Research
ALSPAC
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children
ALSPAC, also known as 'Children of the 90s', aims to identify ways in which the health and development of children can be improved and made as good as possible. The project is run by the ALSPAC study team at Bristol University and is following 14,000 children who were born in the Avon area in 1991 and 1992. Data was collected from the children's mothers during pregnancy and then from their children at regular intervals during their childhood.
The Prevention Group collaborates with the ALSPAC team on studying physical activity in the children in ALSPAC. Physical activity is measured using an activity monitor (CSA accelerometer) which is given to the children at 11 years old. We are then looking at whether levels of physical activity are affected by other factors, for example the travel habits of their parents or the child's environment.
The Child Growth and Development Group collaborates with ALSPAC to study the contribution of genes and diet in early childhood weight gain, obesity and puberty. ALSPAC provides a unique study of growth throughout childhood. We are looking at body fat levels in nearly 8,000 children using DEXA scans. Further collaborations with ALSPAC are identifying the reasons why infants and young children differ in the types of diet the have. These results will enable us to develop strategies to change these diet behaviours.
