Families sought for health study

FAMILIES in Whitfield, Mill o’ Mains and Fintry are being invited to take part in a study on healthy living, in exchange for free supermarket vouchers.

Researcher Jenny Gillespie, from the University of Strathclyde, is looking for families with at least one child aged 2-5 to take part in her Dundee Family Health Study.

The project examines four key behaviours and habits — play, sleep routine, screen time and family meals.

The study will take place in the family’s own home and aims to understand if involvement in the research makes a difference to everyday routines and to the health of families.

Similar home-based studies in America and Canada appear to have had a positive impact on family health, and Jenny wants to see if it works in family homes in Scotland and could become a larger-scale project.

A researcher will visit the homes of families who sign up for the study and will use measures such as questionnaires and small pedometer-type devices to record their habits.

The families will receive information and support linked to sleep, family meals, play and screen time from Jenny over a period of about six months.

Those who take part will be compensated for their time with free Asda and Morrisons vouchers.

Anyone wanting more information should email Jenny Gillespie at jenny.gillespie@ strath.ac.uk or call 07752 814396.