Determinants of physical activity and nutrition
How physically active we are may be influenced by the environment in which we live and work as well as our socio-economic circumstances, the influence of our friends and family, and our perception of the benefits and barriers to physical activity. It is proposed that larger, more sustainable changes in physical activity are more likely to be achieved by a multi-level strategy combining environmental and individual level interventions.
Our research investigating determinants of physical activity and nutrition can be divided into
- psycho-social determinants,
- socio-environmental and demographic determinants, and
- bio-social determinants of obesity.
Psycho-social determinants
We are well-established in research investigating the psycho-social determinants of lifestyle behaviours. Recent projects focus on understanding social factors around the family and school and their influence on physical activity and nutrition.
Research projects
1. The Bristol 3 Ps (parents, peers & physical activity) project (2007-2010)
The British Heart Foundation awarded a grant for this project investigating parental and peer determinants of physical activity profiles in 10-11 year old children.
Principle investigator: Dr Russ Jago
2. Associations between sensitivity to bitter tastes and consumption of fruit and vegetables among children and adolescents (2004-2008)
The US National Institute of Cancer awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Dr Russ Jago
3. Psycho-social influences on the quality of children's youth sport experiences (2005-2006)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Professor Ken Fox
4. Understanding attitudes and behaviours to heart health: An intergenerational study in UK families (2005-2006)
Unilever awarded a grant for this project
Staff involved: Dr Anne Haase
5. Barriers and enablers of physical activity among American Indian women: The Women's Cardiovascular Health Network (2002)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Professor Janice Thompson
6. Women's Cardiovascular Health Network, special interest project (2000-2001)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Professor Janice Thompson
Socio-environmental and demographic determinants
At present little is known about what changes in the environment may be associated with changes to levels of physical activity. Staff in the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences are at the leading edge of this area of work and are looking at the impact of living conditions and the residential environment on lifestyle behaviours.
Research projects
Project MINA is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) Programme.
A multi-site collaborative research project focusing on the impact of migration and ageing on nutritional status, food practices and health amongst two generations of Bangladeshi women living in the UK and Bangladesh.
Staff involved: Professor Janice Thompson.
2. The PEACH project (2006 – 2009)
The PEACH Project is funded jointly by the National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). The aim of the PEACH Project is to investigate determinants of physical activity and eating behaviour in children.
Staff involved: Dr Ashley Cooper, Dr Angie Page and Pippa Griew.
3. Project OPAL (2006-2009)
Project OPAL is funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative (NPRI). Older people and active living. The aim of this study is to investigate profiles of physical activity in UK older adults.
Staff involved: Professor Ken Fox, Mark Davis and Jo Coulson
4. The Dings (Physical activity and the national cycle network 2003 – 2005)
The British Heart Foundation awarded a grant for this project. Evaluation of the impact of changes to the environment on physical activity and health: a case study of a new home zone and cycle/walk way in the Dings, Bristol. In collaboration with Sustrans, the National charity for sustainable transport.
Staff involved: Professor Ken Fox and Jo Coulson
5. Research Cluster: Designing healthy and inclusive outdoor public spaces for young people (2004 – 2005)
EPSRC/AHRB awarded a grant to support this research cluster.
Staff involved: Dr Angie Page and Dr Ashley Cooper
6. The relationship between the quality of urban green space and physical activity (2005)
The Commission of Architects and the Built Environment (CABE) awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Dr Melvyn Hillsdon
Bio-social determinants of obesity
The department has been able to take advantage of our partnership with the Avon Longitudinal Study for Parents and Children, a unique active database of that involves over 10,000 children. This has allowed us to study a combination of biological, psycho-social and environmental determinants of obesity.
Research projects
1. Physical activity and obesity development (2003-2006)
The US National Institutes for Health awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Dr Ashley Cooper
2. Lifestyle and environmental changes in body composition through puberty (2003-2008)
The Wellcome Trust awarded a grant for this project.
Staff involved: Dr Angie Page and Professor Ken Fox
3. The influence of diet, physical activity levels and body composition on age and menarche (2002-2005)
The World Cancer Research Fund awarded a grant for this three-year project.
Staff involved: Dr Ashley Cooper