ESRC Studentship/UBEL DTP

在英国，超重和肥胖影响了大约40%的6岁儿童，其中贫困家庭儿童的发生率更高。儿童肥胖与晚年肥胖和慢性病有关，预防肥胖是当务之急。超加工食品(UPF)指的是含有稳定剂和防腐剂等无法轻易购买的成分的食品。新的证据表明，高UPF摄入量可能与成年人更多的能量摄入和体重增加有关。英国儿童60%以上的能量来自UPF，然而，儿童摄入UPF对健康的影响尚不清楚。特别是，需要研究UPF、食欲和体重增加之间的联系。摄入UPF的个体在卡路里消耗上似乎存在高度的个体差异。对UPF摄入量变化的相对影响尚不清楚，更好地了解这些影响对于制定改善人口饮食的政策至关重要。双胞胎研究允许量化遗传和环境因素对个体行为差异的贡献，例如UPF的摄入量。还需要检查不同剥夺程度的儿童的UPF摄入量。模型化研究预测，随着UPF摄入量的减少，儿童的BMI显著下降，特别是在贫困群体中，然而，现实世界的数据分析还缺乏。该项目将使用双子座研究数据，通过三天的饮食日记来表征英国2岁和7岁儿童的UPF摄入量，包括不同程度剥夺的儿童的UPF摄入量；检查2岁和7岁的UPF摄入量与体重增加轨迹之间的纵向联系；研究2岁和7岁儿童UPF摄入量与食欲轨迹之间的纵向关系；确定遗传和环境对UPF摄入量个体差异的影响；评估减少英国儿童UPF摄入量的潜在干预措施。

Overweight and obesity affect approximately 40% of year 6 children in the UK, with greater incidence inchildren from deprived backgrounds. Childhood obesity is associated with later life obesity and chronicdisease, and its prevention is a priority.Ultra-processed food (UPF) refers to foods containing ingredients which cannot be readily purchased,including stabilisers and preservatives. Emerging evidence suggests high UPF intake may be associatedwith greater energy intake and weight gain in adults. Children in the UK obtain over 60% of their energyfrom UPF, however, the health implications of UPF intake in children are unknown. In particular, researchinto the association between UPF, appetite and weight gain is needed.There appears to be a high degree of inter-individual variability in calorie consumption for individualsconsuming UPF. The relative influences on variation in intake of UPFs are unknown, and a betterunderstanding of these is crucial to develop policies to improve the diet of the population. Twin studiesallow the quantification of the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to individualdifferences in behaviour, such as intake of UPF.An examination of UPF intake among children from different levels of deprivation is also needed.Modelling studies predict significant decreases in children's BMI with reduced UPF consumption,particularly among deprived groups, however, real-world data analysis is lacking.This project will use Gemini Study data toCharacterise UPF intake among British children at ages 2 and 7 years using three-day diet diaries,including intake among children from varying levels of deprivation;Examine longitudinal associations between UPF intake at ages 2 and 7 and weight gain trajectories;Examine longitudinal associations between UPF intake at ages 2 and 7 and appetite trajectories;Establish genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in UPF intake;Evaluate potential interventions to reduce children's UPF intake in the UK.