The research center in Nutrition at the University of Navarra is participating in a study to identify risk factors and investigate possible associations between lifestyles and the probability of developing childhood obesity and its comorbidities. For that reason, the organizers are looking for volunteer families with children between 3 and 6 years of age and any physical condition, from Pamplona and surrounding areas, who wish to participate.

"The project CORALS is an initiative of the high school Danone and the research center Biomédica at network, in its area Thematic Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN). It is, therefore, a national and multicenter study, coordinated by Mercedes Gil (University of Cordoba) and Nancy Babio (Rovira i Virgili University)," explains Santiago Navas, who leads the research in Pamplona together with Alfredo Martínez .

During the study, there will be two annual visits with the children's parents/guardians at the research center facilities in Nutrition, and a single visit with the children's volunteers at sports center of the University.

Participants are expected to be followed up for 10 years, during which different tests will be performed free of charge. At baseline visits and at 2, 5 and 10 years after starting the study, urine and stool samples will be collected, as well as a blood draw.

"This is the first study at the national level in which we are starting to follow a population of 3 to 6 year olds on an annual basis. Our main goal is to know the risk factors for obesity development in the future, and for this we need data from this early age through adolescence," adds Navas.

Those interested in being part of the study can fill in a form from registration through link http://bit.ly/coralsUNAV, send an email to bdecuevilla@unav.es or call 646 60 56 56 78.