Unlocking the causes of eating disorders: investigating risk factors across development

Summary

Tackling eating disorders is of growing importance in society, with increasing numbers of children and young people referred to eating disorder services. This PhD project focuses on ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), an eating disorder characterised by the restricted intake or avoidance of food. This project aims to uncover the causes of ARFID, paving the way for better clinical support and treatment. You will be part of an international multidisciplinary team of academic experts and people living with ARFID, learn cutting edge data science methods and will benefit from working closely together with ARFID clinicians and services.

Background

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterised by the restriction or avoidance of food intake, often beginning in childhood but can persist into adulthood, leading to malnutrition and psychological distress . Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns but by factors such as sensory sensitivity, fear of adverse consequences, or a lack of interest in eating. Initial population estimates indicate a 1-2% prevalence, yet ARFID remains under-researched.

This PhD project aims to address this knowledge gap by leveraging the unique Born in Bradford (BiB) dataset. BiB is a longitudinal cohort study that follows the health and development of over 13,500 children born in Bradford, UK, along with their families. The latest wave of data collection, Age of Wonder, includes measures of eating disorders including ARFID developed by the supervisory team. The BiB cohort is a multi-ethnic, economically deprived population (two-thirds of participants are from the most deprived quintile in the UK), and therefore this research will allow the inclusion of societal groups historically excluded from eating disorders research.

Specific Objectives

1. Conduct a Qualitative Study Exploring the Priorities of Young People Living with ARFID

Objective: To gain in-depth insights into the lived experiences of young individuals with ARFID and their priorities for future research.

2. Identify Longitudinal Predictors of ARFID

Objective: To determine early-life predictors of ARFID by analysing longitudinal data from the BiB cohort including, environmental measures from early childhood, growth patterns, neurodevelopmental features, and early childhood health records.

3. Investigate Genetic Risk Factors of ARFID

Objective: To explore the contributions of genetic factors to ARFID by analysing genomic data available in the BiB cohort.

The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP is offering up to 21 funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2025.

These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UK Research Councils, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.

About the GW4 BioMed2 Doctoral Training Partnership

The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead) and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities, with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and 'team science'. The DTP has already awarded over 90 studentships across 6 cohorts in its first phase, along with 58 students over 3 cohorts in its second phase.

The 120 projects available for application, are aligned to the following themes;

• Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair
• Neuroscience and Mental Health
• Population Health Sciences

Applications open on Monday 4th September 2024 and close at 5.00pm on Monday 4th November 2024.

Studentships will be 4 years full time. Part time study may also be available.

Eligibility

Residency: The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP studentships are available to UK and International applicants. Following Brexit, the UKRI now classifies EU students as international unless they have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. The GW4 partners have agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees. This means that international candidates will not be expected to cover this cost and will be fully funded but need to be aware that they will be required to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. All studentships will be competitively awarded and there is a limit to the number of International students that we can accept into our programme (up to 30% cap across our partners per annum).

Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of medical sciences, computing, mathematics or the physical sciences. Applicants with a lower second class will only be considered if they also have a Master’s degree. Please check the entry requirements of the home institution for each project of interest before completing an application. Academic qualifications are considered alongside significant relevant non-academic experience.

English requirements: If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements of the university that will host your PhD by the start of the programme. Please refer to the relevant university website for further information.

How to Apply

A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the DTP’s website at gw4biomed.ac.uk. You may apply for up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only.

Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution.

Please complete the online application form linked from the DTP’s website by 5.00pm on Monday, 4th November 2024. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Friday, 20^th December 2024. Interviews will be held virtually on 23^rd and 24^th January 2025. Studentships will start on 1^st October 2025.

Further Information

For informal enquiries, please contact GW4BioMed@cardiff.ac.uk

For project related queries, please contact the respective supervisors listed on the project descriptions on the DTP’s website.