Loughborough University

3

Emily Petherick

OFHS240236

The aim of this study is to find out who is most at risk of having Multiple Long Term Health Conditions (MLTCs) and what people might be able to do to improve their health. Specific research questions 1) Which people have a higher risk of MLTCs? 2) Is the location of body fat associated with higher risks of MLTCs? 3) Do active with MLTCs have different body fat shape or amounts of body fat compared to inactive people with MLTCs? 4) Do active people with MLTCs have healthier biomarker profiles compared to inactive people with MLTCs? Biomarkers are signs of disease or abnormal function that can be measured. In the Our Future Health study biomarkers that are measured include height, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm. As people live for longer, they have more risk of developing more than one long term illness, also known as multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). MLTCs make up more than half of NHS care costs. The chance of developing MLTCs increases as people age, but is more common in those who have less money. However, there isn’t enough data by age, sex, and ethnicity and country of birth to find out who is most at risk. Obesity is linked to MLTCs, but studies show that some ethnic groups are more likely to develop conditions like diabetes with less body fat than white people. Where a person has body fat also seems to matter. Belly fat seems to be more risky for poor health than fat on the hips. Fat might also be negatively associated with other clinical measures like blood pressure. Physical activity might be important for future health. It may change body fat or improve other clinical measures for people with MLTCs. These changes might be positive for future health. This study will try to find out who is most at risk of having a MLTC, and what people might be able to do to improve their health.

This research will benefit people with MLTCs by understanding risks for groups of people who were not included in previous research. This research will benefit researchers understanding of who is at risk of developing MLTCs. This might help diverse and disadvantaged people. The research findings will benefit different groups people by giving them more knowledge about their risks of developing MLTCs. This information might also be useful for the health service to know which groups may need help to prevent getting MLTCs. This could benefit healthcare and policy by improving care. It may benefit doctors to understand which measures of body fat or other clinical measures are associated with MLTCs. The study will also benefit people by understanding how physical activity might help people with MLTCs. People with MLTCs have said that they struggle to know the best way to exercise. Knowing what exercise works best will benefit people living with MLTCs. This might improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Public Health Research

19/03/2025

31/01/2025

TRE