Ta Cheng Di Qu

Obesity rates have more than doubled worldwide between 1990 and 2022, posing a major public health challenge. In China, over half of adults and more than a quarter of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to many health problems throughout life, including impacts on children's growth and brain development, as well as increased risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers in adults. It also creates significant social and economic burdens. This research will measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in healthy Chinese children aged 7 to 18 and adults aged 30 to 60 using the gold-standard doubly labelled water (DLW) method. Alongside TEE, the study will collect detailed body measurements, blood tests, gut microbiota samples, questionnaires about diet and lifestyle, physical activity tracking with accelerometers, and environmental temperature monitoring. Children will have additional measures like arm circumference, grip strength, and skin carotenoid levels taken. Participants will undergo extensive assessments including height, weight, blood pressure, body composition scans, blood biochemistry, and metabolic rate tests. Physical activity and environmental temperature will be tracked continuously for 14 days. Data collected will provide precise insights into energy use and factors influencing metabolism in healthy Chinese populations. This information will help improve national dietary guidelines, support public health strategies to prevent obesity, and fill key knowledge gaps in energy expenditure research in China.