PhD Study : ​Nutrition in the first 1000 days: impact on development of maternal and childhood obesity​

Summary

The first 1000 days from the time of conception to the age of two has been recognized as an important period in the child’s development, with implications for the health in childhood and throughout life. Maternal obesity, and hyperglycaemia in pregnancy are nutrition-related complications associated with serious adverse outcomes for both the mother and child. Evidence suggests that gestational weight gain is closely associated with the infant’s birth weight and every additional kilogram of GWG can increase birth weight by 7.35g (Ludwig et al 2010). Additionally excessive GWG is related to overweight in early, middle and late childhood (Leonard et al 2017) and also in later life (Houghton et al (2016).

Pregnancy is recognised as a major risk factor for obesity in women, since weight gained in pregnancy is frequently not lost after delivery and women gain weight with additional pregnancies leading to long term weight retention and maternal obesity. Strong evidence suggests that excessive GWG is a risk factor for adverse maternal outcomes such as the development of gestational diabetes (GDM) which is associated with an increased risk of serious adverse perinatal outcomes. Additionally GDM can affect the long-term health of the mother with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and CVD in later life, while children of mothers with GDM are predisposed to obesity and early onset of CVD. Improved blood glucose control throughout pregnancy and effective diet and lifestyle interventions postnatally may reduce these risks.

Good nutrition throughout pregnancy and in the early postnatal period may lead to improved pregnancy outcomes and long-term health of both the mother and offspring and may also reduce the risk of chronic diseases in future years.

The overall aim of this research project is to explore how the first 1000 days impact on the development of maternal and child obesity. Maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of retaining weight postnatally and development of obesity in the offspring.

This work will be a mixed methods approach. A review of the literature will be undertaken to identify existing gaps in the area. In addition secondary analysis of an existing database will be undertaken to examine associations between gestational weight gain and maternal BMI during pregnancy and changes in weight trajectory in both mother and offspring at 3 time points post pregnancy.

Based on the findings from both literature review and data analysis a small feasibility study in conjunction with a local health trust will be designed to help inform evidence based nutrition approaches for preventing and managing weight gain in obese pregnant women. This will provide an understanding of modifiable risk factors which could lead to tailored interventions as it is widely recognised that measures to reduce maternal obesity are paramount for managing pregnancy complications. This study will also build upon limited evidence base for the use of GWG guidelines in UK.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living