The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has risen dramatically in the last 20 years. Strong evidence suggests that undetermined lifestyle factors are central to this modern phenomenon. We will develop a CRE in Paediatric FA and Food-related Immune Disorders, providing international leadership in public health initiatives to stem the tide of FA and related disorders. We are uniquely placed to provide evidence-based guidelines that will inform public health policy and clinical care of patients.
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.
The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, ....The Centre will enhance Australian clinical immunisation research and training, focussing upon clinical questions with translatable outcomes not easily addressed by industry. Optimal immunisation and interventions to maximise uptake of existing and new vaccines in high risk patient groups, such as children with cancer, immigrants, children with chronic diseases and adolescents will be studied. New vaccine trials, innovative use of existing vaccines, systematic collection of vaccine failure data, and targeted epidemiology and disease modelling vaccine preventable disease will also allow a broad program of research, enabling training and mentoring of young clinical nurse and physician researchers. Collaborations with existing national immunisation, infectious diseases and research institutions will allow maximal effectiveness of clinical studies.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Control Trial Of Medical Treatment Versus The Placement Of The Lap Band In Severely Obese Adolescents.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,905.00
Summary
There has been a substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese adolescents in our community. While prevention of obesity is the ultimate goal, effective stratagies for the management of obese adolescents must be sought. Unfortunately there are few studies that have focused on this problem in adolescents and success has been very limited. Modern obesity surgery is the only reliable method of achieving and sustaining major weight loss in severely obese (body mass index > 35 kg-m2) adul ....There has been a substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese adolescents in our community. While prevention of obesity is the ultimate goal, effective stratagies for the management of obese adolescents must be sought. Unfortunately there are few studies that have focused on this problem in adolescents and success has been very limited. Modern obesity surgery is the only reliable method of achieving and sustaining major weight loss in severely obese (body mass index > 35 kg-m2) adults and there are now several small studies that demonstrate its effectiveness in adolescents. Modern obesity surgery involving the keyhole placement of an adjustable band around the very upper part of the stomach has proven to be safe and effective and requires one 24 hr stay in hospital. In this collaborative study, involving the Monash University Centre for Obesity Research and Education and the Royal Children's Hospital, we propose to formally test, for the first time, the effectiveness of a weight loss program that includes adjustable band surgery, and compare this with a comprehensive best care behavioral program, over a period of 2-years in severely obese adolescents. We estimate that suitable subjects will come from the top 1% for body mass index in our community. After thorough assessment 50 suitable candidates with ages ranging from 14 to 18 years will be randomly allocated to one of the two treatment programs. The intensity of each program will be similar. A broad range of measues including: weight, health status, physical disability, psychological status, body image and quality of life, will be performed before and at completion of the 2-year programs. In addition we will compare the complications, compliance and cost of the two programs. This study will help us assess and compare the effectiveness of the 2 programs and provide vital information regarding the role of modern keyhole obesity surgery for the management of severely obese adolescents.Read moreRead less
RCT Of The Intragastric Balloon And Lifestyle Intervention Versus Lifestyle Intervention Alone In Obese Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,976.00
Summary
For the first time in adolescents, Perth researchers will trial placement of a fluid-filled silicone balloon in the stomach. It will be used in conjunction with a lifestyle intervention, and so is expected to increase weight loss. The balloons are safe, effective at adult weight loss and an alternative to invasive surgery. Adolscent obesity rates are rising and treatment options are limited. The non-surgical balloon may be the alternative for adolescents who would previously had to have surgery.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101921
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,000.00
Summary
Effects of reducing sitting on toddlers’ executive functions: Cluster RCT. The levels of sedentary behaviour are now alarmingly high in toddlers, yet little is known about the effect of this behaviour on cognitive development and executive functions during early childhood. This 15 month cluster randomised controlled trial will examine the effects of reduced sitting time on cognitive development and executive functions in Australian toddlers from low socio-economic families. This project aims to ....Effects of reducing sitting on toddlers’ executive functions: Cluster RCT. The levels of sedentary behaviour are now alarmingly high in toddlers, yet little is known about the effect of this behaviour on cognitive development and executive functions during early childhood. This 15 month cluster randomised controlled trial will examine the effects of reduced sitting time on cognitive development and executive functions in Australian toddlers from low socio-economic families. This project aims to develop and implement evidence-based strategies and policies designed to optimise developmental and health outcomes in young children, specifically in those from a low socio-economic status, thus giving young children the best start in life.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,459.00
Summary
Do physical activity and electronic screen behaviours influence cognitive and psychosocial development in preschool children? Levels of physical inactivity and screen-based entertainment are alarmingly high among preschool children, yet little is known about the independent effects of these behaviours on cognitive and psychosocial development during early childhood. This project will investigate the associations between physical activity and screen-based entertainment and cognitive and psychosoc ....Do physical activity and electronic screen behaviours influence cognitive and psychosocial development in preschool children? Levels of physical inactivity and screen-based entertainment are alarmingly high among preschool children, yet little is known about the independent effects of these behaviours on cognitive and psychosocial development during early childhood. This project will investigate the associations between physical activity and screen-based entertainment and cognitive and psychosocial development in preschool children. The findings will identify how much and which types of these behaviours influence developmental outcomes in young children. This knowledge will benefit parents, educators, health professionals and governments to develop and implement evidence-based strategies and policies to give young children the best start in life.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial and economic impacts of rare diseases on Australian children, families and health professionals. Rare childhood diseases have enormous impacts on children and families; health services, and health professionals. This project will enable Australia to lead the international research effort by using a coordinated approach to study the impacts of rare diseases in order to improve psychosocial, health and economic outcomes for children and families.
Tracking blood and blood products for a healthy start to life. This project will aim to coalesce multiple data sources to track blood and blood products from supply to recipient and improve safe and appropriate blood product transfusions for mothers and newborns. Tracking blood will assist in early identification of adverse outcomes. Identification of at-risk women and babies will allow early prevention and treatment.