Monday, 15 May 2023
A new study has been launched to identify areas in Nottinghamshire where people may be struggling to access adequate food and nutrition.
The Food and Nutrition Security Study (FANSS) is being led by the University of Nottingham in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council and is seeking volunteers to take part. The study aims to identify areas where people may not have access to sufficient or adequate food to meet their basic needs - known as food insecurity.
The data collected as part of this study will support the Nottinghamshire Good Food initiative and its aims of enabling communities through food by tackling food insecurity and making sure vulnerable residents have access to healthy and nutritious food
Researchers will gather information across Nottinghamshire’s population via a survey that asks a range of questions about food and nutritional intake – from whether people are skipping meals and losing weight to what types of foods people are regularly eating and those they are missing out on.
Dr Simon Welham from the School of Biosciences is leading the study and working with the University’s Business School to analyse the data.
We know the cost of living and food prices are squeezing household budgets and impacting on people’s decisions about what to buy and eat, and that many more people than ever will be food insecure. By building a picture of people’s actual eating habits we can begin to identify where there are areas in the region that need support and where interventions and resources can be targeted to help those most in need.
Nottinghamshire County Council have launched the Nottinghamshire food charter which aims to tackle food insecurity, promote healthy eating, and encourage skills/knowledge. This study will provide support for Nottinghamshire County Council strategies by providing detailed information on the prevalence of food and nutritional insecurity and aid in the development of interventions to tackle food insecurity.
We are pleased to be working with the University of Nottingham on the Nutrition and Food Security study. Understanding the effect that food insecurity has on our nutrition will provide valuable local evidence and contribute to Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider work on Sustainable Food. Improving food security and access to affordable good food is a key part of the Nottinghamshire Food Charter and the valuable work partner organisations deliver in our communities. The study will make a huge contribution to Nottinghamshire as a Sustainable Food Place to help our communities be healthier
The study is open to volunteers aged 18 years and over who are living in Nottinghamshire to take part in the first stage of study and 200 people from the first stage of the study to take part in the second stage of the study (optional) which is looking into more detail about the types of food included in the diet. In the study people will be asked to complete one online survey, for those who opt to take part in the second stage of the study they will be asked to complete four computerised 24-hour dietary recalls. There is also the option to provide a urine sample.
If you are interested in finding out more or want to take part click here or email
Fanss@nottingham.ac.uk
Story credits
More information is available from Simon Welham on Simon.Welham@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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