Diet Nutrition
The Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) is an ongoing observational study (circa 30 years) of over 2500 mother-child pairs, based in the Republic of Seychelles, which is investigating the effects of prenatal fish consumption and methylmercury exposure on child development. Across three cohorts (the Main Cohort, Nutrition Cohort I and Nutrition Cohort II), dietary information has been collected at various stages of the lifecycle using a combination of diet diaries, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and fish use questionnaires (FUQ). The data generated provide an estimate of semi-quantitative nutrient and food intakes, as well as qualitative data on food consumption patterns. Recently there has been increasing interest in the analysis of the whole diet using a ‘dietary pattern’ approach in order to investigate associations with various health and disease outcomes (1). In the SCDS a plethora of information exists on the cognitive development and physical health of the participants (2-4). In the Main Cohort, various markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk have been collected including blood pressure, heart rate variability, lipid profile, homocysteine and inflammatory markers. Body composition data collected in the Main and Nutrition Cohort II (NC2) include weight, % body fat, waist and hip circumferences. However these data have not been fully investigated to date. Currently the study is re-enrolling the Main cohort and NC2 with the aim of collecting a wealth of new data to contribute to this PhD. The habitual diet in Seychelles is unique with respect to its high consumption of fish (5). However, the dietary preference of this developing country is changing with a greater demand for convenient, processed foods. It is known that the Seychelles is fast becoming one of the most obese African nations. This PhD is therefore timely in that it will investigate the role which diet and nutrition play in the development of obesity and cardiovascular disease (6-8). The aim of this project is to investigate changing dietary patterns in the SCDS and to evaluate the implications for public health outcomes, including markers of body composition and CV risk in the Seychelles (4-7). Working closely with Public Health Seychelles, this project will work with existing data and collect new dietary, anthropometric, body composition, health and cognitive data collected across several ages within the SCDS. The student will liaise regularly with study collaborators based in the Seychelles and in the University of Rochester, New York, particularly in the collection of new dietary data. Information derived from this PhD will impact on public health policies within Seychelles including the Healthly Eating guidelines. This PhD will:
1. Investigate changes over 30 years in dietary habits (including trends in fish consumption) in three SCDS cohorts using existing data. Data are available across the lifespan, spanning pregnancy up to 60 years of age.
2. Collect new dietary data in
each cohort to re-evaluate dietary patterns in this developing country using
LIBRO, Nutritics (https://www.nutritics.com/p/libro), involving the creation of
specific food codes and recipes to the Seychellois diet.
3. Assess body composition (by TANITA and Achilles bone densitometer) in each cohort and analyse recently collected blood samples for relevant biomarkers of health and nutritional status.
4. Examine associations between dietary patterns and various health outcomes, including body composition and CV risk factors.
5. The PhD researcher appointed to this project will be given every opportunity to maximise on training by participating in relevant workshops, specialist skills sessions, relevant online courses, PhD researcher initiatives and personal development activities organised by the Doctoral College. In addition, the student will be expected and strongly encouraged to prepare and present their research findings when appropriate at national and international conferences.
For details and how to apply please see: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/794734
For further information please contact: Dr Alison Yeates: [Email Address Removed]
Interviews by Faculties: April 2021
Outcome letters sent to applicants: Late April/early May 2021
Scholarships commence: September 2021
Eligibility Criteria
· Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second-class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study. Applicants deemed by Senate to hold an equivalent qualification will also be considered.
· Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing researchers, are NOT eligible for a scholarship.
· All applicants should also hold a relevant English language qualification. All applications for scholarships will be considered on a competitive basis and with regard to the applicant’s qualifications, skills, experience and interests.
· Competition for funded entry is very high. It is important that all parts of the application process are completed in accordance with the instructions. All applicants are advised to discuss their application with the staff noted within the project description prior to submission.
· Applicants should note that disclosure of disability or personal circumstances should be made as part of the application process or as soon as possible thereafter in order to facilitate any necessary accommodation.