Research carried out by a former Sefton Council trainee Public Health Consultant has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Public Health.

Childhood stunting

Dr Tim Martin, who was with Sefton Council’s Public Health team from 2023 to 2025, undertook the research into childhood stunting in Sefton associated with poor health outcomes and ongoing economic inequalities.

Dr Martin’s study looked at health data from almost 47,000 children aged 4–5 and 10–11 years, collected between 2013 and 2023. It found that children living in the most deprived areas in Sefton are more likely to have stunted growth. This means they are shorter than expected for their age.

Gap

The study also explored the possible reasons for this gap using population data about factors such as low birth weight and being born early. Lower rates of breastfeeding, food insecurity and poorer access to healthcare were also considered.

In older children, these factors appeared to explain much of the link between deprivation and stunted growth, although the results cannot be taken as absolute proof.

Support could help reduce inequalities

Dr Martin’s study helps point the way towards issues where better or different support for families could help reduce inequalities in childhood development, including stunting. More research needs to be done to understand child stunting in the UK and how to ensure children from all backgrounds grow up in good health.

The Journal of Public Health invites submission of papers on any aspect of public health research and practice from around the world. This is to promote the highest standards of public health practice internationally through the communication of current, best scientific evidence.

Important new piece of research

Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Although we hear a lot about inequalities caused by obesity, before Tim’s study little attention has been paid to the impact growing up in a poor community can have on children’s height, which makes this an important new piece of research.

“It also confirms the importance of our anti-poverty work, which includes promoting the Healthy Start scheme for pregnant mums and young children and the support we provided to ensure children have access to food meals during the school holidays.”

Important to address child poverty

Tim said: "This research shows how child poverty impacts on childhood growth in Sefton, and highlights why it is important to address child poverty and mitigate its impacts."

Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Rory McGill said: “Tim can be proud that he has carried out this important study and that it has been accepted by the Journal of Public Health.

“I am very glad that Sefton Council’s Public Health Team was able to support Tim in the research and would like to thank everyone involved.”

Family Life Toolkit

In June, Sefton Council launched an online Family Life Toolkit to make it easier for families to find trusted advice, guidance and support.

Sefton’s Family Life Toolkit, which is at www.seftonfamilylife.com, brings together a wide range of information for parents, carers, children and young people, helping them find the right help at the right time.

You can find Tim's research paper here on the Journal of Public Health website.