Metabolic Complications Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea During Early Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,375.00
Summary
Adults with OSA are known to have increased risk for heart disease. We will study children with OSA, and an animal model of the disease during early development, to help clarify how this disease of adulthood actually has its origins in childhood. We have already shown that obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more prone to diabetes (metabolic problems) than those without OSA. More recently, we found that this is also true for children who are not overweight. This early diabetes ....Adults with OSA are known to have increased risk for heart disease. We will study children with OSA, and an animal model of the disease during early development, to help clarify how this disease of adulthood actually has its origins in childhood. We have already shown that obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more prone to diabetes (metabolic problems) than those without OSA. More recently, we found that this is also true for children who are not overweight. This early diabetes is known to be to show a future risk for heart disease. This study will examine why OSA in children is linked to metabolic problems. First, we will continue our study in children who are not overweight. We need to study more children to be sure that OSA is truly linked to metabolic problems - whether or not a child is overweight, because this means that children with OSA are at risk for metabolic and future cardiac problems, whether they are overweight or not. Since weight does not usually change after treatment of OSA, we will also study children again, after they have been treated for OSA. We expect to show that treatment of OSA resolves the metabolic problems. Since hypoxia (low oxygen) occurs in OSA we believe that this is the fundamental cause of the metabolic problems. To test whether this is true, we will look for metabolic problems in piglets exposed to similar, low levels of oxygen as those seen in children with OSA, comparing them to piglets that have not been so exposed. We believe that the tendency to develop OSA and diabetes is inherited. To test this, we will study the genes of a very large family whose members have OSA and-or diabetes, and try to find which genes are associated with OSA and with diabetes. This will help determine if the two genes are linked in some way.Read moreRead less
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
Metformin In Gestational Diabetes: Follow-up Of Mothers And Offspring: Body Composition, Insulin Resistance, Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,142.00
Summary
Children born to women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of later obesity and diabetes. This study will help to assess if giving such women during their pregnancy the cheap oral diabetes drug metformin rather than insulin injections can safely reduce this risk, measuring growth, fatness and blood glucose-insulin in the children at 2 and 5 years of age, as well as assessing the mothers. If so, such treatment might help to reduce the worldwide burden of disease related to obesity.
Compared with normal-weight children, obese youth have a higher chance of developing diseases like Type 2 diabetes. With 1 in 4 Australian children now being overweight or obese, effective treatment programs need to be developed alongside those aimed at prevention. This program of research aims to identify which overweight/obese children are most likely to develop diabetes, with a particular focus on how infant nutrition regulates important growth factors to alter long-term diabetes risk.
Early Origins Study Of Cystic Fibrosis-related Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,188.00
Summary
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition that causes recurrent lung infections and early death. Some patients also develop diabetes which causes a more rapid decline. Many young children with CF have “pre-diabetes” but guidelines do not recommend screening high glucose in this group. In order to intervene early, this study aims to determine if “pre-diabetes” in very young children with Cystic Fibrosis causes poorer growth, lung function or an increase in bacterial infections to.
Limiting Tuberculosis Transmission And Improving The Care Of Affected Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,419.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the biggest infectious disease killer on the planet. Drug-resistant TB poses a particular challenge in the Asia-Pacific region. My research will assist Australia to progress towards domestic TB elimination. It will improve the management of “difficult to treat” cases and help to safeguard the public against ongoing TB transmission. Work in neighbouring countries will help to contain the spread of drug-resistant TB and protect vulnerable young children.
Childhood Diabetes: Translating Evidence Into Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,014.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. The burden of disease on the individual, their family and the community is enormous. The goal of this fellowship is to utilise evidence-based research to inform health policy and enhance the care of young people with diabetes. The proposal addresses patterns of disease in Australia, environmental triggers for diabetes, and care of the young person with diabetes through implementation of national evidence based clinical care ....Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. The burden of disease on the individual, their family and the community is enormous. The goal of this fellowship is to utilise evidence-based research to inform health policy and enhance the care of young people with diabetes. The proposal addresses patterns of disease in Australia, environmental triggers for diabetes, and care of the young person with diabetes through implementation of national evidence based clinical care guidelines for type 1 diabetes.Read moreRead less