An Experimental Trial Of A Supplementary Food Program In A Regional Aboriginal Health Service In New South Wales.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,857.00
Summary
The aims of this research project are to investigate the health effects, sustainability and acceptability of a supplementary food program in an Indigenous community in regional New South Wales. The research project will examine the health effects of a subsidised box of fruit and vegetables to Aboriginal families whose children have experienced frequent health problems.
Analysis Of Metabolic Profiles In Young Adults From The The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study By Metabolomics: Biomarkers For Metabolic Consequences Of Early Programming By Infant Feeding Type
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,681.00
Summary
Increasing evidence from European and other investigators around the world demonstrates that early nutrition has long-lasting programming effects for later health and disease risk. The most convincing evidence is for obesity and its associated disorders, that include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and certain cancers. The focus of this project is on the increasing public health importance and intergenerational nature of these problems.
The Effect Of Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy On Child Cognitive Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,562.00
Summary
During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later dev ....During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later development is in fetal life (during pregnancy). We have the opportunity to test whether iron nutrition in fetal life influences childhood development by assessing the cognitive abilities of children who were in our earlier study of iron supplementation in pregnancy. Our aim is to assess the children at 4 years to determine if iron nutrition in pregnancy predicts development. This may change the dietary advice we give pregnant women to ensure they give their babies the best start in life.Read moreRead less
So Like Your Mum! Is The Health Of Mothers In Far North Queensland Reflected In The Nutrition And Growth Of Their Children In Early Life?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,631.00
Summary
The health, nutrition and growth of a baby reflect the health and nutrition status of its mother. We will link routine health service information for Indigenous mothers with information on the growth, haemoglobin and health of their young children to identify key factors in a mother’s pregnancy and before, influencing the future health and development of their babies. This study will shape interventions to improve the health of mothers, and thus improve the health of their children through life.
Positive Feeding Practices And Food Preferences In Very Early Childhood - A Primary Care Obesity Prevention Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,459,238.00
Summary
The more than 1:5 and rapidly increasing number of overweight Australian children are at a substantially increased risk of becoming fat adults resulting in increased illness, mortality, health care burden and costs. Adult eating habits are influenced and formed by food preferences and capacity to self-regulate in response to behaviours developed in childhood. Thus parent feeding practices in very early childhood are critical. This study aims to show that a program of parent education and peer su ....The more than 1:5 and rapidly increasing number of overweight Australian children are at a substantially increased risk of becoming fat adults resulting in increased illness, mortality, health care burden and costs. Adult eating habits are influenced and formed by food preferences and capacity to self-regulate in response to behaviours developed in childhood. Thus parent feeding practices in very early childhood are critical. This study aims to show that a program of parent education and peer support to initiate and maintain positive feeding practices in very young children (6-10 months) will (1) promote healthy eating behaviours and (2) prevent excess weight gain and overweight in children. A successsful intervention will provide evidence for policies and programs that can be implemented within a large primary care service to equip and support mothers-carers in developing the confidence and skills to introduce positive feeding practices in very early childhood. This is consistent with current community interest in early childhood as the foundation for health and well-being.Read moreRead less
Learning Clubs To Improve Women’s Health And Infant’s Health And Development In Vietnam: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Low-cost, Evidence-informed, Structured Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,372,748.00
Summary
Poor physical and mental health among women in resource-constrained settings and the flow-on consequences for their infants are international priorities. No intervention to improve early childhood development in these settings has addressed more than two (of eight) major risk factors. Our aim is to establish in a cluster RCT in rural Vietnam the impact of a comprehensive, integrated, low-cost, accessible, universal program addressing all eight risks, for women’s health and infant development.
Causal Pathways From Maternal Obesity To Pregnancy, Perinatal & Childhood Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$775,703.00
Summary
Overweight and obesity affects more than 50% of women entering pregnancy. There are well-documented risks of poor health outcomes associated with obesity during pregnancy. We will evaluate whether an antenatal dietary and lifestyle intervention among pregnant women who are overweight or obese, acts via metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory pathways, in the contribution of maternal obesity to adverse pregnancy, perinatal and early childhood health outcomes.