B3716 - Ultra-processed food and DNA methylation age acceleration - 15/02/2021

B number: 
B3716
Principal applicant name: 
Oliver Robinson | IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Adam Koczoski
Title of project: 
Ultra-processed food and DNA methylation age acceleration
Proposal summary: 

This project will analyse data already transferred under project: B3258 STOP: Science and Technology in childhood
Obesity Policy

Ultra-processed food (UPF) has become increasingly common in the diets of children, particularly in the UK. Consumption of UPF has been linked with obesity, cardio-metabolic disease and some cancers, independently of total energy intake and nutritional composition. Mechanisms through which UPF effects health remain unclear. DNA methylation can be used to compute a measure of biological age using methods developed by Horvath and others. Age acceleration (AA, having a higher DNA methylation age than chronological age) measured in children may reflect developmental processes and epigenetic stability and is strongly related to child obesity. We propose to explore the effects of UPF on AA in ALSPAC children and its role in the development of obesity

Impact of research: 
May add to understanding of mechanism of effects of UFP on child development. Student will gain knowledge of analytical methods
Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 10 February, 2021
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 15 February, 2021
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Obesity, DNA sequencing, Statistical methods, BMI, Development, Epigenetics, Nutrition - breast feeding, diet