Understanding the Role of the Food Environment in Susceptibility to Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Biopsychosocial Interactions
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology
Abstract
Background
In England, 22% of children aged 4-5 years and 37% of those aged 10-11 years are living with overweight or obesity. Early-life obesity often persists into adulthood and increases the risk of numerous health issues. Understanding the causes of childhood obesity is crucial for developing effective public health interventions. Obesity is frequently linked to the modern food environment, characterised by the availability of cheap, energy-dense foods. Despite the prevalence of such environments, not all children develop obesity, suggesting that genetic susceptibility plays a role. The Behavioural Susceptibility Theory (BST) posits that genetic predispositions related to food responsiveness and satiety can influence overeating behaviours in obesogenic environments.
Objectives
This research aims to explore the interactions between neighbourhood food environments and genetic susceptibility to obesity in children. It will address five primary questions:
1. Do children in obesogenic food environments exhibit greater appetites and increases in appetite over time?
2. Is there a higher total energy intake and consumption of energy-dense foods among children living in more obesogenic food environments, and does appetite mediate or moderate these associations?
3. Do children living in more obesogenic food environments show steeper weight gain trajectories, with appetite acting as a mediator or moderator?
4. Does genetic influence on body weight vary by the obesogenic nature of the food environment?
5. What are parents' and children's perceptions of the food environment's role in their eating behaviours, and what regulatory policies do they support?
In England, 22% of children aged 4-5 years and 37% of those aged 10-11 years are living with overweight or obesity. Early-life obesity often persists into adulthood and increases the risk of numerous health issues. Understanding the causes of childhood obesity is crucial for developing effective public health interventions. Obesity is frequently linked to the modern food environment, characterised by the availability of cheap, energy-dense foods. Despite the prevalence of such environments, not all children develop obesity, suggesting that genetic susceptibility plays a role. The Behavioural Susceptibility Theory (BST) posits that genetic predispositions related to food responsiveness and satiety can influence overeating behaviours in obesogenic environments.
Objectives
This research aims to explore the interactions between neighbourhood food environments and genetic susceptibility to obesity in children. It will address five primary questions:
1. Do children in obesogenic food environments exhibit greater appetites and increases in appetite over time?
2. Is there a higher total energy intake and consumption of energy-dense foods among children living in more obesogenic food environments, and does appetite mediate or moderate these associations?
3. Do children living in more obesogenic food environments show steeper weight gain trajectories, with appetite acting as a mediator or moderator?
4. Does genetic influence on body weight vary by the obesogenic nature of the food environment?
5. What are parents' and children's perceptions of the food environment's role in their eating behaviours, and what regulatory policies do they support?
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR/W006774/1 | 30/09/2022 | 29/09/2030 | |||
| 2854197 | Studentship | MR/W006774/1 | 30/09/2023 | 29/09/2027 |