ulster, where she also obtained her PhD. Following her studies, Patricia spent four years working as a Research Associate at the University of Ulster, where she managed several projects investigating the effects of functional foods on human health. In 2005, she was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition at Kingston University, London. On her return to Ireland she continued to work with various universities and as a consultant nutritionist to a variety of food companies providing nutrition and PR support and advice. She also has extensive experience of working with health professionals, lecturing and presenting talks to the scientific community and consumers, dissemination of healthy eating messages through the media (newspapers, television and radio interviews) and compiling nutrition booklets, guides and leaflets.
Dr Heavey was appointed Manager of the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College Dublin in May 2009. This involved monitoring trends in health status correlated with all aspects of the food chain and advising on these findings for health planners. In addition, the role involved providing information and research expertise, particularly in nutritional epidemiology and surveillance methodology to various governmental and non-governmental bodies. This was delivered through reports, position papers, research projects and supporting various groups and committees. In addition, Dr Heavey managed the WHO Childhood Growth Surveillance Study in Ireland which included the collection of anthropometric and lifestyle data on over 5,000 children in both 2008 and 2010.
In 2012, Patricia was appointed as course co-ordinator and lecturer on the newly established BSc Health Science and Nutrition degree in Athlone Institute of Technology. She continues to be research active and is a member of several committees advising on public health and nutrition.
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Research & Consultancy
Scientific Publications Peer Reviewed Journals
Shrivastava A, Murrin C, Sweeney MR, Heavey P, Kelleher CC (2012) Familial intergenerational and maternal aggregation patterns in nutrient intakes in the Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study. Public Health Nutr.13:1-11
Shrivastava A, Murrin C, O’Brien J, Viljoen K, Heavey P, Grant T, and Kelleher C (2012) Grandparental morbidity and mortality patterns are associated with infant birth weight in the Lifeways cross-generation cohort study 2001–2010 Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Article, pp 1-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S2040174412000451
Gill CI, Rowland IR, Heavey PM et al. Effect of faecal water on an in vitro model of colonic mucosal
barrier function. Nutrition and Cancer 2007, 57, 59-65McGilligan VE, Wallace JMW, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR. The effect of nicotine in vitro on the integrity of tight junctions in CaCo-2 cell monolayers. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2007, 45, 1593-98.
McGilligan VE, Wallace JMW, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR. Hypothesis about mechanism through which nicotine might exert its effect on the interdependence of
inflammation and gut barrier function in ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 2007, 13, 108-15.Heavey PM, Savage SH, Parrett A, Cecchini C, Edwards CA & Rowland IR. Protein degradation products and bacterial enzyme activities in faeces of breast-fed and formula-fed infants. British Journal of Nutrition 2003; 89, 509-515.
Rumney C, Edwards CA, Davies M, Parrett AM, Dore J, Martin F, Schmitt J, Norin E, Midtvedt T, Rowland IR, Heavey PM, Schroten H, Köhler H, Stocks B. A human flora associated
rat model of the breast fed infant gut. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2003; 37 (2) 168-177.Heavey PM, Rowland IR & Rafter JJ. The gastrointestinal microbiota in cancer. In: The Gastrointestinal Microbiota 2006, 225-236.
Heavey PM, McKenna D & Rowland IR. Colorectal cancer and the relationship between genes and the environment. Nutrition and Cancer 2004, 48, 124-141.
Heavey PM & Rowland IR. Gastrointestinal cancer. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology 2004, 2, 323-336.
Goldberg GR, Murgatroyd PR, McKenna APM, Heavey PM & Prentice AM. Dietary compensation in response to covert imposition of negative energy balance by removal of fat or carbohydrate. British Journal of Nutrition 1998; 80, 141-147.
Conference Publications
M Heinen, N Eldin, U O’Dwyer, C Hayes, P Heavey, A Lynam, J O’Brien, L Daly, C Murrin and C Kelleher Waist Circumference Improves Obesity Models but Social Disadvantage Remains Significant: Results among 10,766 Children of the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland. Presented at the IEA World Congress of Epidemiology, August 2014
Published Reports
Heinen MM, Murrin C, Daly L, O’Brien J, Heavey P, O’Brien M, Scully H, Mulhern LM, Lynam A, Eldin N, Kelleher CC (2016). The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland: Descriptives of childhood obesity risk factors. Dublin: Health Service Executive
Heinen MM, Murrin C, Daly L, O’Brien J, Heavey P, Kilroe J, O’Brien M, Scully H, Mulhern LM, Lynam A, Hayes C, O’Dwyer U, Eldin N, Kelleher CC [2014]. The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland: Findings from 2008, 2010 and 2012. Dublin: Health Service Executive.
Heavey PM, McGloin A, Kilroe J, Daly L, O’Mahony D, Kelleher C. (2012) WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative in Ireland. 2010. Main Report. Dublin: Health Services Executive and Department of Health and Children.
Report of Inter-sectoral Group on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the National Task Force on Obesity (2009) Contributing authors: Heavey PM & Kelleher CC. Available at the following link: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/report_ntfo.html
European Nutrition and Health Report (2009) Contributing authors: Heavey PM, Kennedy J & Kelleher CC. Available at the following link: http://www.univie.ac.at/enhr/downloads/enhrii_book.pdf
Training needs assessment for health care professionals for prevention and management of childhood overweight and obesity (2009) Cunningham K, Heavey PM, McConnon A, O’Hara MC Kelleher CC.
