Keywords
Food preferences, observational techniques,
mother-infant interactions, health inequalities,
maternal nutrition
Expertise
The public health benefits of a healthy diet are well
established, but dietary habits in the UK remain poor;
people simply do not eat enough fresh fruit and
vegetables.
Food preferences are formed in early childhood and
therefore attempts to reverse this trend may be most
effective in the formative years when eating behaviours
are being established. Determining the early factors which
influence children’s food choice is therefore critical.
The University has extensive experience of conducting
observational and experimental research with mothers
and children. Research interests include the influence
of pre- and postnatal flavour exposure on food
acceptance in infants, and in the development of food
preferences in children. We also have expertise in the
creation and evaluation of observational research with
young children.
Complementary to this research is the exploration of
healthy eating in early year’s settings (nurseries and
schools). We have also examined the care of obese
pregnant women who are supported to change their
eating habits to reduce the risk of poor health in the
long term.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Design and execution of experimental and
observational psychology studies
•
Expertise in observational and behavioural
coding techniques
•
Clinical trials
•
Patient surveys.
Relevant centres and groups
•
Kissileff Laboratory
•
Child Language Study Centre.
2.4
Knowledge synthesis
Keywords
Evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, evidence-
based medicine, maternity care, obstetric research
Expertise
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international
organisation committed to producing systematic reviews
of all areas of healthcare. Cochrane Review Groups
produce systematic reviews of randomised clinical
trials to measure the overall effectiveness and safety of
healthcare interventions (drugs, surgical procedures,
diagnostic tests, physiotherapy, behavioural therapies
etc). These contribute to evidence-based medicine
by influencing clinicians, contributing to clinical
guidelines and informing users of healthcare services.
By identifying gaps in knowledge, systematic reviews
also demonstrate research needs and priorities.
The city of Liverpool (the University of Liverpool
and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), hosts
more Cochrane Review Groups than any other city.
The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group is the
most productive of all 52 review groups worldwide.
It has published more than 350 systematic reviews
and boasts a network of over 900 reviewers worldwide.
We have substantial expertise in planning and
conducting systematic reviews.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Knowledge synthesis – administration and
execution of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
of clinical trials
Health & Wellbeing
21
2.5
Maternal feeding and healthy eating in infancy
Also see:
Food Security & Safety –
3.2
Functional foods, page 137
Health & Wellbeing –
5.2
Obesity, appetite and diabetes,
page 32
Society & Culture –
5.
Cultures and health, page 172
