Understanding the dynamics of human body weight change - mathematical modelling across age groups, BBSRC SWBio, PhD in Sport and Health Sciences studentship (Funded)

The SWBio DTP is one of the 12 Doctoral Training Partnerships funded by the BBSRC to provide PhD training in areas of their strategic relevance. The SWBio DTP is a consortium comprising the Universities of Bristol (lead), Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, and Rothamsted Research. Together, these institutions present a distinctive cadre of bioscience research staff and students with established international, national and regional networks and widely recognised research excellence. For further details about the programme please see https://www.swbio.ac.uk/

Location: University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU

Imbalances between energy intake and expenditure often lead to changes in body weight and body composition (fat and lean masses). Despite the simplicity of this dynamic, a quantitative understanding of the processes are lacking but a better understanding would be useful in determining the etiology of body weight balance. Using a mathematical model of the macronutrient balances from adults, this project will develop a model for children and adolescents taking into account differences in growth, maturation and energy expenditure, most notably in the form of physical activity. After physiological collection of various measurements including resting metabolic rate, body composition and physical activity the model will then be tested and validated. Therefore, this project incorporates mathematical modelling, systems biology and applied physiology. The implications for this work are focused on better understanding the issues related to overweightness and obesity across the lifespan and issues related to gaining weight for example, through lean tissue.