Preventing weight gain over the Christmas holidays
Studies show that Christmas holidays are a very high risk period for weight gain that is not later compensated and retention therefore occurs. Holiday periods are a high risk time for weight gain because they typically involve consumption of high fat energy dense food, increased snacking, reduced physical activity, increased alcohol consumption, longer eating durations and easy access to food.
People often feel holiday periods are a time where they can eat what they chose. There is a need therefore to investigate the effectiveness of simple, low cost interventions that can be delivered to prevent the public from gaining weight. With funding from the University of Birmingham for a PhD studentship we will assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention to prevent weight gain over the Christmas holidays. This study will start in September 2016 and run for three years. (PhD supervisors: Drs Amanda Daley and Helen Parretti, Professor Sheila Greenfield).
Preventing weight regain after weight loss (LIMIT Study)
Typically people who try to lose weight will regain, most, if not all of this weight over time. With funding from the NIHR Public Health Research Programme we conducted a randomised controlled trial (n=583) "The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention to promote regular self weighing to prevent weight regain after weight loss." This study was a collaboration between the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford. (PI: Dr Amanda Daley). BMC Public Health study protocol.
Preventing weight gain after kidney transplantation
We are investigating the feasibility of an intervention to prevent weight gain in renal transplant recipients. Previous studies have shown that renal transplant recipients gain weight post transplant and that obesity and weight gain lead to poorer outcomes with regards to mortality and morbidity including graft function and failure. This study involves an intervention that is embedded into existing outpatient contacts and so could be relatively easily implemented by the NHS if effective. We are investigating the feasibility of a behavioural change intervention that includes a weight management consultation from a dietitian with regular monitoring and feedback on an individual’s weight. NIHR CLAHRC-West Midlands are also part funding this study. (PI: Dr Helen Parretti).
Preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy (POPS and POPS2)
Many women gain excessive weight during pregnancy and this can cause complications for the mother and the baby. We conducted a feasibility trial followed by an RCT to examine the effectiveness of regular weighing and feedback by community midwives in preventing excessive weight gain in pregnant women. The NIHR School for Primary Care Research, NIHR CLAHRC-Oxford and NIHR CLAHRC-West Midlands funded the study. Springer study publications
Healthy dads, Healthy Kids UK
This study took a healthy lifestyles programme developed in Australia by Professor Phil Morgan and colleagues for fathers and their primary school aged children and adapted and tested it in the multi-ethnic UK context. This study was a collaboration between the Universities of Birmingham and Newcastle, New South Wales and the Fatherhood Institute. It was funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme. (PI: Professor Kate Jolly). Discover more information about the study.
Prevention and management of obesity in children
A number of studies are led by Professor Peymane Adab and Dr Miranda Pallan
The development of a childhood obesity prevention intervention focused on South Asian children.
This is one of the largest childhood obesity prevention studies undertaken to date, set in a diverse socioeconomic and multi-ethnic population and addressing the main limitations identified in previous research.
The design and development of a child weight management programme that is culturally relevant to minority ethnic groups.
Development and evaluation of a childhood obesity prevention intervention targeting children, as well as their parents, grandparents and school teachers through primary schools in Guangzhou, China.
Childhood obesity determinants in China Study
This collaborative study with Guangzhou CDC, aims to examine modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity among urban Chinese children.
Effectiveness of monetary incentives on child nutritional status and development among left-behind children in rural China
This cluster randomised controlled trial is a collaboration between our research team and researchers in Central South University, Changsha, China, and aims to tackle the important health problem of children affected by rural-urban migration in China.