MRC Epidemiology Unit
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is pleased to announce the availability of PhD student places to start in 2025/26. We investigate the causes and prevention of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic […]
Key role for Unit expertise in Lords plan to fix our broken food system
Today the House of Lords Food Diet and Obesity Committee published the report ‘Recipe for Health: a plan to fix our broken food system’. The MRC Epidemiology Unit provided expertise […]
Interviews with UK adolescents living in deprived communities highlight barriers to physical activity during Covid-19 pandemic
A series of in-depth interviews undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic with young people living in socioeconomically deprived communities has highlighted the impact of the pandemic on their mental and physical […]
National survey finds that by the age of two girls already play outside less than boys
The first national survey of play in preschool-aged children in Britain has found that from the age of two-years-old, girls are playing outside in nature less than boys. The research […]
The Conversation – UK teenagers get two-thirds of their calories from ultra-processed foods
In an article originally published in The Conversation, Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde and Dr Esther van Sluijs of the MRC Epidemiology Unit, and Dr Zoi Toumpakari of the School for Policy […]
Ultra-processed food makes up almost two-thirds of calorie intake of UK adolescents
New analysis of data from UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey finds that adolescents consume around two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The research led by scientists […]
Study in 135 countries finds school uniform policies linked to students getting less exercise
School uniform policies could be restricting young people from being active, particularly primary school-aged girls, new research suggests. The study published today in the Journal of Sport and Health Science used […]
Science journals update guidelines after study highlights incomplete reporting of complex interventions
Unit researchers have joined colleagues at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education and Bond University in Australia to call on scientific journals to amend their submission guidelines in a […]
Mums’ activity levels may depend on number and ages of children
Less than half of mums meet the recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity – and mothers of younger children manage to do the least, Cambridge and Southampton researchers have found. […]
Poor professional development may explain failure of push to promote physical health in primary schools
The government’s £320 million drive to help primary schools promote children’s physical health is in danger of failing because most of the teacher development it funds is ineffective, new research […]