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Research in the area of childhood obesity has focussed on the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions. The APPLES Study (1996-99), the first UK school-based RCT was key in contributing to the evidence-base through wide dissemination including 3 BMJ (2001) publications, cited in NICE (2006) and WHO guidance (2004). Collaborations with academics, practitioners and the RCPCH led to the development of further community-based obesity treatment and prevention interventions including WATCH IT; early programmes e.g. EMPOWER, HELP and HAPPY and more recently innovative school-based initiatives involving school gardening. There is evidence of results being disseminated and influencing research, practice and policy.
The research of Dr Duncan Buchan, a member of the Institute of Clinical Exercise & Health Science, has led to two critically important impacts which involve the identification of the prevalence of cardiometabolic disease risk in youth populations and thereafter the effects of physical activity interventions upon cardiometabolic risk in these populations. A key impact has been in the evaluation of the effects of High Intensity Training (HIT). The results have generated significant levels of media publicity and interest from the health and well-being community both nationally and internationally. This work has significantly contributed to the debate and awareness of the importance of physical activity for health and well-being.
This case study describes the research pathway and impact of a behaviour change DVD designed to increase physical activity in sedentary individuals in deprived communities. Developed as part of a randomised controlled trial with the National Institute for Health Research's Health Technology Assessment programme (HTA), together with supporting research expertise, the DVD is now part of NHS/local authority commissioned standard care in Barnsley and has reached over 7,000 individuals and families. Service evaluation data confirm the DVD has significantly improved the cardiovascular risk profiles of users and contributed to a population level rise in physical activity in Barnsley.
It is widely acknowledged that increasing physical activity (PA) levels within `hard-to-reach' groups is challenging. Researchers in the School have addressed these challenges resulting in impacts in two recognized `hard-to-reach' groups: ethnic minority communities and patients who are at risk of disease onset and/or are suffering from diminished quality of life/disability due to chronic disease. In the former, our research has demonstrated how to make PA accessible and appropriate; in the latter, in addition, we have increased physical activity levels. In both examples, our research has changed professional training and/or standards.
The impact of the research described, lies in its ability to identify the prevalence and clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours in young adults, and describe the characteristics of the differing lifestyles. Unhealthy behaviours are primary causes of premature morbidity and mortality. Inactivity, smoking, alcohol use and poor diet are the four major behavioural contributors to chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The findings have been used to highlight the powerful influence of these behaviours on health, and also to highlight the particular impact on health created by these behaviours interacting together. These timely findings will aid health professionals to develop appropriate health prevention programmes targeting young adults.
Obesity has a massive impact on health and threatens future productivity. In the UK alone it will cause hundreds of thousands of additional cases of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer, with associated medical costs set to increase by £1.9-2 billion/year by 2030. Obesity is a particular problem for men: in Scotland more men (69%) than women (60%) are already overweight or obese, but only 10-30% of slimming club members are male. The University of Glasgow's Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme is delivering gender-sensitised weight loss and healthy living programmes to overweight and obese men aged 35-65 through Scottish Premier League football clubs. More than 2000 men have already taken part across 16 football clubs, and the programme is currently being rolled out to Scottish prisons. FFIT is being reformulated for rugby clubs in England and New Zealand and football clubs throughout Europe. The research has been widely publicised in TV and radio, and the Scottish Government has committed further funding to extend the programme.
We improve Public Health and facilitate personal growth through promoting active lifestyles. We have provided an evidence-base of effective intervention approaches across settings, in `hard-to-engage' populations and through distinctive planning and delivery approaches. Our support for practitioners and commissioners has developed (i) ways to show the effectiveness of interventions to increase activity and (ii) programmes that achieve wider developmental aims. These effects are achieved by deploying innovative, often bespoke, realistic impact measures that improve programme effectiveness in locations, venues and groups where other groups do not go.
Research at Coventry University has produced innovative approaches to addressing sexual health and wellbeing issues, sexual health promotion and sex education. The research has resulted in:-
Health inequalities are recognised as a critical UK policy issue with life expectancy gaps of up to 28 years between the least and most deprived areas. This case-study demonstrates how Durham University research has led to: (a) changing health service commissioning (with County Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trust [PCT]): (b) influencing NHS funding policy (by generating Parliamentary debate); as well as (c) contributing to the development of the new public health system in England and Wales (as part of the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010 [Marmot Review]).
The Health Advancement Research Team (HART) members critically evaluated the North-East Lincolnshire Obesity Prevention Strategy, the first such evaluation in the UK. The research led directly to measureable improvements: specific new training programmes and resource allocations; partnership development and co-ordination; health-worker behaviour change; increases in employment amongst obesity prevention healthcare staff; a new communications strategy; and an increase in healthy eating opportunities. The Care Trust considers that the research has had a beneficial impact on obesity levels in North-East Lincolnshire. The research team/Care Trust partnership has strengthened and is continuing, and the results are replicable nationally and internationally.