ESRC Studentship/UBEL DTP

超重和肥胖影响了英国大约40%的六年级儿童，在贫困背景的儿童中发病率更高。儿童期肥胖与晚年肥胖和慢性病有关，预防儿童期肥胖是当务之急。超加工食品（UPF）是指含有不容易购买的成分的食品，包括稳定剂和防腐剂。新出现的证据表明，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。在英国，儿童从UPF中获得超过60%的能量，然而，UPF摄入对儿童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关系。对于食用UPF的个体来说，卡路里消耗似乎存在高度的个体间差异。对upf摄入量变化的相对影响尚不清楚，更好地了解这些因素对于制定改善人口饮食的政策至关重要。双胞胎研究可以量化遗传和环境因素对个体行为差异的影响，比如UPF的摄入量。还需要检查来自不同贫困程度的儿童的UPF摄入量。模型研究预测，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，缺乏真实世界的数据分析。该项目将使用双子座研究的数据，通过三天的饮食日记来描述英国2岁和7岁儿童的UPF摄入量，包括不同程度剥夺儿童的摄入量；检查2岁和7岁时UPF摄入量与体重增加轨迹之间的纵向关联；检查2岁和7岁时UPF摄入量与食欲轨迹之间的纵向关联；确定基因和环境对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.