Diet and eating behaviours across early adulthood transitions

ISRCTN ISRCTN10184605
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10184605
IRAS number 331413
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 331413, CPMS 57351
Submission date
24/07/2023
Registration date
11/10/2023
Last edited
11/10/2023
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Early adulthood (ages 16-24 years) is an important period for the development of diet and eating behaviours. This is a time when many people first become overweight, due to changes in diet and exercise habits. There are many aspects of people’s lives which are changing through early adulthood; changes in living environment, moving from education into work, perhaps moving to a new city, changes in friends and relationships. All of these changes may influence people’s diet and lifestyle.
In September 2023 researchers will run a large-scale longitudinal study recruiting 1,500 students with the aim of increasing our understanding of what influences diet during this period of life.
The objectives of the study are:
1. How does diet change from the final year (Y13) of school/college to 12 months later?
2. How do changes in diet differ between those who transition from secondary school into further/higher education, employment or not in education or employment?
3. How do changes in the environment in which people live, work and study influence changes in eating behaviours and diet quality?

Who can participate?
17-18-year-olds who are in their final year of school or college and are living in England and leaving school or college in the next 12 months

What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to complete an online consent form to confirm their participation in the study. Once consented, they will be sent web links to complete a total of four short eating behaviour questionnaires (requiring 15 minutes each) and three diet recalls (requiring 20 minutes each) across a 2-week period. Once completed, Participants will then be asked to complete the same questionnaires containing similar questions in 12 months’ time.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Taking part in this study will allow participants to gain insight into how research works, and may be something they might like to refer to in a personal statement or job cover letter. Participating in research can be an interesting and novel experience, especially for those interested in further education or a career in science or healthcare. It can also be incredibly rewarding to know that they are contributing to health research to improve the future health of the population. As a thank you for participating in the study, £50 of Amazon gift vouchers will be given to those who engage well. There are very limited disadvantages to taking part in the study aside from the time it will take a participant to complete the questionnaires and dietary recalls.

Where is the study run from?
University of Cambridge (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2023 to March 2025

Who is funding the study?
The Medical Research Council (MRC) (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Emma Lachasseigne, emma.lachasseigne@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Mrs Emma Lachasseigne
Public

MRC Epidemiology Unit
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-5819-0845
Phone +44 (0)1223 769211
Email emma.lachasseigne@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk

Study information

Study designLongitudinal observational study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designLongitudinal study
Study setting(s)Home, School, University/medical school/dental school
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not yet ethically approved- will be available on study website once approved
Scientific titleA longitudinal observational study recruiting 17-18-year-olds in their final year of school and following them up 12 months later to observe how the early adulthood transition impacts their dietary behaviours
Study acronymDEBEAT
Study objectivesEntering early adulthood can be an exciting new chapter in young people’s lives. This period often includes changes in living arrangements, starting a new job or a new education course, and changes in friendships and relationships.

Early adulthood is also an important period for health and is the age at which overweight and obesity rise the fastest. It can also be a time of development of new food and exercise-related behaviours in response to new living environments. We want to understand more about the changing influences and constraints which young adults experience, and how these may be related to the food they eat and their long-term health.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 07/09/2023, Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee (17 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, United Kingdom; +44 (0)1223 766876; SBSEthics@admin.cam.ac.uk), ref: PRE.2023.084

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDiet and eating behaviours in school year 13 (ages 17-18 years) students across the transition into early adulthood
Intervention4x web-based questionnaires to assess diet and eating behaviours. 3x web-based Intake24 dietary recalls.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureDietary intake is measured using 3x non-consecutive Intake24 recalls at baseline and 12 months later
Secondary outcome measuresThere are no secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date01/04/2023
Completion date31/03/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Learner/student
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit17 Years
Upper age limit18.9 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants1500
Key inclusion criteriaAged 17-18 years in school year 13
Key exclusion criteria1. Current or planned pregnancy
2. Likely to be outside of the UK in 2024
Date of first enrolment13/09/2023
Date of final enrolment31/12/2023

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Addenbrookes
Addenbrookes Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Cambridge
University/education

School of Clinical Medicine
Cambridge
CB2 0SP
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1223 7692297
Email research_governance@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Website https://researchgovernance.medschl.cam.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/013meh722

Funders

Funder type

Research council

Medical Research Council
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), UK Medical Research Council, MRC
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2025
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Editorial Notes

04/10/2023: Study's existence confirmed by the University of Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee (UK).