PhD Study : Influencing dietary behaviours in teenagers to reduce the risk of obesity: a mixed methods approach.

Summary

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents aged 5-19 has risen from 4% in 1975 to approximately 20% in 2016 (NICE 2013) and evidence suggests that up to 79% of children who are obese in their early teens are likely to remain obese as adults ( NICE 2013). Overweight and obese children have an increased risk of developing chronic diseases for example type 2 diabetes which has increased recently in UK and previously unknown.

Obesity  is a disease of multiple aetiology and as such, recognises over 100 factors as influential in energy balance (Foresight report Butland et al 2007). Whilst the genetic predisposition to childhood obesity is well documented, evidence reports that 90% of cases are owing to environmental factors . Such factors include physical inactivity, large portion sizes and energy dense foods, characteristic of the ‘obesogenic’ environment children currently reside in.

A modern-shift in diet, including an increase in processed-food consumption and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) with a decrease of fruits and vegetables, has also been linked to the increase of childhood obesity (French et al. 2001; Ludwig et al. 2001). There is an increased interest in looking at food intake though rather than energy and nutrients alone as a determinant of risk among children, however, findings are also inconsistent (Emmett et al 2015).

This PhD uses a mixed method approach:

1) nutritional analysis of recently collected data collected as part of the 12 year follow up Belfast cohort of children who participated in the Hyperglycaemic and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (HAPO) study: an observational study investigating the risk of adiposity on chronic disease.

2) recruiting teenagers from local schools to participate in focus groups and design an appropriate educational resource and pilot this as a way to influence eating behaviours with respect to fruit and vegetables.

Preliminary analysis of data at 6 years identified children whose dietary patterns contained greater sugary-snacks and lower intakes of fruit and vegetables were at increased risk of being overweight. In addition previous work in University students showed that providing fruit and vegetables increased consumption, however information provided by social networks did not influence dietary behaviours.

The main objectives of the proposed PhD research will be met using a range of research methods to:

a) systematically review and evaluate the literature and other relevant sources of information to determine the influencers for dietary behaviours and most effective education methods in teenagers

b) to examine the changes in nutritional and physical activity over time in a cohort of  children from HAPO Family study .

c) undertake focus groups in teenagers to explore eating behaviours experiences, influencers and identify an appropriate education tool in this age group

d) design an educational tool to promote healthy eating and pilot this within a small number of teenagers

The PhD researcher will be encouraged to engage in personal development activities including attending and presenting results at relevant conferences.

References

Butland, B., Jebb, S., Kopelman, P., et al. (2007) Tackling Obesities: Future Choices – Project Report: 2^nd Edition. Foresight: Government Office for Science. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287937/07-1184x-tackling-obesities-future-choices-report.pdf.

Emmett, P., Jones, L., Northstone, K. (2015) Dietary patterns in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Nutrition Reviews, 73(S3), 207-230

French, S., Story, M., Jeffery, R. (2001) Environmental influences on eating and physical activity. Annual Review of Public Health, 22, 309–335

Ludwig, D., Peterson, K., Gortmaker, S. (2001) Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. Lancet, 357(9255), 505-508.

NICE (2013) Weight management: lifestyle services for overweight or obese children and young people. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph47/resources/weight-management-lifestyle-services-for-overweight-or-obese-children-and-young-people-pdf-1996362978757

World Health Organization (2010). Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health - Childhood overweight

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

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• 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