Largest ever study on household food on island of Ireland launched
Researchers have launched the largest study of its kind ever carried out on the island of Ireland focused on household food and health.
The study is being carried out by University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), Ulster University, and Queen's University Belfast.
The research will involve around 1,500 households, totalling around 5,000 participants, across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The initiative is being conducted as part of the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, a collaborative research partnership across Ireland and the UK.
Food
The study seeks to capture household eating patterns and food habits against the backdrop of rising food costs and busy lifestyles.
Researchers will compare how different policies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, such as healthy eating guidance and school meal provision, affect dietary habits.
Participants will complete online questionnaires about their household food habits over two to three weeks.
There will also be entirely voluntary options for participants, including a finger-prick blood test or cheek swab.
All data will be confidential and anonymised, and participants may withdraw from the study at any time and take their information with them.
Researchers said the findings from the study can guide policymakers, public health authorities, retailers, farmers, food producers, and organisations providing meals outside the home to better support households in accessing healthier, more sustainable diets.
Study
Participants will receive personalised reports on their household’s nutrition and be invited to webinars sharing insights from the study.
Households can also take part in follow-up studies over the coming years.
Aifric O’Sullivan, associate professor at UCD said the study is unique because it focuses on households rather than individuals.
"By examining how household environments influence food choices and eating habits, we can better understand the opportunities and challenges of adopting healthier and more sustainable diets," she said.
Dr Claire McEvoy, Queen’s University Belfast added:
"Comparing households across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland provides a unique opportunity to understand how different food environments shape diet, nutrition and health.
"These real-world insights are essential for informing future public health strategies across the island."
