Growth and Nutrition
Welcome to the Growth and Nutrition research theme, headed by Professor
Peter Davies
GUT MICROBIOTA, DIET PATTERNS AND BODY COMPOSITION IN
PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Habitual diet is an important modifiable factor which influences
growth, health and disease. Diet is an important determinant of gut
microbiota composition and it is proposed that the modulation in
the activity and composition of the gut microbiota is one of the
mechanisms by which diet impacts health. BMI has been shown to be
associated with gut microbiota composition and obese 7 years olds
have been shown to have had significantly different faecal
microbiota in infancy.
This study aims to correlate the association and interaction
between: habitual diet, gut microbiota composition and activity,
and body composition in 1 to 5 years old children. Should a link be
found, the next step would be to explore interventions which
modulate gut microbiota to improve health.
Research Team:
Ms Paula Brown
Prof Peter SW Davies
Bone strength parameters in Cystic Fibrosis
Low bone mineral density (BMD) remains a frequent observation in
individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). A suboptimal bone mineral
accrual in adolescents with CF is recognised, that potentially
leads to low levels of bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with
CF. However, the evidence is unclear because of the limited
understanding of the individual and combined effects of the CF
disease and treatment on bone health, and, technical limitations of
standard densitometry techniques (DXA) to assess bone health in
this population. The main aim of this cross sectional study is to
investigate bone strength parameters using state of the art
densitometry (pQCT) to present a more comprehensive assessment of
the bone health of young individuals with CF compared to healthy
controls.
Research Team:
Ms Denise Brookes - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dr Rebecca Hill - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dr Craig Munns - The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW
Ms Julie Briody- The Children's Hospital at Westmead,
NSW
Optimising micronutrient status in children with Cerebral
Palsy
The natural healing processes of the body are required to be
functioning optimally, in trauma or surgery, in order to prevent
delays, impediments or complications which result in poor outcomes
and prolonged hospitalization. The prolonged disease, stress and
trauma associated with surgery, lead to a depletion of nutritional
stores in the body, which is accelerated by a hypermetabolic
state.
A study is currently being conducted looking at vitamin and
mineral status in children with cerebral palsy and comparing this
to typically developing children aged 4-12 years. Three baseline
measures 6 weeks apart are being collected from all groups, with
the third measure being at the time of surgery in the surgical
group. These children will undergo a further 2 measures
post-surgery, also 6 weeks apart, in order to compare this data
with not only there own pre-measure data, but also with all of the
other children's baseline measures. Due to the potential presence
of an acute phase response, a variety of functional and other novel
biochemical markers are being utilised as measures of each
individual vitamin or mineral.
Collaborations have also been formed with the Oxidative Stress
Laboratory which will perform antioxidant, inflammation and
oxidative stress measures, as well as with the Trace Element
Laboratory which will be analysing 3-day food composites for trace
element, mineral and protein content.
This study will provide valuable information relating to a wide
range of nutritional parameters, not normally accessible to
families. The necessity of adequate vitamin and mineral status for
optimum physiological function and the prevention of disease cannot
be overstated and is often underestimated. All results will be made
available to clinicians and families at the conclusion of the
study, should they desire.
Research Team:
Ms Niikee Schoendorfer - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
A/Prof Roslyn Boyd - Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research,
The University of Queensland
A/Prof Luis Vitetta - Centre for Integrative Clinical and
Molecular MedicineThe University of Queensland
The impact of active-input electronic games on children's motor
skill development, energy expenditure and physical activity
This research aims to determine if new active electronic game
interfaces can enhance children's gross motor development and
increase their energy expenditure and physical activity. A
randomised and controlled trial will examine the impact of the
sedentary and active electronic games in the children's
homes. We expect that active-input games will result in
better gross motor skills and more overall energy expenditure and
physical activity. Children with poor movement coordination
are expected to show the biggest gains as they can practise
movements in a fun, private place.
Research team:
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Leon Straker - Curtin University of Technology, WA
Genetic and environmental determinants related to recurrent,
low grade disease in Aboriginal Children
This project seeks to identify genetic and environmental risk
factors associated with the incidence of a variety of recurrent,
low grade disease entities in Aboriginal children and to
subsequently suggest treatment and control strategies based on
these findings.
