Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%. In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in most developed societies over past decades and obesity prevention is now firmly on the agendas of most governments. Given the serious implications of childhood obesity for the current and future health of many young people coupled with the acceptance of physical activity as a key feature in its prevention, it is perhaps not surpsising that the role of schools and physical education (PE) in promoting health and tackling obesity has been increasingly recognized. This is evidenced by various policies, strategies and responses from governments which have highlighted schools to be instrumental in addressing both healths broadly, and obesity specifically. However, concerns have been expressed that the discourse surrounding obesity and some of the policies and practices being implemented to tackle the issue in schools and PE may be overly narrow, simplistic and misguided, and that they could even be harmful to young people’s health. Despite this, very little is known about school and PE policies and practices in this regard and of how teachers, students and others experience and are influenced by these. It is clearly imperative that policies and practices avoid ‘doing harm’ and that schools and PE adopt a research-informed and pedagogically sound approach to the issue. This project will therefore investigate and aim to establish the above with a view to informing government, school and PE policy and practice in this area.