Managing social environment for reducing obesity in middle-aged and older adults
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Inst of Work, Health and Organisations
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Anne Kouvonen (Principal Investigator) | |
| Thomas Cox (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Hiilamo A
(2017)
Obesity and socioeconomic disadvantage in midlife female public sector employees: a cohort study.
in BMC public health
Kouvonen A
(2011)
Negative aspects of close relationships as a predictor of increased body mass index and waist circumference: the Whitehall II study.
in American journal of public health
Kouvonen A
(2012)
Social support and the likelihood of maintaining and improving levels of physical activity: the Whitehall II Study.
in European journal of public health
Kouvonen A
(2012)
Social participation and maintaining recommended waist circumference: prospective evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging.
in Journal of aging and health
| Description | The results showed that long-term experience of negative aspects of close relationships may be associated with a higher likelihood of increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time. Moreover, we found that high confiding/emotional support from the closest person may, to some degree, help the individual to maintain the recommended level of leisure-time physical activity. However, confiding/emotional support was not associated with improvement in physical activity levels among those participants who initially reported low physical activity, and practical support was not associated with physical activity. In addition, we found that social participation in education, arts or music groups, or evening classes, and in charitable associations was associated with maintaining recommended WC over long term (the participants were followed up for 4 years) among initially lean men, whereas participation in one or three or more organisations was associated with an increased likelihood of ongoing higher waist among initially large-waisted men. Findings for women were less clear and there was no clear evidence to suggest that social participation is associated with maintaining or achieving recommended WC. Our results confirmed that weight gain and physical activity are not determined only by individual factors but also by social environmental characteristics. Our results suggest that high emotional support and stable, nurturing relationships with low levels of conflicts and stress might help the individual to avoid gaining weight and to keep physically active. The grant was also important for capacity building and since completing this study the PI has progressed to a permanent academic position (first in 2012 to Lectureship in Queen's University Belfast and in 2014 to Senior Lectureship in the University Helsinki, Finland). Moreover, she has continued researching social determinants of health and obesity and published widely on these topics. |
| Exploitation Route | In health promotion programmes it would be useful to take the individual's close social relationships into account. Our results further suggest that aspects of social participation may be a potential additional component to be integrated in interventions designed to prevent weight gain. However, the results should be interpreted with caution since the role of social participation for weight loss and among women is unclear and replication is required. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that social environmental factors work in the wider context of health-related circumstances, such as income inequality, which are not easily amenable. The findings are also useful for other researchers in the area of social determinants of health and this is evidenced by citations of the 3 papers produced by this grant (19 citations so far on PubMed Central). |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | The project has made a demonstrable and novel contribution to the disciplines of health psychology, public health, and social epidemiology; both nationally and internationally. The study has advanced empirical understanding and enhanced knowledge by clarifying the possible mechanisms linking social environmental factors, such as social support and negative aspects of close relationships, to health outcomes. The study contributed to the theories of social support and individual social capital. Scientific impact was additionally achieved through building international cross-disciplinary collaborative networks which have resulted in further 4 joint publications in the area of obesity. In addition, the findings have been built into teaching of postgraduate psychology students and undergraduate social science students. Scientific impact of this project was achieved through 3 peer-reviewed articles published in prestigious high-impact international journals, 2 international conference presentations, a presentation in a national conference, and 3 research seminar presentations. Non-academic groups that have been interested in the study include public health professionals, policymakers, journalists, and the general public. The project has enhanced research knowledge in the area of social environment and obesity and the findings have implications for public policy and clinical practice. Awareness of the importance of stable, nurturing relationships might help individuals when aiming to keep physically active and prevent weight gain. In health promotion programmes it would be important take the individual's social relationships into account. The study has been widely reported in the national and international media increasing the awareness of the issues in the public. PI has also presented the wider context of the study (social determinants of health) in knowledge exchange events. This has resulted in requests for further information and discussions about further related activity (such as further presentations). Results have also been used in PI's UG and PG teaching in three countries (UK, Poland, Finland) in which she has hold permanent academic positions since the grant. One of the published articles (Kouvonen et a; 2012 J Aging Health) was included in a sustained literature review: International evidence base on the long-term health benefits of participation in the arts (2014), funded by the AHRC http://longitudinalhealthbenefits.wordpress.com/ |
| First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Inclusion in sustained literature review: international evidence base on long-term health benefits of participating in the arts - {AK} |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
| URL | http://longitudinalhealthbenefits.wordpress.com/ |
| Description | Globalisation and obesity - {AK} |
| Organisation | University of California, Davis |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Research collaboration resulting in a number of co-authored articles on globalisation and obesity. The research collaboration started whilst working in the current project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research collaboration resulting in a number of co-authored articles globalisation and obesity |