BACKGROUND
From the many government reports that have been commissioned there
appears to be a particular prevalence of recurrent low grade
disease in Aboriginal children. These include upper respiratory
tract infections, abnormalities of growth, skin conditions, dental
disease, and bowel disorders.
The aim this project is to investigate such recurrent diseases with
a view to identifying common environmental, biochemical,
nutritional, genetic or interaction effects that predispose to all
or a significant proportion of these conditions. Many recurrent
conditions may be related to underlying microbial growth, common
nutritional deficiencies, dietary intolerance, a compromised immune
system, pathogenic load, or genetic predisposition.
Since 2007, there has been a concerted effort in Australia to
"Close the Gap". While "the gap" specifically relates to the
difference in life expectancy, and this is to a large extent a
consequence of chronic diseases of adulthood and perinatal
conditions, "the gap" also might include the difference in ability
to reach potential. Recurrent disease in aboriginal children
is a major factor in falling behind at school as well as directly
affecting attainment of developmental milestones.
AIM
To identify aboriginal children under the age of 14 with recurrent
low grade disease, to identify factors predisposing to these
diseases, and to devise actions to prevent or limit the occurrence
of recurrent diseases in this population.
DESIGN
We expect at least one hundred Aboriginal children under the age of
14 years will be identified, through clinical records from our
sampling area in South East Queensland, as presenting with common
recurrent childhood diseases. Demographic and clinical data
from this group and that from an age matched cohort not diagnosed
with recurrent disease will be analysed at Children's Nutrition
Research Centre (CNRC). Depending on the outcomes of the
initial analyses more specific survey questions relating to
nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle, will be applied to a subset of
the primary groups. Similarly, a set of potentially important
clinical tests will be performed and samples such as DNA taken
RESULTS & CONCLUSION
If an underlying cause for these common recurrent conditions can be
identified, an effective strategy can be implemented to decrease
their prevalence. This will lead to not only better general
health but also greater self esteem, improved learning, and fewer
chronic disease problems in adulthood.
Research Team:
Ms Nita Sharp - PhD Candidate, Children's Nutrition Research
Centre, The University of Queensland
Dr Ian Hughes - Mater Medical Research Institute and Children's
Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Prof. Cindy Shannon - The University of Queensland Centre for
Indigenous Health.
Dr Gary Deed - President of the Australasian College of Nutritional
and Environmental Medicine.
Prof. Lesley Barclay - The Sydney Medical School, University of
Sydney
Ms Niikee Schoendorfer - PhD Candidate, Children's Nutrition
Research Centre, The University of Queensland
An investigation of the Relationship between Body Composition,
Adipokines and Asthma in Children and Adolescents: Asthma Fit
Study
In recent years, we have been witnessed an increase in the
incidence of childhood obesity, both in Australia and worldwide.
This increase was in pararell with an increase in the number of
children with asthma. Therefore, it has raised the question: Are
these two common conditions related?
As evidenced by numerous studies on large populations, yes;
there is an association between obesity and asthma in children and
obesity is a risk factor for asthma. However the linking
mechanism is not clear yet.
Recently, the role played by fat tissue in the development of heart
disease, insulin resistance and diabetes has been well understood.
Fat tissue is no longer considered only a storage organ. It is an
active tissue that produces hormones and cytokines. Products of
adipose tissue, known as adipokines, including leptin, resistin,
TNF-α, PAI-1 and IL-6, have been found to induce an inflammatory
state in the overweight and obese, both systemically and
regionally.
The aim of this study is therefore to examine the role of
adipokines and insulin resistance in children with persistent
asthma, compared with healthy subjects.
Understanding the linking mechanism between obesity, insulin
resistance and asthma may significantly enhance current treatment
options in the management of asthma, and also possibly lead to the
development of new therapies.
Research team:
Dr Mandana Arshi - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dr John Cardinal - Department of Chemical Pathology, Endocrinology
Section, Queensland Health Pathology Services, Royal Brisbane
Hospital
Dr Bahram Adeli Kodehi - Children's Nutrition Research
Centre, The University of Queensland
A/Prof Claire Wainwright, RCH Foundation Respiratory Specialist,
Head of CF Services, Queensland Children's Respiratory Centre,
Royal Children's Hospital, Queensland
Dr Rebecca J Hill - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dietary Interventions in Obese Young People - The 'Eat Smart'
Study
Dietary change is one of the cornerstones of obesity treatment
yet there is a lack of good evidence for optimal dietary approaches
particularly in children and young people.
