A Centre Of Research Excellence In Adolescent Health: Making Health Services Work For Adolescents In A Digital Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,496,295.00
Summary
Developmentally appropriate adolescent healthcare must be inter-disciplinary, with sound communication and acknowledging increasing autonomy; not easily accommodated within traditional paediatric and adult models of care. Our diverse team of experts will work with young people, parents, policy makers and service providers to create principles of cost-effective, equitable and accessible healthcare for adolescents, making best use of present-day health services and modern digital technologies.
Adolescent Rural Cohort Study Hormones, Health, Education, Environments And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,016,983.00
Summary
Adolescence is a time of major physical, emotional and social change, often characterised by risk taking and experimentation. Behaviours and decisions taken at this time of life will shape future health. This rural cohort study will for the first time will study the influence of pubertal hormones on behaviours, mental and physical health and general well being in adolescents.
Family And Environment In The Development Of Obesity And Precursors Of Diabetes And Heart Disease In Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$284,770.00
Summary
Obesity is a serious public health problem in Australia. The rate of obesity appears to be rising. Currently 19-23% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Adolescence is a critical period for the development of obesity in both males and females. It is a time when new dietary habits, likely to promote fatness, are adopted and physical activity declines. Understanding the factors that drive these behaviours is essential for effective prevention of obesity and related diseases. In 199 ....Obesity is a serious public health problem in Australia. The rate of obesity appears to be rising. Currently 19-23% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Adolescence is a critical period for the development of obesity in both males and females. It is a time when new dietary habits, likely to promote fatness, are adopted and physical activity declines. Understanding the factors that drive these behaviours is essential for effective prevention of obesity and related diseases. In 1996-7, our research group studied a group of over 400 children who were aged 7-8 years, were living in western Sydney and were born at Nepean Hospital. In our new study, we plan to re-study this group of children, now in early adolescence. This will allow us to assess the family and environmental factors influencing physical activity and eating behaviour at the beginning of adolescence. The aims of our study are to: Measure changes during early adolescence in eating and physical activity behaviours that are likely to increase obesity risk Measure anthropometric and biochemical markers for future risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in both adolescents and their parents Identify factors in the family environment that influence changes in food intake and physical activity in early adolescence The study will be done in two phases, 18 months apart. The measurements will be done in the study centre at Nepean Hospital in western Sydney. We will measure the height, weight and skinfold thickness of the adolescents and, if possible, their parents. We will also ask the young people and their parents to complete questionnaires about the family food and activity environment and their level of physical activity and food intake. In addition, the adolescents will wear a light-weight activity monitor for 3 days ( to measure the level of activity), blood pressure will be measured and cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked.Read moreRead less