Meeting the challenge of the obesity epidemic in children and young adults Dr Ashley J. Adamson Dept of Health Public Health Career Scientist UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE Human Nutrition Research Centre

Aim To investigate the relationships between food choice, nutrient intake, physical activity, socio economic position and obesity. Focus on children and young people and prevention of obesity.

Hypotheses Adult obesity can be predicted in childhood. Interventions in childhood to promote change in food choice and increase activity can prevent adult obesity.

1980: 1980: 11-12yrs 11-12yrs Hackett et al. Hackett et al. 1990: 1990: 11-12yrs 11-12yrs Adamson et al. Adamson et al. 2000: 2000: 11-12yrs 11-12yrs Fletcher et al. Fletcher et al. 2000: 2000: 32-33yrs 32-33yrs Lake & Craigie et al. Lake & Craigie et al. The Northumberland Studies Longitudinal Cross sectional 2005: 2005: 16-17yrs 16-17yrs FSA studentship. Hossack FSA studentship. Hossack

Twenty years of change in dietary intake & BMI Method & yr olds from Northumberland 2 x 3-day food diaries + interview Food & nutrient intake calculated Height, weight, social class

Results Energy intakes have fallen over the past two decades but obesity has increased. % BoysGirls Definition: Cole et al

Results Change in food patterns - sugar. %

Results Fall in % energy from fat NSP and Vit C increased. Calcium and iron intakes have fallen Social class gradients were significant

Twenty years of change in snacking & obesity Food Standards Agency Jan – Sep 2005

Then and now: the stability of dietary intake between adolescence and adulthood Angela Craigie & Amelia Lake Human Nutrition Research Centre University of Newcastle Funded by the Wellcome Trust UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

Aims Test the hypothesis that BMI and dietary intake track* from adolescence through to adulthood Tracking: ‘Preservation of relative position’ Wardle, 1995 To investigate evidence, perceptions and attributions for dietary change between adolescence and adulthood

Methods traced at 32-33y Study repeated + 2 questionnaires Tracking assessed using Pearson correlation analysis Hackett et al, yr olds from Northumberland 2 x 3-day food diaries + interview Food & nutrient intake calculated Height, weight, social class

Food diary - once a weetabix eater…

BMI at 12y vs. 33y Pearson correlation coefficient = (P<0.001)

Obese* Underweight* BMI at 33y BMI at 12yrs & 33 yrs *WHO, 1998

Is this a reflection of dietary intake?

The stability of food intake Fruit and vegetables Fat and/or sugar containing foods Bread, other cereals & potatoes Meat, fish & alternatives Milk & dairy foods

Dietary change over 20 years Fruit & vegetables  from 15% - 25% Fat &/ sugar containing foods  from 21% - 12% Milk & dairy  from 17% - 16%

The stability of food intake Fruit and vegetables: r=0.25** Bread, other cereals & potatoes: r=0.24** Meat, fish & alternatives: r=0.17* * p<0.05 **p<0.01

Attributions for change: Parents 43%: used parents as an explanation for dietary change 34%: parents’ influence was positive “At age my diet was heavily influenced by my parents who ensured it was basically healthy and I think I have maintained healthy eating habits since then.” (Male) 12%: parents’ influence was negative “My parents were not as aware of healthy eating when making my food as I am now.” (Male)

Parental influence and dietary change

Greater  in fruit and vegetable intake Higher social class (2000) Cited parents & negative influence of parents Awareness of nutrition and health cited Factors associated with an increase in fruit & vegetable consumption Moved to elsewhere in UK (2000) Time not citedEmployment not cited

ASH17 - Tracking of change in food choice and BMI: evidence, influences and attributions PhD Studentship Food Standards Agency Alison Hossack

Nutrients Perceptions Activity levels Food choice Snacking Body composition