How does birth weight affect adult obesity in a low resource context?
South Africa is experiencing rapid increases in weight gain across the entirety of its population. Obesity is rising in both males and females, across all ages and socioeconomic groups. Like many other low-middle-income countries, it is experiencing a double burden of malnutrition alongside these high obesity rates. Malnutrition is present in one quarter of children under the age of three,...Read More
What is driving rates of obesity in Chinese boys?
Over recent decades, alongside economic development, China has undergone a rapid nutrition transition that has resulted in a dramatic acceleration of obesity. Unlike other countries across the world, like the USA and UK, where childhood obesity rates have stabilised, the prevalence in China continues to worsen. This crisis in China is also unique in terms of how it presents between genders....Read More
The lasting impact of where we live
The neighbourhoods we live in influence how we behave and ultimately shape our health outcomes. Regardless of how much money an individual earns, if they live in a less-affluent neighbourhood evidence would tell us that they will have poorer health outcomes than if they lived in a more affluent neighbourhood. This effect is particularly strong when looking at obesity and diabetes. While this...Read More
When do trends of inactivity begin?
Physical activity is important for both the current and future health of children. For a long time a belief has been held that children are adequately active with a dramatic decline in behaviour beginning from later adolescence into adulthood. This decline is much more significant in girls then in boys. Based on this understanding, for many years adolescent physical activity has been targeted...Read More
Antibiotic consumption and childhood obesity
A growing base of evidence suggests antibiotic use results in microbial disturbances in the gut. These disturbances in the microbiome may contribute to weight gain. In comparisons between individuals, it has been shown that those with obesity have a lower diversity of microbes in their gut. This research is supported by studies in animal models. In infancy, a baby’s microbiome is rapidly...Read More
‘’I am more confident in my work with patients’’ – says Divya, CCH Master’s Graduate
1. What inspired you to study obesity care and management? I work as part of a team in Bristol that supports childhood cancer survivor’s long term after the end of their treatment. We as a team perform a holistic needs assessment each time they attend, and promoting healthy lifestyle routines are central to our discussions. I often support patients wanting to make healthy changes hence my...Read More