Improving School Transition By Improving Child Sleep: A Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,827.00
Summary
A successful transition to school sets a child on a path for life. A poor transition can lead to early drop out, poor peer relationships and poor emotional skills. In 2008/09, we found that a brief sleep intervention for children improved key determinants of a successful transition including social-emotional functioning and parent mental health. We now plan to see if the same intervention, delivered by school nurses, can have a similar effect.
Scheduling Frequent Opportunities For Outdoor Play – A Simple Approach To Increase Physical Activity In Childcare
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,955.00
Summary
Australian preschool aged children are not sufficiently active, increasing their risk of a variety of health conditions. When at childcare, previous research has found that children are particularly activity during the first 10-15 minutes of outdoor play. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of changing the scheduling of periods of outdoor play within preschools.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Sleep Intervention To Improve Child Behaviour, Quality Of Life And Learning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,760.00
Summary
Nearly 20% of Australian parents report a problem with their preschool child's sleep. Child sleep problems are associated with an increased risk of child behaviour problems, poorer quality of life, and likelihood of a child being diagnosed with ADHD. We want to know if an education program for parents of prep children can reduce child sleep problems. It may represent a feasible way of reducing behaviour problems, improving quality of life and academic performance in these crucial years.
Assessing Sustainability Of Positive Outcomes In A Successful Child Obesity Prevention Intervention: Follow-up Of The Melbourne InFANT Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,700.00
Summary
Early intervention may be the most sustainable and effective means of preventing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours (obesity preventive behaviours) including diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. This project aims to assess whether differences observed between intervention and control groups at the conclusion of a successful obesity prevention program, the Melbourne InFANT Program, (child aged 18-months) are maintained across the important early childhood year ....Early intervention may be the most sustainable and effective means of preventing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours (obesity preventive behaviours) including diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. This project aims to assess whether differences observed between intervention and control groups at the conclusion of a successful obesity prevention program, the Melbourne InFANT Program, (child aged 18-months) are maintained across the important early childhood years, to 3.5 and 5 years of age.Read moreRead less
Universal Surveillance And Early Identification Of Developmental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$704,928.00
Summary
Does existing developmental surveillance of children reach those who need it and accurately identify those wtih problems that could benefit from early intervention? Given that developmental problems affect 10 to 15% of children and many are receiving services too late for early intervention, we need answers to these questions. This study will examine whether developmental surveillance helps individual children and improves public health.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Code Game Alarm Compared With A Standard Alarm For Treating Nocturnal Enuresis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,740.00
Summary
Bedwetting affects 10% of school-aged children. It has psychosocial and cognitive effects on sufferers which is reversible with appropriate treatment. First line treatment for bedwetting is alarm therapy. 1-3 fail alarm treatment becaues of not waking to alarm noise. A novel alarm which enhances wakening has been developed and predicts to be 80-95% effective. This study compares the novel alarm to a standard alarm for treating bedwetting.This simple devise can be used in the home setting.
Effect Of A Weight Management Program For Overweight And Obese Children: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Children who are obese have a higher risk of numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and joint problems. They also experience reduced self-esteem and discrimination as well as an increased risk of premature death or poor health due to heart disease and Type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Approximately 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese. This prevalence has doubled since the 1980's and is still increasing. Child obesity is a major public health problem ....Children who are obese have a higher risk of numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and joint problems. They also experience reduced self-esteem and discrimination as well as an increased risk of premature death or poor health due to heart disease and Type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Approximately 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese. This prevalence has doubled since the 1980's and is still increasing. Child obesity is a major public health problem and innovative approaches to solving this problem are urgently needed. A range of factors has been postulated as contributing to the global childhood obesity epidemic, including environmental, psychosocial, physical, nutrition, metabolic and lifestyle factors. However, the major determinants involve a shift away from energy balance through reduced energy expenditure or physical activity and increased energy intake. Conventional weight-management strategies have incorporated restricting energy intake or diet, increasing energy expenditure or physical activity, decreasing sedentary activities, parental involvement, and behaviour modification. However, these strategies have only shown moderate success among children in the medium to long term and very few can be translated into community settings. The purpose of this study, and its original contribution to research, is to determine the impact of a physical activity skill development and parent-centred family weight management program on the weight, cardiovascular health, physical activity, dietary intake, and sedentary behaviours of overweight and obese children.Read moreRead less
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of An Innovative Intervention To Increase Childrens Physical Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,530.00
Summary
Rates of childhood obesity are increasing and outdoor free play is decreasing. Research suggests that these patterns are inter-related, and that adults perceive outdoor free play to be risky for children. In this study we will reprioritise play, reframe teachers' perceptions of risk and modify the playground environment to increase children's physical activity. We will assess the effectiveness of this simple, cost-effective intervention in a randomised controlled trial.
Improving Outcomes Of Preschool Language Delay In The Community: Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$927,327.00
Summary
7-15% of preschool children have language delay, so are vulnerable to poor lifelong academic, social and economic outcomes. Small trials suggest that intervention helps. This randomized trial aims to find out the population costs and benefits of optimized intervention for 4 year olds following systematic identification of language delay. Because we have studied the 1500 participants since infancy, the trial could also shed light on why some children respond better than others to treatment.