Research led by WRI Associate Director Professor Carolyn Summerbell and colleagues in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has been recognised in newly published World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the integrated management of obesity in children and adolescents.
The guidelines draw on several internationally significant research outputs from Durham, including three Cochrane systematic reviews examining obesity prevention interventions for children and young people, alongside evidence from the NIHR-funded ESSCOPE project. Together, these studies have helped strengthen the evidence base informing global policy and practice in childhood obesity prevention.
While the WHO guidance focuses largely on the management and treatment of obesity, it also includes a notable emphasis on physical activity, particularly in relation to equity and disability. The inclusion of these themes reflects the growing influence of research highlighting the importance of accessible opportunities for physical activity in supporting children's health and wellbeing.
The citation of Durham-led research within WHO guidance represents a significant achievement, demonstrating how research conducted in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is contributing to discussions and decision-making at the highest international level.
For Professor Carolyn Summerbell and her collaborators, this recognition highlights years of work dedicated to understanding how best to prevent obesity in childhood and improve health outcomes for future generations.
The inclusion of Durham research in these influential guidelines is a testament to the department's commitment to producing high-quality, impactful research that helps shape policy and improve lives around the world.
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