MRC Epidemiology Unit
The Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour, Environmental Determinants in Young People (SPEEDY) study aimed to examine change in physical activity and dietary behaviour and their determinants in children and is a population-based prospective cohort study.
The SPEEDY cohort consisted of 2064 Year 5 children (9 – 10 years old) recruited from 92 primary schools across the county of Norfolk, UK in 2007. Baseline measures included accelerometer-assessed and self-reported activity, 4-day food diary, anthropometry (height, weight, waist circumference, impedance), questionnaires on determinants for children, schools, and parents, school audit, and objective environmental assessment with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
A 1-year follow up (SPEEDY-2) was completed in 2008 using a postal survey design; 1019 children took part, wearing an Actigraph accelerometer for 7 days and completing a questionnaire on determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Four-year follow up (SPEEDY-3) was completed in 2011; measurements were conducted in secondary schools and 490 participants consented. All baseline measures were repeated; additional measures included GPS monitoring, blood pressure, and assessment of social networks.