My research has focused on the epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.   Geographical, social and ethnic differences in disease and the accurate assessment of disease and risk factor burdens have been among my preoccupations.    I have led a series of epidemiological studies in children and adolescents studying early markers and determinants of cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes and obesity risks.  I have also been closely associated with the British Regional Heart Study, a population-based study of middle-aged and older men in 24 towns across Great Britain.   Recently my research has focused on ways to assess body fatness accurately in children of different ethnic backgrounds and on accurately quantifying body fatness burdens in children of different ethnic origins.   I teach elements of population health (epidemiology and public health) on the MBBS4 and MBBS5 courses.