It’s challenging to keep up with the big nutrition topics of the day, so the BDA regularly works with its partners to share new research or ideas to support your practice. This series of partner webinars will run throughout the year – catch up on our BDA Conversations here.
BDA Conversations - Role of Probiotics in Constipation
with Symprove - September 2026
One-hour webinar explores why chronic constipation remains such a common and under-treated complaint, what the current guidelines recommend, and what a growing body of research tells us about the gut microbiome and the role probiotics may play in managing mild-to-moderate symptoms.
In this session, you will:
- Identify the unmet clinical need in chronic constipation and review the guidelines for management of symptoms
- Understand the role of the gut microbiome in constipation and probiotic mechanism of action
- Explore new research investigating the role of probiotics in mild-to-moderate chronic constipation
Professor Anthony R. Hobson presents the role of probiotics in constipation.
About the speaker
Prof. Anthony Hobson is an internationally renowned clinical GI scientist. He did his initial training at the University of Manchester, graduating in 1999 with an MPhil in Clinical Physiology and subsequently with a PhD in 2003.
Since then, he has built wide-ranging experience across the NHS and private healthcare sectors, as well as in academia and the pharmaceutical industry, assessing gut function from top to bottom. This spans conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), faecal incontinence, and constipation.
Anthony’s industry experience includes designing and implementing clinical trials to test experimental approaches and innovative treatments in conditions such as IBS, an area in which he has a particular interest.
His vision is that the highest-quality gastrointestinal physiology testing should be available to all patients including in partnership with many NHS centres around the UK to provide these important services.
Complete the survey and certificate of attendance
Useful links
- View speaker slides
- Find out more about the BDA guidelines on constipation
- Watch back the recording from the webinar on the new BDA dietary guidelines for the management of chronic constipation
Catch up on previous BDA Conversations
Omega-3 fatty-acids through the Lifespan: Evidence-Based Insights for Dietetic Practice
with Holland & Barrett - June 2026
The BDA is pleased to be offering another BDA Conversation webinar in 2026.
Low dietary intake of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3PUFA) from seafood is recognised as being the sixth leading dietary risk factor for deaths and disability adjusted life years globally[1]. Whether as dietitians we are providing population level or individual dietary advice to promote health, encouraging an optimal dietary intake of LC n-3PUFA is essential but can be difficult to achieve. Join dietitians, Fionna Page and Claire James, who will discuss the importance and role of LC n-3PUFA in supporting health throughout the lifespan from pregnancy, infancy to older adults. Recommended dietary intakes of LC n-3PUFA in healthy populations vs. current UK population intakes will be explored along with the key challenges in meeting LC n-3PUFA requirements with emphasis on specific population sub-groups. An update on key dietary sources of LC omega-3 PUFA will be explored against a backdrop of sustainability and environmental concerns along with the increasing move towards plant-based diets.
[1] Afshin A, Sur PJ, Fay KA et al. (2019) Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet 393, 1958-1972.
Speakers
Fionna Page
Fionna is a Registered Dietitian with over 30 years’ experience in nutrition and dietetics across clinical practice, the food industry, and for the past 17 years, as founder and director of First Page Nutrition Ltd., a freelance consultancy specialising in generating, reviewing and translating the science of nutrition and dietetics to support the needs of a range of organisations in the UK and internationally. Fionna is a past Honorary Secretary of the BDA, past member of the BDA COVID-19 Clinical Guidance Group and the BDA Evidence Based Practice Advisory Committee, and currently represents the BDA on the EFAD Codex Alimentarius Committee, co-ordinating responses to a broad range of consultations that influence international standard setting in food and related areas.
Claire James
Claire James is a Registered Dietitian and BDA member with over 35 years’ experience in a variety of sectors including the NHS, Medical Nutrition Industry and in a nutrition and dietetic consultancy capacity for a broad range of clients. Claire brings global expertise to her role having worked in the UK, internationally and lived in Asia for 8 years. Her experience spans acute and community clinical dietetics, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, product development, corporate affairs and prescribing governance. Claire is currently a director of First Page Nutrition Ltd.
Useful links
New approaches to managing perimenopause
with Symprove - June 2026
This webinar, led by menopause specialist dietitian Nigel Denby, will explore emerging approaches to managing perimenopause, includi ng how to assess and recognise its clinical presentation. It will also examine the connection between menopause and the gut microbiome, highlight new strategies for supporting patients- including real-world evidence on probiotics- and introduce a free educational programme available to NHS patients.
Translating Microbiome Research into Practice: Probiotics for Women’s Health
with Precision Biotics - January 2026
The BDA is pleased to be offering our first BDA Conversation webinar in 2026. Chaired by the BDA CEO, Liz Stockley, this one-hour webinar will provide an update on the role of probiotics in women's health and how to translate microbiome research into practice with Ro Huntriss RD.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Have a better understanding of probiotics and their role in supporting women's health.
- Highlight key research insights on the microbiome and its practical applications.
- Implement tools and strategies to support patients in incorporating probiotics effectively.
Ro Huntriss RD
With 14 years of experience working as a Registered Dietitian across the NHS, private practice and commercial business, Ro is the founder of Fertility Dietitian UK. She holds two Master’s degrees – in Advanced Nutrition and Clinical Research – is a published academic author, the author of Deliciously Healthy Fertility, and the winner of Best Fertility Nutritionist 2025 by the European Fertility Society. Ro acts as Chair of the Maternal and Fertility Nutrition Specialist Group of the British Dietetic Association, is the nutrition representative on the European Fertility Society committee and is a member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee APPG.
