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ORIGINS is fortunate to have a small passionate and dedicated group of longstanding volunteers.
News & Events
ORIGINS celebrates it’s 10,000th baby, reaching key recruitment milestoneAustralia’s biggest longitudinal study following the health and wellbeing of children from their conception through to childhood, has welcomed its 10,000th and final participant.
News & Events
Tips for discussing coronavirus with your kidsThe rapidly developing coronavirus crisis is affecting our daily lives in unprecedented ways and brings with it uncertainty and fear.
Research
Influence of maternal and infant technology use and other family factors on infant developmentSteve Desiree Zubrick Silva FASSA, FAAMHS, MSc AM PhD MBBS, FRACP, MPH, PhD Honorary Emeritus Research Fellow Co-Director, ORIGINS 08 6319 1409
Research
Urinary Ferritin as a Noninvasive Means of Assessing Iron Status in Young ChildrenIron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency affecting young children. Serum ferritin concentration is the preferred biomarker for measuring iron status because it reflects iron stores; however, blood collection can be distressing for young children and can be logistically difficult. A noninvasive means to measure iron status would be attractive to either diagnose or screen for ID in young children.
Research
Metagenomic Characterisation of the Gut Microbiome and Effect of Complementary Feeding on Bifidobacterium spp. in Australian InfantsComplementary 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
Altered dietary behaviour during pregnancy impacts systemic metabolic phenotypesEvidence 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
Perinatal Women’s Perspectives of, and Engagement in, Digital Emotional Well-Being Training: Mixed Methods StudyPsychological distress in the early postpartum period can have long-lasting deleterious effects on a mother's well-being and negatively affect her infant's development. Intervention approaches based in contemplative practices such as mindfulness and loving-kindness and compassion are intended to alleviate distress and cultivate well-being and can be delivered effectively as digital mental health interventions.
Research
Childhood obesity: what we have learnt from our failure to engage mothers in our interventionWith more than one in four Australian children overweight or obese, and the significant risks this poses for health problems like asthma, depression,...
Research
Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and PlanetGlobal food systems are a central issue for personal and planetary health in the Anthropocene. One aspect of major concern is the dramatic global spread of ultra-processed convenience foods in the last 75 years, which is linked with the rising human burden of disease and growing sustainability and environmental health challenges.