Childhood obesity: providing the research
19 Aug 2016 04:37 PM
The Government's childhood obesity strategy, launched recently, draws heavily on ESRC-funded longitudinal studies for evidence and recommendations – but these are only part of the range of research we fund into obesity and related issues.
The Government's report cites the finding that poorer children are nearly three times as likely to be obese - one of several instances where data from CLOSER (Cohort & Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources) has been used. Other research using data from the Centre for Longitudinal Studies cohort studies is also underpinning the Child Obesity Strategy, including the Millennium Cohort Study. This is one of several longitudinal studies supported by ESRC funding – but only part of ESRC's investment in obesity research.
- The ESRC Strategic Network for Obesity is exploring how 'big data' such as retail data on food purchases, annual health surveys and gym memberships can best be used to understand and tackle obesity. The network brings together experts from different fields in a series of seminars.
- An ESRC-funded research project focusing on fast food outlets developed a toolkit to help them cut down on fat, salt and sugar in the food they provide.
- Supermarkets' 'buy one, get one free' promotions of cheap, unhealthy foods has come under fire as a potential driver for obesity - explored in our evidence briefing Food price promotions and public health.
- Research from the Centre for Market and Public Organisation has shown thatpoorer people are less physically active. Combined with a poorer diet, this can leave them more at risk of obesity than higher earners.
- As one of the major funders of publich health research we part-fund five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence, including CEDAR - the Centre for Diet and Activity Research. Our evidence briefing Supporting health and activity in schools was based on the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study from CEDAR.
- Another of the UKCRC centres, Fuse (the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health), aims to transform health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Fuse research underpinned the evidence briefing Cutting children's exposure to unhealthy food advertisements, exploring the amount of junk food ads aimed at children.
- The ESRC International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Healthexplores how different factors impacts on people's outcomes in life, including childhood health and wellbeing.
Further information