This Centre aims to improve the understanding of the development of obesity, including the associated comorbidities (CVD and type 2 diabetes) and psychosocial conditions to identify effective preventative and management approaches.
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
The Centre is unique in applying a multidisciplinary approach to the study of obesity. It integrates community-based programmes aimed the prevention and management of obesity with strengths in nutrition, dietetics, physical activity, psychology, epidemiology, public health and is also involved in undergraduate, postgraduate and professional training and education. Through this integration, they have expertise to enhance the implementation, effectiveness and scalability of programmes within real world settings.
The centre develops novel, bespoke approaches to research that are at the forefront of obesity related work. They have vast expertise, experience and a track record of delivering high-impact research and consultation that draws on our scientific and applied competencies. In doing so, the research and consultancy has led to many real world impacts that have improved the understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity.
THE CENTRE HAS SEVERAL OBJECTIVES:
- The development, implementation and evaluation of novel, community-based prevention and treatment approaches to inform practice and policy
- Understanding the physiological, psychosocial and behavioural determinants that contribute to obesity and its complications in adults and children in differing socioeconomic and ethnic groups
- Delivery and evaluation of nutrition and exercise interventions across the life-course, in all communities
- Implementation of motivational strategies for a healthier lifestyle
- Training and education to support delivery of effective obesity prevention and management programmes and services
Case studies:
- OneLife Suffolk Integrated Public Healthy Lifestyle Service
- UK Soft Drink Industry Levy
- Increasing positive workforce wellbeing and productivity via a whole systems approach
- Weight management experiences of overweight young people
- Contribution of food environment to obesity in England
- Defining Adolescent Activity Space
- Person Environment Relationship and its ability to afford or constrain Health Related Behaviours
- Use of Spatial Data to Characterise the Retail Food Environment
- Moralization of weight leads to defensiveness among higher weight people
- A meta analysis of weight stigma inventories
- Evaluation of the Suffolk Weight stigma campaign
- Exploring and enhancing the National Child Measurement Programme
- Understanding Barriers to Workplace Equality
