Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity; Knowledge Hub to integrate and develop infrastructure for research across Europe

Lead Researcher:

Dr Donal O'Gorman

Award Date:

1 January 2013

Host Institution:

Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick and University College Cork

Scheme:

JPI_HDHL DEDIPAC Knowledge Hub

Summary:

The Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub (KH) is the first pilot to contribute to the DEDIPAC pillar of the Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) ‘A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life’.
The objective as formulated in the JPI is “to understand the determinants, at both the individual and group levels, regarding dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours using a broad multidisciplinary approach, including biological, ecological, psychological, sociological, economic and other socio-economic perspectives, and their interrelationships and to translate this knowledge into a more effective promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity.”
This first pilot of the JPI aims to build a knowledge hub for future monitoring, research and translation of research to policy and practice regarding determinants of dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours.
The specific objectives of the proposed DEDIPAC KH are to:
A. Develop a network and infrastructure of researchers from different disciplines for:
1) Monitoring and surveillance of dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, their individual, social and environmental level determinants, and multi-level and policy interventions across the life course;
2) Determinant research on dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours across the life course;
3) Evaluation and benchmarking of multi-level public health and policy interventions aimed at improving dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours across the life course.
B. Develop an online toolbox of best-practice and state-of-the-art research methodologies in order to aim for better harmonization and comparability between European countries.
C. Pilot test and optimize these infrastructures and methodologies across the participating European countries.
D. Establish a critical mass in this strategic research area via excellent science, sharing of research facilities, exchange of and between researchers across countries, training of young scientists and other capacity building efforts.
The DEDIPAC KH will consist of three interconnected thematic areas and an overarching management structure, which will coordinate the KH work, dissemination and capacity building. The thematic areas are:
1) Assessment and harmonisation of methods for future research, surveillance and monitoring, and evaluation of interventions and policies;
2) Determinants of dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life course and in vulnerable groups;
3) Evaluation and benchmarking of public health and policy interventions aimed at improving dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life course.