Longitudinal study of changes in BMI [...] in cohorts of school-going Irish adolescents

Project Reference: 04-PG-20

Status: Completed

Commencement Date: October, 2004

Project Duration: 36 months

Abstract:

Longitudinal study of changes in body mass index, anthropometric measures, dietary intake and physical activity in cohorts of school-going Irish adolescents

Worldwide, the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing. Obesity in adolescence is a strong predicator of adult obesity. This project involved a longitudinal study over a 3-year period of changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and other anthropometric measures together with information on dietary and exercise patterns in a cohort of students in the junior school cycle.

A similar longitudinal survey was conducted in a second cohort of students in the post-junior cycle. This generated new data on the adolescent age group 12-18 yrs. This data is important in understanding the evolution during adolescence of changes in anthropometric measures and dietary and exercise patterns, which tend to be maintained into adulthood where they have a major impact on chronic disease.

Principal Contractor(s):

Dr Nora O’Brien & Dr Tom O‘Connor, University College Cork

Collaborator(s):

Single supplier

Outputs:

Reports:

The PhD thesis is available through University College Cork: Longitudinal study of changes in body mass index, anthropometric measures, dietary intake and physical activity in cohorts of school-going Irish adolescents (ucc.ie)