Biological drivers of health inequalities: impact of diet on the gut microbiome in preschool children.

In Sheffield there is a 15-year gap in the onset of chronic health conditions between the most and least affluent areas of the city. This is related to poverty and inequality resulting in food insecurity. The most deprived communities consume the least healthy diets. Children from low-income families are more likely to be living in nutrient-insecure households with reduced access to and availability of nutrient-dense, fresh foods. Even in early childhood data shows that children in deprived areas consume greater amounts of processed foods, high in salt, sugar and fat and fewer fresh fruits and vegetables.

The gut microbiome influences various aspects of well-being including mood, cognition, immune function, and metabolic processes. Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a more diverse and beneficial gut microbiome, suggesting that plant-based foods can positively influence gut health. Establishing good nutritional habits in the early years is important to improve later physical and mental health outcomes.

This PhD will map the development of the gut microbiome in the early years of life and assess the impact of dietary intervention to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

The PhD will recruit preschool children attending nursery in the most and least deprived areas of Sheffield. Baseline measurements of habitual diet, parental feeding practices, psychological and cognitive development and fecal samples will be taken. A co-designed intervention to increase F&V intake in preschool children will be implemented to evaluate the impact of increasing F&V intake on gut microbiome, health, wellbeing and cognitive development.

This research will characterise gut-microbiome development in early life and the impact of diet in response to increased intake of F&V. It will inform diet interventions in nursery-age children improving their health and developmental trajectories.