| Impact | De Vogli R, Kouvonen A, Gimeno D. Fast Food, Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Role of Market Deregulation: A Cross-National Time Series Analysis Research. Bull World Health Organ. 2014; 92:99-107, 107A De Vogli R, Kouvonen A, Elovainio M, Marmot MG. Economic globalization, inequality and body mass index: A cross-national analysis of 127 countries. Critical Public Health 2014;24. De Vogli R, Kouvonen A, Gimeno D. 'Globesization': ecological evidence on the relationship between fast food outlets and obesity among 26 advanced economies. Critical Public Health 2011;21:395-402. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | International Conference: Social participation and maintaining recommended waist circumference in older adults: results from a prospective cohort study |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Paper presented in the 14th Biennial Congress of the European Society of Health and Medical Sociology (ESHMS), from 30th August to 1st September, 2012, Hannover, Germany. Very useful comments from peers; the comments influenced further research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | International conference: Social environment, health behaviours and obesity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Paper presented in the 13th Biennial Congress of European Society for Health and Medical Sociology. 26th-28th August, 2010, Ghent, Belgium. Strengthening of existing research collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Invited presentation (Lisburn City Council) - {AK} |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "The Social Determinants of Health". Anne Kouvonen gave an invited presentation at "Women's Health Conference - Check Today For Tomorrow", Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn City Council. About 100 people attended, including city councillors, Diane Dodds MEP, Lord Lieutenant of Co Antrim, the Mayor of Lisburn, and representatives of a large number of health-related organisations. Raising awareness about social determinants of health. After the talk I discussed with the representative of Lisburn City Council, a trustee of a mental health charity, and a local MEP, and they expressed interest for my work and further collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.lisburncity.gov.uk/Your-City-Council/Mayor-s-Blog/Mayor-Tolerton-s-Blogs/June-2014/2nd-Ju... |
| Description | Invited presentation in Copenhagen (AK) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Anne Kouvonen: "Physical activity and mental health in older, midlife and younger women". Invited presentation at the National Research Centre for the Work Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark. 13/11/14. There was a lively discussion afterwards with Danish colleagues. Possible future research collaboration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Media: Britons are the fattest in Europe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article in Daily Mirror about Brits being the fattest in Europe with one in four obese. Dr Anne Kouvonen's study into the obesity crisis is discussed. The study was discussed in a national newspaper |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/03/27/crisis-as-uk-the-fattest-115875-22141612/ |
| Description | Media: Britons fattest people in Europe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article in Deccan Chronicle about research at the University of Nottingham, led by Dr Anne Kouvonen, which found that Britons are the fattest people in Europe with one in four now clinically obese. The study was discussed in other media outlets |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Media: Happy relationships may help you keep fit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The results of the study were discussed in ESRC Shaping Society Feature No notable impacts known yet |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.esrc.ac.uk/news-and-events/features-casestudies/features/23560/happy-relationships-may-he... |
| Description | Media: How Relationship Conflict can Affect Your Waistline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An article in Psychology Today about Kouvonen et al.'s journal article on negative aspects of close relationships and weight gain http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201303/close-relationships-and-your-waistline-0 A wide audience of psychologists found out about this research and can apply the results in their work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201303/close-relationships-and-your-waistlin... |
| Description | Media: London diary : eat less meat to save lives |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article claiming Britons should significantly reduce the amount of meat they eat in order to lower rates of heart disease. Dr. Anne Kouvonen of the University of Nottingham is interviewed about the recent increase in clinical obesity in Britain. Discussion (comments on the website) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://pattayatoday.net/features/london-diary/london-diary/ |
| Description | Media: Obesity links are researched |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article in Nottingham Evening Post about a one-year study led by Dr Anne Kouvonen, from the University of Nottingham, to investigate the relationship between obesity and people's environment and their behaviour. Discussion about the problem at the local level |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Media: Tackling the obesity epidemic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Online article in University of Nottingham News in which Dr Kouvonen's research on social environment and obesity is discussed.. Not aware of any notable impacts so far |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Media: Tackling the obesity epidemic 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article on career guide website about the increase in obesity in the UK. Dr Anne Kouvonen is interviewed about her research into how social factors determine obesity. No notable impacts known so far |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.yourcareerguide.co.uk/article.asp?aid=1701 |
| Description | Media: We are the fattest people in Europe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article in Daily Express about Britons being the heaviest people in Europe in which the research of Dr Anne Kouvonen, of the University of Nottingham, to investigate the link between social factors and obesity, is discussed. Discussion about the issue in the national media |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/165440 |
| Description | Presentation at Queen's University Belfast - {AK} |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | "Physical activity and mental well-being in women". Presentation at the Physical Activity Seminar Series at the UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast. 13/06/14. About 25 people attended, mainly PG students and academics. Lively discussion about the study results. Discussions about research collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Project closing seminar : social environment and obesity in midlife and older adults |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Project closing seminar held in Hallam Conference Centre, London, which I organised. About 12 participants attended; academics, practitioners and policy makers. Lively discussion in workshops. (The weather was very poor on the day, it was snowing heavily and a large number of trains were cancelled. There were more people signed up for the event but they could not attend due to hazardous weather conditions.) Further research collaboration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Seminar presentation: Managing social environment for reducing obesity in midlife and older adults |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation in a research seminar in the University of Nottingham. Lively discussion with peers and colleagues about the preliminary results. Requests for further information about the study |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Seminar presentation: Social environment, physical activity and weight gain in midlife and older adults |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation in the Seminar Series of the Centre of Excellence for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast http://coe.qub.ac.uk/index.php/seminar-series The audience consisted of postgraduate students, practitioners and academics. New requests for research collaboration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Seminar presentation: Social factors and weight gain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation in Animal and Nutritional Sciences Seminar Series. Colleagues representing a completely different discipline expressed interest in this research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences/divisions/nutritional/research/seminars.aspx |