Longitudinal Trajectories of Child Growth in Manchester (Phase 2)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Longitudinal Trajectories of Child Growth in Manchester: When is the Tipping Point for Obesity? Phase 2: Prospective Data

  • IRAS ID

    186994

  • Contact name

    Matthew Sperrin

  • Contact email

    matthew.sperrin@manchester.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    4 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Manchester has some of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the UK; at age 11, one in four Manchester children are obese. Obesity at childhood is a strong risk factor for a continued obesity trajectory into adulthood, and a range of later life health conditions such as coronary heart disease.

    The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) weighs and measures children at age 4/5 (reception) and age 10/11 (year 6). Additionally, a scheme is being rolled out in Manchester in which children are weighed and measured every year throughout primary school age. Parental awareness of their child's BMI is raised through an online database and feedback system, the Children’s Health and Monitoring Programme (CHAMP).

    The aim of this study is to use the anonymised height and weight data for children across Manchester to understand the growth of children. In particular we are interested in identifying whether there is an age at which there is a ‘tipping point’ when children are on an irreversible pathway to obesity, and whether engagement with CHAMP is associated with lower levels of obesity.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/YH/0408

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Aug 2015

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion