Research


Obesity and energy balance in children, young people and adults

We are leading the obesity case study of the Environmental Determinants of Public Health in Scotland (EDPHiS) project, which is designed to assess the evidence for and quantify the impact of actions on environmental influences on childhood obesity. Systematic reviews of the evidence for effectiveness of interventions for obesity in young adults and adolescents have been carried out, with school-based and family-based interventions for adolescents under development. In collaboration with clinicians in the Cancer Medicine research group we are developing interventions for weight management for patients who have completed treatment for hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. The Rowett Assessement of Childhood Appetite and Metabolism (RASCAL) project investigated energy balance behaviours and body fatness and obesity and identified an association between TV viewing and body fatness in pre-school children. Further work to develop an intervention to reduce TV viewing in this age group is planned. We are also investigating parents' views on feedback on school growth measurements, and the association between childhood diet and subsequent weight gain in the SEATON birth cohort study.


Diet and chronic disease

The Scottish Collaborative Group Food Frequency Questionnaire was developed for assessing diet in large-scale studies of diet and health in Scotland. Versions suitable for children, adults and older people are in use. The questionnaire has been used in studies of diet and a wide range of health outcomes, e.g. colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function in later life in Aberdeen and Lothian 1936 birth cohorts and childhood asthma in the Study of eczema and asthma to observe the effects of nutrition (SEATON) cohort. The relationship between diet and cardiovascular disease is also being studied in populations with widely differing lifestyle e.g. Kuwait and Botswana (PELO study). We are exploring the association between maternal overweight and offspring health in the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s, which will be part of the Generation Scotland study.


Diet of infants and children

The group were the nutrition lead for the 2006 Survey of Sugar Intake among Children in Scotland which assessed diet, physical activity, weight status and dental health in children aged 3-17y. The survey reported high levels of non-milk extrinsic sugars intake , particularly among older children. Differences in the intake of sugars by socio-economic status were relatively small. A new survey using the same methods is being carried out in 2010. The REALITY project involves the development of a web-based tool for assessing the dietary intake and physical activity of pre-pubertal children, to assist the collection of population-based data in this age group The Talking about Feeding Babies study (link to follow) involves longitudinal qualitative interviews with 36 families in Grampian and Forth Valley.  It explores the infant feeding experiences of women and their significant others from pregnancy until 6 months after birth and asks "What would make a difference?"  The Feeding Support Team (FEST) study uses action research and mixed methods to introduce a specialised feeding support team on a postnatal ward.  The team will conduct a pilot RCT of proactive telephone support to breastfeeding women living in disadvantaged areas for the first 2 weeks after hospital discharge.   Based on the finding in the Study of Eczema and Asthma to Observe the effects of Nutrition (SEATON) cohort study that maternal intake of vitamin E in pregnancy reduced the risk of asthma in the children, an intervention has been developed to increase mothers' intake of vitamin E to meet health guidelines. Plans are in progress for a randomised trial in mothers of children who are at increased risk of asthma.


Healthy and environmentally sustainable food supply

This new area of research will be expanded under the new Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health five year rolling programme for 2011-16, funded by the Scottish Government Research and Science Division (RSD). We will be aiming to define and gather consumer attitudes to a model sustainable diet which meets the dietary recommendations for health but would also reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the food chain. In 2009 the members of the group participated in a one-day seminar on 'Future Food' organised by Aberdeen Collaboration on Research in Nutrition and the University of Aberdeen Centre for Modern Thought. The Livewell project, funded by the World Wildlife Fund, was a pilot study carried out to develop methods to create a diet to meet dietary requirements and reduce GHG emissions by 25% (Livewell report: http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/livewell_report_jan11.pdf ).


Food and nutrition policy

Policy interventions relating to diet and nutrition often have multiple outcomes which may be more evident in the short or long term. 'Concept mapping' can be used to gather stakeholder opinions on the likely outcomes of a policy intervention and the estimated time to detect measurable changes in each outcome. We have used this approach to develop a framework for assessing the impact of the Schools (Food and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007. (Concept mapping pdf)


Undernutrition in Africa and Asia

This builds on past experience of several members of the group in undernutrition and in nutrition in HIV-AIDS in adults and young children. We are strengthening our collaborations in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to develop research activities in this area.

Public Health Nutrition Contacts

Population Health
1st Fl, Polwarth Building
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD

Tel +44 (0) 1224 437266
Tel +44 (0) 1224 437267

Fax: +44 (0)1224 437857
E-mail phnrg@abdn.ac.uk

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