A new £6m study into food and health led by four UK universities has begun with the aim to create healthier future generations and a healthier planet.
Researchers will look at healthy eating interventions in schools and nurseries, food retailing, food procurement and farming to address issues such as childhood obesity, sustainability in agriculture and global warming.
The five-year research programme called ‘Transformations to Regenerative Food Systems (TReFS) will also look at how regenerative farming – which promotes biosystems health – can help achieve both healthier populations and environment in the future.
Prof Sarah Bridle from the University of Manchester is leading the data science component of this project. “Food contributes a quarter of all climate change, and rising – at the same time, food is likely to be seriously affected by the changing climate – and we have rising health problems associated with our food choices.” she said.
“So there’s a huge problem! I think it’s fantastic that the UK is investing in finding solutions – its particularly important that these funds encourage collaboration across the sciences, including social scientists and experts in business models.
“I’m really excited to be bringing my data science background to work in a fantastic interdisciplinary team – with the aim of transforming to a regenerative food system – not just reducing damage but making the world a better place.”
The research projects will involve Manchester, York, Leeds, Oxford, City and Cranfield Universities and 21 partner organisations.
