Research
SPEEDY
Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people
The SPEEDY study looks at physical activity and diet in children aged between 9 and 10 years in Norfolk. This study aims to improve our understanding of current patterns of diet and physical activity among children. It is hoped that this will identify specific factors which are associated with diet and physical activity. This information can then be used to help design interventions and policies that promote increased physical activity and healthy eating in children.
Over the summer term of 2007, we recruited over 2,000 children from around 90 schools across Norfolk. Physical activity was measured using questionnaires and accelerometers (Actigraph). Food diaries and food frequency questionnaires were then used to measure dietary habits. Children, parents and head teachers completed detailed questionnaires assessing potential determinants of these health behaviours and the children’s height and weight were also measured.
We are also assessing how the wider environment influences physical activity and diet by linking the data we collect to geographical information systems. In a small sub-study organised by Dr Andy Jones (The Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment [CSERGE], UEA) some of the children are wearing a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as well as an Actigraph. This enables us to better understand in what situations children tend to be active or inactive.
The SPEEDY study is a collaborative study with the Departments of Health Policy and Practice and Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. The study is supported by a grant from the National Prevention Research Initiative. The first results of the SPEEDY study are expected to be available in 2008.
