Professor John Reilly is a distinguished scholar and leading authority in the field of physical activity and public health science with a specialized focus on childhood development and obesity prevention. He currently serves as Professor of Physical Activity & Public Health Science at the University of Strathclyde, where he was appointed in 2011 as the John Anderson Research Leader. Prior to his position at Strathclyde, he held the esteemed role of Professor of Paediatric Energy Metabolism at the University of Glasgow, establishing his expertise in child health research. His academic foundation includes a Doctor of Social Science from the University of Wales and a Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Glasgow, providing him with a unique interdisciplinary perspective on population health.
Professor Reilly's groundbreaking research has significantly advanced global understanding of childhood obesity prevention, physical activity measurement, and sedentary behavior consequences during critical developmental periods. His work has established evidence-based frameworks for monitoring physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep patterns in children and adolescents worldwide, influencing public health policies across multiple continents. With an impressive scholarly impact reflected in over 49,633 citations according to Google Scholar, his research spans obesity etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment in pediatric populations. His methodological expertise in objective measurement techniques and longitudinal birth cohort studies has set new standards for rigorous investigation in the field of child health epidemiology.
Beyond his research contributions, Professor Reilly has played a pivotal role in translating evidence into practice through significant knowledge exchange initiatives including FitBack Scotland, a national monitoring system for children's physical fitness. His leadership extends to impactful projects addressing 24-hour movement behaviors, child development, and family health patterns, with recent funding supporting work through 2028. Recognized with consecutive Research Excellence Awards in 2023 and 2024, he continues to shape the academic landscape through teaching in the BSc Sport & Physical Activity program and mentoring the next generation of public health researchers. His current work remains focused on developing sustainable monitoring systems and evidence-based interventions to address the global physical fitness crisis in children and adolescents, ensuring his research continues to drive meaningful change in public health policy and practice.
