Nese Targen

My Journey

I have always been fascinated by the power of nutrition and its impacts on our health, mind, body, and social lives. My journey to become a dietitian started in 2009 when I decided to move from Cyprus to the UK to bring my dream to life. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Plymouth University, followed with a master’s degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Oxford’s Brookes University.  After acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience in various clinical and non-clinical areas of nutrition and dietetics, I have decided to specialize in obesity, weight management and bariatric surgery.

After working as a clinical dietitian for a year, I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to work in Tier 3 Weight Management service at one of London’s top teaching and research University Hospital (King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) which prepared me for my next job in complex obesity and bariatric surgery field as a Specialist Dietitian. I have been working in this speciality for more than half a decade. I speak English and Turkish and provide care to my clients in both languages.

At present, I work at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as well as in private sector. My role as a senior specialist bariatric dietitian involves working with a patient group with high body mass index (BMI) and multiple co-morbidities such as pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, PCOS etc, assessing and preparing patients for bariatric surgery, providing them with essential pre and post-operative dietary lifestyle advice and monitoring their progress closely. 

What I love about my job is that I get to connect with my clients and build a strong rapport with them, empower, and inspire them to become healthier and happier versions of their selves through dietary and life-style changes. I utterly enjoy being there at every step of their weight loss journey and witnessing their outstanding transformations. Not only the transformation of their bodies yet witnessing the transformation of their mindsets, emotions, health conditions and social lives as well. One other area I am very passionate about is working with culturally diverse populations. Having worked in 3 prestigious, innovating, and culturally diverse teaching hospitals in South, East and West London has enabled me to develop a broad knowledge of various cultural traditions, diets, eating habits, behaviours, and lifestyles. 

As part of my practice, I attend regular national and international conferences, study days and webinars to deliver presentations and to keep up to date with the most recent scientific research to be able to continue providing an evidence-based care to my clients. I enjoy getting involved in research projects and develop dietary resources based on evidence. Hence, I became a member of British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery (BOMSS) Research Group in 2021. 

Specialist Areas of Interest

• Weight Management
• Complex Obesity 
• Bariatric Surgery 

A Little Bit More About Me

In 2016, I have completed a course in level 2 and level 3 fitness instructing and personal training to demonstrate knowledge and skills in this field to provide the best possible care to my clients suffering from being overweight/obesity. My aim is to create a platform for my clients where they can feel confident and comfortable to exercise without feeling stigmatised or judged or restricted because of their body image and their capabilities. 

• 2024 – 2025
• University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust – Senior Specialist Bariatric Dietitian (Locum)
• 2017 – 2024
• Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust – Senior Specialist Bariatric Dietitian
• 2016 – 2017
• Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – Specialist Bariatric Dietitian
• 2016
• King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – Complex Obesity and Tier 3 bariatric dietitian
• 2015 – 2016
• Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust – Clinical Dietitian

• 2025
• Wigg D, O’Kane M, Targen N, Abbott S. A systematic scoping review of multidisciplinary teamworking in surgical services: the need for bariatric surgery research. Metabolism and Target Organ Damage. 2025;5(2):25.
• 2020
• A.Delextrat, N, Targen, G. Impson-Davey, D.Kapsis, J.Bateman, N.Terrados, J. Calleja-Gonzalez ‘Effects of supplementation with Creatine Monohydrate and Beta-Alanine, Alone or Combined, on Repeated Sprint Performance and Physiological Parameters in Amateur Team and Racket Sport Players.’ Kinesiology 2020: 52 (1), pages 125-123
• 2016
• A.Delextrat, J. Bateman, P. Esser, N. Targen, H. Dawes. The potential benefits of Zumba Gold® in people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s: Feasibility and effects of dance styles and number of sessions. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2016: 27, pages 68-73

• 2025
• 121st International Bariatric Club (IBC) – University of Oxford Surgery Webinar – Innovations in Nutritional Supplementation and Monitoring
  Topic presented: Preserving Muscle When Trying to Lose Weight – The Power of Protein
• 1st International Bariatric Club Turkey Summit
  Topic presented: Post-operative Anaemia After Sleeve Gastrectomy – The indications, Values and Risks of Iron Supplementation
• 6th International Bariatric Club (IBC) University of Oxford World Congress
  Topics presented: Nutritional Challenges During Ramadan After Bariatric Surgery, Breaking the Cycle: Nutritional Management of Weight Regain Post- Bariatric Surgery
• The 5th International Congress of the Jordanian Society for Obesity Surgery
  Topics presented: Pharmacotherapy and Nutrition: A Collaborative Approach to Weight Loss, Breaking the Cycle: Nutritional Management of Weight Regain Post- Bariatric Surgery
• 21st Annual Congress of Egyptian Society for Bariatric Surgery (ESBS). IFSO Endorsed Congress.
  Topic presented at Young IFSO Session: Pharmacotherapy and Nutrition: A Collaborative Approach to Weight Loss
• 2024
• The 4th International Congress of the Jordanian Society for Obesity Surgery
  Topics presented: Nutritional Complications after bariatric surgery, Pregnancy after bariatric surgery- dietary management, Nutritional challenges during Ramadan after bariatric surgery
• 5th International Bariatric Club – University of Oxford World Congress
  Discussion pannellist: Managing duodenal stump leak after Sadi-S – Surgical, Nutritional and Endoscopic Strategies.
• BOMSS Educational Webinar – Post-Bariatric Surgery Hypoglycemia by Dr Gul Banobinar
  Participant
• Study day: The Obesity Update 2024 (endorsed by society of endocrinologists)
  Participant

• 2016
• Level 2 Fitness Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training Certificate. YMCA. UK
• 2014
• MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Oxford Brookes University. UK
• 2013
• BSc (Hons) Dietetics, Plymouth University. UK

• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)-British Dietetic Association (BDA), Member of BDA Obesity – Specialist Group and BDA Freelance Group
• Member of British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS)
• Member of International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).