Research
Physical Activity Epidemiology – Ulf Ekelund
Physical activity is assumed to be a key factor in obesity and metabolic disease, as well as in many other chronic diseases. However, for several reasons these associations are still not completely clear. A major reason for this is that physical activity is difficult to accurately measure in epidemiological studies.
The main aim of our research is to improve the methods that are used to assess physical activity and energy expenditure. These methods can then be adopted to study the role of physical activity in the development of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
The overall aims of our research are to:
- develop and evaluate methods for reliable and valid measurement of physical activity and energy expenditure during physical activity in daily life
- understand the role of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the development of disease and the means by which activity can contribute to preventing disease
- understand how genes and other biological factors influence physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Our work has resulted in a detailed evaluation of objective and self-report methods for measuring physical activity which we have implemented in relatively large scale epidemiological studies.
The relationships between physical activity and obesity and metabolic disorders are complex. We aim to explore the specific associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health outcomes throughout the life course. In addition, we want to understand how physical activity and sedentary behaviour may interact in relation to health. In the long term our aim is to find out how precisely measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour in childhood may influence future health in adults.
We are contributing to the Unit’s work on examining the environmental, personal and social factors that determine physical activity. Primarily we lead the work on the biological and genetic factors that determine physical activity. This involves studying the influence of birth weight, early growth, and development during infancy and childhood on physical activity levels and obesity in adulthood.
For further information on the research of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Group click here.
For a full list of studies that the Physical Activity Epidemiology Group is involved in click here.
