B2102 - Novel Methods to Study Diet andObesity Compared to Genetics and Other Lifestyle Factors Agent-Based Modelling - 31/10/2013

B number: 
B2102
Principal applicant name: 
Dr Kirstin Newby (Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA)
Co-applicants: 
Dr Kate Northstone (University of Bristol, UK), Dr Alison Field (Harvard School of Public Health, USA), Dr Ross Hammond (Harvard School of Public Health, USA)
Title of project: 
Novel Methods to Study Diet and Obesity Compared to Genetics and Other Lifestyle Factors: Agent-Based Modelling.
Proposal summary: 

Our specific aims are:

1. Derive empirical lifestyle patterns using cluster and/or factor analysis in a cohort of British

children.

2. Develop a mathematical model to simulate the association between derived dietary patterns and

other lifestyle factors (breakfast consumption, family dinner, breastfeeding history) and demographic

covariates (age, sex, socioeconomic status) with body fat using agent-based modeling (ABM).

3. Test the model using data collected from children aged 10 to 13 years over 4 time points (2004,

2006, 2008) to determine which variables are most strongly associated with changes in body fat over time

as children transition into adolescence.

4. Examine whether and how associations between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and obesity

shift when genetic data are included in the model (subset analysis*).

5. Reproduce aims 1 through 3 in a large prospective cohort of American children aged 10 to 13 y.

Date proposal received: 
Monday, 28 October, 2013
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 31 October, 2013
Keywords: 
Genetics, Methods, Obesity
Primary keyword: 
Diet