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Research

Trends in sugar supply and consumption in Australia: is there an Australian Paradox?

High consumption of refined carbohydrate, in particular sugar, has been identified as a possible contributory factor in greater risk of excess weight gain.

Research

Diet in the early years of life influences cognitive outcomes at 10 years: A prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between diet during the first 3 years of life and cognitive outcomes at 10 years of age.

Research

The role of nutrition in children's neurocognitive development, from pregnancy through childhood

This review examines the current evidence for a possible connection between nutritional intake (including micronutrients and whole diet) and neurocognitive...

Research

Maternal work hours in early to middle childhood link to later adolescent diet quality

Previous studies on maternal work hours and child diet quality have reported conflicting findings possibly due to differences in study design, lack of a...

Research

Exploring Sugary Drink Consumption and Perceptions among Primary-School-Aged Children and Parents in Australia

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) account for a significant proportion of sugar in the diet of children and are directly associated with obesity in this group. While there have been many studies on adolescent SSB consumption, few studies have examined the predictors of SSB consumption in primary-school-aged children. The aim of this study was to understand the degree to which a child's consumption across a range of beverages is influenced by their own attitudes and by their parents' attitudes and parents' consumption behaviours.

Research

Altered dietary behaviour during pregnancy impacts systemic metabolic phenotypes

Evidence suggests consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) can positively impact both maternal and offspring health, potentially mediated by a beneficial effect on inflammatory pathways. We aimed to apply metabolic profiling of serum and urine samples to assess differences between women who were stratified into high and low alignment to a MD throughout pregnancy and investigate the relationship of the diet to inflammatory markers.  

Research

Metagenomic Characterisation of the Gut Microbiome and Effect of Complementary Feeding on Bifidobacterium spp. in Australian Infants

Complementary feeding induces dramatic ecological shifts in the infant gut microbiota toward more diverse compositions and functional metabolic capacities, with potential implications for immune and metabolic health. The aim of this study was to examine whether the age at which solid foods are introduced differentially affects the microbiota in predominantly breastfed infants compared with predominantly formula-fed infants. 

Research

A great way to bring up health behaviour topics at playgroup: a qualitative evaluation of the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program

The early years is a critical stage to establish optimal nutrition and movement behaviours. Community playgroups are a relaxed environment for parents with a focus on social connection and supporting parents in their role as 'First Teachers'. Playgroups are therefore an opportunistic setting to promote health behaviours in the early years.

Research

Modern and traditional diets for Noongar infants

Breast- & bottle-feeding patterns & the introduction of solid feeds & sugar containing drinks to the dietary intake of a cohort of urban Aboriginal infants