Review of best practice to assist the development and implementation of a HSE healthy food procurement policy (2009) Conducted and prepared by the NNSC (Heavey PM)
Family-based approaches to treating childhood obesity –an international review of best practice and a review of current Irish programmes (2009) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Review of the National and International research relating to obesity and the interrelationship between obesity, physical activity, nutrition and other determinates (2009) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
The NNSC (Heavey, PM) contributed the findings from the WHO Surveillance Initiative (2008) to the State of the Nation’s Children Report: Ireland 2010 http://www.omc.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=1511
Assessment of the curriculum for undergraduates and postgraduates regarding obesity prevention and management (June 2011) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Assessment of training needs of Health Care Professionals who provide foetal, maternal and infant nutrition advice (April 2010) Prepared by the NNSC (Heavey, PM)
Book Chapters
Heavey PM & Rowland IR. Dietary factors influencing apoptosis in the intestine. In: Annual reviews in Food and Nutrition Toxicity [Preedy VR & Watson RR, eds] Taylor
and Frances, 2003, 305-330.Heavey PM & Rowland IR. The gut microflora of the developing infant: Microbiology and Metabolism. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1999; 11, 75-83.
Abstracts
M. M. Heinen, N. Eldin, U. O’Dywer, C. Hayes, P. Heavey, A. Lynam, L. M. Mulhern, J. K. O’Brien, M. C. O’Brien, H. Scully, L. E. Daly, C. M. Murrin and C. C.
Kelleher Breastfeeding and birth weight are important predictors for childhood overweight and obesity: Results for 1885 6–7-year-old school-going children of
the Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in the Republic of Ireland. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2015), 74 (OCE1), E126P. M. Heavey, O. McMahon, A. McConnon, U. O’dwyer, C. Hayes, N. Eldin and C. Kelleher Parents’ attitudes and acceptability of anthropometric measurement of Irish school
children. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2013), 72 (OCE3), E144Heinen MM, Eldin N, O’Dwyer U, Hayes C, Heavey P, Lynam A, Mulhern LM, O’Brien JK, O’Brien MC, Scully H, Murrin CM, Kelleher CC (2013) Prevalence of overweight children aged 7 years: Results of the World Health Organisation Childhood Growth Surveillance Initiative in the Republic of Ireland Proceeding of Nutrition Society Dublin, Republic of Ireland 19-JUN-13 - 21-JUN-13
P. Heavey, C. Murrin, U. O’Dywer, C. Hayes, N. Eldin, C. Kelleher (2012) Waist circumference combined with BMI; a better predictor of childhood obesity? ROI data for 6609
children from the WHO surveillance initiative European Heart Journal 33 (Abstract Supplement), 295-296PM Heavey, RM Hughes, C Butcher & IR Rowland. Evaluation of the biological activity of faecal water as a biomarker for colon cancer risk. Proceedings of the Eight International Conference on Mechanisms of Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis 2003; 59A
PM Heavey, RM Hughes, C Butcher & IR Rowland. Evaluation of the biological activity of faecal water. International Yakult Symposium 2003; 15A
L. Hoey. IR Rowland, PM Heavey and JS Brown. Effect of soya-milk formulas on faecal microbiology and metabolism. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2001; 60, 170A
L. Hoey. IR Rowland, PM Heavey and JS Brown. The effect of breast milk, infant formula and soya-milk formula on faecal ammonia concentration and bacterial enzyme activity
in infants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2001; 60, 49AHeavey P.M., McBain A., Rumney C., Savage S., Edwards C. and Rowland I.R. Metabolic properties of faecal samples from breast fed and formula fed infants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2000; 59,62A
Heavey P.M., Savage S., Edwards C. and Rowland I.R. Determination of protein degradation products in faecal samples from breast fed and formula fed infants. Microbial
Ecology in Health and Disease 1999; 11, 107AHeavey P.M, McKenna A.P.M., Goldberg G.R., Murgatroyd P.R. and Prentice A.M. Underfeeding by reduction in fat or carbohydrate intake: Effects on energy expenditure,
macronutrient oxidation and subsequent food intake in lean men. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1995; 54 (3), 160A -
Teaching Experience
BSc (Hons) Health Science and Nutrition
BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health
Postgraduate supervision
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Interests & Professional Development
Invited Speaker: Nursing & Midwifery Research Conference 2017 Regularly contribute to nutrition discussions with media (newspaper articles, radio interviews, TV) External examiner for BSc in Health and Physical Activity, DkIT (2014-2017)
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Membership of Academic/Professional Bodies
2015- Present: Association for Health Promotion Ireland: Function/Role: Vice Chair of Executive Committee
2017- Present: Association for Health Promotion Ireland: Function/Role: Assessor for register of Health Promotion Practitioners
2011-Present: Association for Nutrition Function/Role: Registered Public Health Nutritionist
1997- Present: Nutrition Society: Function/Role: Member
2000-Present: Irish Nutrition Society section Function/Role: Member
2015- Present: Association for the Study of Obesity on the island of Ireland; Function/Role: Member
2012-Present: Health Campus, AIT: Function/Role: Member of Steering group committee