According to Christina C. Dahm, overweight among children and adolescents is on the rise, but it is not evenly distributed across the population.

"There is a clear link to social and economic factors, but we lack knowledge about how the physical and social structures of an area come into play - and how family conditions interact with the environment in which children are raised," explains Christina C. Dahm from the Department of Public Health.

She will therefore analyze geographical and demographic data to examine whether, for example, access to nature and sports areas influences the risk of overweight. Using statistical models and geographic information systems, she can map patterns across Denmark.

"The hypothesis is that it is not only family circumstances but also the surrounding area that shapes a child's health. Some children grow up with fewer opportunities for physical activity in their local environment, which can exacerbate social disparities," says Christina C. Dahm.

The results could have significant implications for how overweight is prevented in Denmark.

"The goal is to create a better understanding of what contributes to childhood overweight so that we can implement more targeted prevention - both at the individual and societal levels," says Christina C. Dahm.

The research project is being carried out in collaboration with colleagues at Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen.

Contact

Associate Professor, PhD Christina C. Dahm
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health
Phone: +45 23 32 18 75
Email: ccd@ph.au.dk