PhD Study : Investigating the key drivers of food portion size among children; challenges and opportunities in an obesogenic environment .

Summary

The predisposition to overeat in response to large portion sizes (PS) appears to be a ubiquitous phenomenon and occurs irrespective of age.  Several observational and experimental studies show that from as early as 1 year, children eat greater amounts when presented with larger food portions (1-2), even though at this young age, food intake is reported to occur primarily in response to hunger and satiety cues (3). There is a general paucity of research into the key drivers that influence portion control in children. The supervisory team have shown that parents of children aged 3y and under may not consider the impact of larger than appropriate food PS on weight status in their children, or appreciate the potential influence of early portion control on future eating behaviour (4).

The proposed PhD will investigate this aspect further, and gain parental opinions in regard to food PS representative of a broader age range of children. The ‘Eatwell Guide’ (5), provides recommendations about the types and proportions of each key food group to consume daily. However, with the exception of the fruit and vegetable food group, there are no PS recommendations available in the UK guidance. Various PS guides from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the food industry exist; however, these tend to communicate inconsistent and sometimes conflicting advice, which facilitates confusion among consumers (6).

Recent safefood funded research conducted by the supervisory team has identified a strong consumer preference and acceptance of ‘visual’ portion size estimation aids to estimate appropriate PS (7). Understanding the practical implications of the use of simple and visual portion size tools may facilitate the control of energy intake. The proposed PhD will add to this growing evidence base by including an examination of the implications of using practical portion size tools in the home setting (e.g a 200 ml disposable cup).

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 impact and influencers of typical food PS reported among children and adolescents (b)examine typical PS patterns of commonly consumed foods in a representative cohort of both Irish and UK children using national survey data (c)evaluate (both qualitatively and quantitatively) a suitable 200-ml prototype reusable cup, alongside other portion control aids (such as plates/teaspoons) to assist adults and children in managing portion control in the home setting on the Island of Ireland.

This work will form part of a safefood supported project recently awarded to the supervisory team (‘Portion control tools; do they work in practice?’ Ref: 01-2018) (d)investigate parental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding food portion sizes for children from aged 3-12 years (this aspect will extend the previous data collected in parents of children aged<3y (4))

The PhD researcher appointed to the project will be given every opportunity to maximize personal and professional development by participating in relevant workshops, specialist skills sessions, relevant online courses, PhD researcher initiatives and personal development activities organised by the Doctoral College. In addition, the PhD researcher will be expected and strongly encouraged to prepare and present their research findings when appropriate at national and international conferences of relevance e.g. those organised by the Nutrition Society and the Association for Obesity.

References

1. Birch LL (1998) Development of food acceptance patterns in the first years of life. Proc Nutr Soc. 57:617-624.
2. Birch LL & Fisher JO (1998) Development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 101:539-549.
3. Fox MK, Devaney B, Reidy K et al. (2006) Relationship between portion size and energy intake among infants and toddlers: evidence of self-regulation. J Am Diet Assoc. 106:S77-83.
4. Pourshahidi LK, Livingstone MBE, McCotter LE, McCaffrey TA, McCarthy H & Kerr MA (2017) An exploration of parental barriers to appropriate portion sizes for young children: a qualitative study. Proc Nutr Soc 76(OCE3), E105.
5. Department of Health, UK. The Eatwell Guide. Public Health England (2016).https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide
6. Faulkner, G. P., Pourshahidi, L. K., Wallace, J. M. W., Kerr, M. A., McCrorie, T. A., & Livingstone, M. B. E. (2012). Serving size guidance for consumers: Is it effective? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 71, 610-621.
7. Faulkner, Gemma P, Livingstone, M. Barbara E., Pourshahidi, Kirsty, Spence, Michelle, Dean, Moira, O'Brien, Sinead, Gibney, Eileen, Wallace, Julie, McCaffrey, Tracy and Kerr, Maeve. A. (2017) An evaluation of portion size estimation aids: Consumer perspectives on their effectiveness. Appetite, 114 . pp. 200-208

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