Eat Smart is a novel research study in which 2 dietary
approaches to treat childhood obesity are being tested. The study
is a collaboration between Professor Jenny Batch, Consultant
Endocrinologist at the Royal Children's Hospital and the Children's
Nutrition Research Centre at The University of Queensland, and
commenced in January 2007. Families initially undertake a short
course in life skills called FRIENDS for Life, which focuses on
emotional resilience building and self esteem. Families are then
randomly allocated to one of three groups:
A reduced carbohydrate eating plan
A structured low fat meal plan system
A wait listed control group
For those families allocated to one of the dietary groups, this
will include 6 months of support with 10 appointments at the Royal
Children's Hospital over that time. For families allocated to the
control group, this will involve a 12 week monitoring (waiting)
period after which they may undertake the dietary program of their
choice. Eat Smart is supported by an experienced weight management
dietitians and includes measures of energy expenditure, body
composition and biochemical markers of inflammation.
For more information on this research please contact Ms Kim
Cojean on 3365 5476 or k.cojean@uq.edu.au
Research Team
Prof Helen Truby - Monash University. Melbourne
Prof Jennifer Batch - Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane
Ms Kimberley Cojean - The Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dr Diane Jensen - The Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Ms Sarah Elliott- The Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Validation of reduced dose isotopes in the measurement of total
energy expenditure using doubly labelled water
Information on energy expenditure is useful in many clinical and
research settings. In some disease states, children may have
altered energy requirements and reliable measures of energy
expenditure enable better nutritional management of these patients.
In a research setting, measurements of energy expenditure can
provide useful data on the energy used in physical activity of
children, an area of increasing public health concern. This
research aims to validate the use of a reduced isotope dose of
doubly labelled water in children, and provide an accurate, cost
effective way of measuring total energy expenditure.
If using a reduced isotope dose in the DLW technique proves to be
reliable and valid it would mean that energy expenditure could be
measured in a wider range of clinical and research settings. This
would have many potential applications, for example: children with
different clinical conditions may require different dietary
treatments based on their energy requirements. Treatment strategies
could be improved if an accurate and cost effect way of measuring
energy expenditure is more widely available. It would also enable
dietitians to determine energy requirements, and validate reported
food intakes more precisely. It would generate accurate control
(normative) data, for use in future comparison studies utilising
the doubly labelled water technique in a specific clinical
population.
Research Team:
Ms Sarah Elliott - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Prof Helen Truby - Monash University, Melbourne
Studies of Energy Metabolism in children with Prader-Willi
Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) affects between 1 in 15,000 and 1 in
20,000 live births, and can lead to morbid obesity. This
study will evaluate aspects of energy metabolism and energy balance
in children with this genetic syndrome. The influence of
growth hormone therapy will also be evaluated.
Research Team:
Prof Peter SW Davies - Children's Nutrition Research Centre, The
University of Queensland
Dr Ohn Nyunt - Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Mark Harris - Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane
Prof Andrew Cottrell - Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane
The "EAT SMART FOR SUCCESS" Study
This study is designed as a follow-on study to the Eat Smart
Study. We aim to show that, medical therapy using metformin,
in addition to lifestyle modification; will enhance the
success weight loss maintenance in overweight/obese
adolescents. This trial is a randomised controlled trial of
metformin vs placebo for 6 months after completion of the 'Eat
Smart' program. During this study, we will investigate
appetite and appetite related hormones in young people: both
within and above the healthy weight range. We will also
investigate the effect of metformin on appetite in overweight/obese
adolescents.
For further information, please contact Dr Diane Jensen on 0412
027 454 or d.jensen1@uq.edu.au.
Research Team
Dr Diane Jensen - PhD student, Children's Nutrition Research Centre
(CNRC), School of Medicine, The University of Queensland,
Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute (QCMRI), Royal
Children's Hospital, Brisbane
Prof Jennifer Batch - QCMRI, Royal Children's Hospital,
Brisbane
Prof Helen Truby - Monash University, Melbourne
A/Prof Neil King - Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
(IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
Ms Natalie Webster - CNRC, Royal Children's Hospital,
Brisbane
Dr John Cardinal - Queensland Health Pathology Services (QHPS),
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane.
