Francisca Contreras

About

Francisca Contreras is a registered dietitian, obesity specialist and PhD candidate at University College Dublin, where her research focuses on developing competency frameworks to standardise obesity management training for healthcare professionals across Europe. She holds a Master's degree in Nutrition and Metabolism from the University of Barcelona, as well as a Master's in Obesity from the University of Galway.

"Compassionate, evidence-based and person-centred, empowering individuals to achieve sustainable health outcomes through practical, tailored support."On her approach to care

Francisca currently works in the Metabolic Medicine Department at the Clinical Research Centre of St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, where she coordinates clinical trials in obesity and cardiovascular research. Alongside her research role, she works as a specialist in obesity management at BeyondBMI, providing evidence-based nutritional interventions and multidisciplinary support to patients. She also contributes to obesity education through guest lecturing and curriculum development at UCD.

With an extensive background in obesity research and clinical nutrition, Francisca has contributed to multiple international presentations and peer-reviewed publications focused on obesity management, healthcare-professional training, bariatric care and patient-centred obesity treatment. Her work aims to bridge the gap between research, education and clinical practice to improve standards of obesity care internationally.

Who I work with

Individuals living with obesity, including people undergoing obesity treatment or bariatric surgery and those managing obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.

Areas of expertise

• Obesity Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition / Dietetics
• Pharmacotherapy (GLP-1)
• Metabolic Health
• Sleep & Recovery
• Women's Health
• Chronic Disease Management

Registrations & memberships

• CORU (no. DI06239)
• Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI)

Education

• PhD Candidate in Obesity Management, University College Dublin (2024 to present)
• MSc Obesity, University of Galway (2021 to 2022)
• MSc Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Barcelona (2016 to 2017)
• BSc Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Concepción, Chile (2011 to 2015)

Research, media & recognition

Research & publications

• Contreras, F., Al-Najim, W., Le Roux, C.W. (2024). Health Benefits Beyond the Scale: The Role of Diet and Nutrition During Weight Loss Programmes. Nutrients, 16, 3585.
• Contreras, F., Ko, T., Le Roux, C.W., Al-Najim, W. (2025). Healthcare professionals' perspectives on the current state of obesity management training. Obesity Pillars.
• 33rd European Congress of Obesity (ECO) 2026, Istanbul
• IrSPEN Conference 2025, Dublin
• XXVIII IFSO World Congress 2025, Santiago, Chile
• 32nd European Congress of Obesity (ECO) 2025, Malaga
• 9th ASOI Annual Conference 2024, Dublin

Media & press

• Holistic Approach: The Future of Obesity Care, Professional Nutrition & Dietetic Review (Spring 2025)
• Hospital Doctor of Ireland

Awards & recognition

• Award-Winning Oral Presentation, IrSPEN Conference 2025, Dublin