Beyond the clinic: Addressing malnutrition and promoting social connection in older adults
with Wiltshire Farm Foods - November 2025
The BDA and our corporate members Wiltshire Farm Foods are pleased to be offering this BDA Conversation webinar during Malnutrition Awareness Week 2025. Chaired by the BDA CEO, Liz Stockley, this one-hour webinar will offer an update on malnutrition rates and how dietitians are supporting patients at home through innovative strategies to prevent malnutrition in the community.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Be updated on the latest survey data on malnutrition across the UK
- Know more about food first strategies which are being undertaken locally to improve nutritional status
Speakers
Rachel Sipaul, Senior Dietitian, Wiltshire Farm Foods
Rachel is a dietitian with many years’ experience working in the nutrition and food industry. Her expertise of food and nutrition support is in varied sectors including patients in the NHS, residents in care homes and school children. She champions great nutrition across all stages of life, particularly in older adults, by recognising their unique dietary requirements and the integral role nutrition plays in their overall health and wellbeing.
Jen Grant, Dietitian, Food Train – Eat Well Age Well
Jen is a registered dietitian working with the Scottish charity Food Train and leads on their Eat Well Age Well project. Eat Well Age Well aims to improve the prevention, detection and early intervention of malnutrition among older people in Scotland. Jen works within Food Train and with organisations across Scotland to deliver training and implement improvement projects to improve practice around malnutrition prevention and older people’s nutrition as well as working with local and national government in Scotland to advocate for policy changes around malnutrition and the associated risk factors. Jen is also the chair of the BDA Older People Specialist Group.
Join the Wiltshire Farm Foods HCP community
Complete the survey and certificate of attendance
Download the Wiltshire Farm Foods patient discharge information
BDA Resources
The Fibre Factor: A Fresh Look at Gut Health & Beyond
with Danone - September 2025
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1 have a better awareness of the importance of dietary fibre.
2 highlight health benefits of different types of fibre across different populations.
3 implement tools and strategies to support patients in increasing fibre intake.
About the speaker
Dr Bridgette Wilson is a specialist research and clinical dietitian. Bridgette is an Assistant Professor of Dietetics, currently leading research into the dietary effects of fibre modification in gastrointestinal disorders as well as working clinically at City Dietitians in London.
Bridgette’s award-winning PhD from King’s College London was on Diet and Prebiotics in IBS and IBD. Since completing her studies Bridgette has continued to work in gut health research as well as continuing her clinical practice helping patients manage a range of medical conditions.
Questions that were not answered during the live webinar will be added here shortly. Please check back soon for updates.
Complete the survey and certificate of attendance
IBS in Children: The Microbiome Puzzle & Probiotic Solutions
One-hour webinar will offer an update on paediatric IBS. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1 Define paediatric IBS, its diagnosis, and differentiation from other GI conditions.
2 Understand the role of gut microbiota in paediatric IBS and its clinical relevance.
3 Assess the evidence for probiotic use in paediatric IBS management.
About the speaker
Bahee Van de Bor is a paediatric dietitian specialising in gut health and IBS in children and Chair of the BDA Paediatric Specialist Group. As an HCPC-registered dietitian, she has extensive experience supporting families in managing digestive disorders through evidence-based dietary interventions. Bahee is passionate about the role of gut microbiota in paediatric IBS and helps dietitians apply the latest research in clinical practice. With experience in both NHS and private settings, she offers practical, science-backed strategies to improve children's gut health. In this webinar, Bahee will share clinical insights, probiotic strategies, and real-world applications for paediatric IBS management.
Menopause and the link with digestive health
February 2025
This one-hour webinar will offer an update on the menopause and the link with digestive health, including:
- An overview of menopause and dietary implications
- Introduction to digestive health symptoms of the menopause
- New insights from a recent survey of over 500 women looking at digestive health symptoms during perimenopause
- Potential causes of digestive health issues at perimenopause
- Management of digestive health issues at perimenopause
Speaker
Nigel Denby is a registered dietitian, author of ten successful nutrition books and a broadcaster across television and radio both in the UK and Europe.
Complete the survey and certificate of attendance
Does dietetics have a weight stigma challenge?
September 2024
This webinar delved into a recently published study which includes the outputs of the survey. The study examines both explicit and implicit weight stigma in practising dietitians, as well as the lived experience of it among dietitians themselves and towards others.
Watch to hear from the authors of the paper, with a conversation led by the BDA’s Clinical Lead.
Speakers
Dr Adrian C Brown is chair of the BDA Obesity Specialist Group and is a NIHR Advanced Fellow and Senior Research Fellow/Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics in the Centre of Obesity Research at University College London and programme co-lead of the MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) course at UCL. He is also a Senior Specialist Weight Management and Bariatric dietitian with over 17 years of clinical experience and a PhD in Medicine from Imperial College London.
Dr Stuart W Flint is an Associate Professor of the Psychology of Obesity at the University of Leeds, with his primary areas of work related to understanding, measuring and intervening with conscious and unconscious cognitions and where appropriate, applying these to behaviour change. Stuart is an Honorary Academic for the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (DHSC).