Childhood Precursors of Adult Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity and Diabetes- 16 year follow up of a Longitudinal Cohort [ 2006 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: E/Pr Lawrie Beilin (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Garth Kendall ,  Prof Beth Hands ,  Prof Lyle Palmer ,  Prof Trevor Mori
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Brief description There is a world wide 'epidemic' of obesity and diabetes with rates tripling in young adults in the last twenty years. This is likely to lead to an upsurge in heart attack and stroke and to reverse many of the gains seen in this area in Australia. This project aims to study the childhood and antenatal precursors for the risk of adult obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The study involves The Perth longitudinal childrens 'Raine' cohort, a unique group of just under 3000 children, first monitored in the womb before mid pregnancy and then repeatedly through to the age of 13 years. Every 2 to 3 years the study children have been carefully assessed for changes in fatness, blood pressure and more recently, nutrition, physical activity and fitness, blood cholesterol and tendency to diabetes. Families have also been carefully monitored for a range of social characteristics and mental health. We already have evidence that about a fifth of the children at age 8 are particularly at risk of obesity, diabetes and cholesterol problems and high blood pressure. We now plan to study the children after puberty at age 16, when they will be adopting a range of more adult behaviours which may profoundly affect these risks. This study will provide comprehensive information on the children from before birth to adolescence and help pinpoint ways in which growth in the womb, and subsequent childhood behaviour interacts with influences of family, social factors, environment and mental health to affect long term risk of obesity, premature diabetes or heart disease. The study will also provide a basis for future examination of the links between genes, environment and health.

Funding Amount $AUD 835,631.09

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant