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Research
Associations between natural blue and green space and preschool children's movement behavioursNatural outdoor environments provide important settings for children to engage in physical activity. It is unclear if these relationships also exist in preschool aged children. We examined associations between amount and type of neighbourhood vegetation and blue space, proximity to the beach and preschooler's device-measured movement behaviours.
Research
Maternal educational attainment in pregnancy and epigenome-wide DNA methylation changes in the offspring from birth until adolescenceMaternal educational attainment (MEA) shapes offspring health through multiple potential pathways. Differential DNA methylation may provide a mechanistic understanding of these long-term associations. We aimed to quantify the associations of MEA with offspring DNA methylation levels at birth, in childhood and in adolescence.
Research
Spatio-temporal mapping of stunting and wasting in Nigerian children: A bivariate mixture modelingStudies have shown that stunting and wasting indicators are strongly correlated among children, with the potential of concurrently affecting their physical and cognitive development. However, the identification of subpopulations of children with varying risks of stunting and wasting could be valuable for targeted intervention.
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Inter-rater reliability and agreement of the General Movement Assessment and Motor Optimality Score-Revised in a large population-based samplePrechtl's General Movement Assessment (GMA) at fidgety age (3-5 months) is a widely used tool for early detection of cerebral palsy. Further to GMA classification, detailed assessment of movement patterns at fidgety age is conducted with the Motor Optimality Score-Revised.
Research
The relationship between pitch contours in infant-directed speech and early signs of autism in infancyMother-infant interactions during the first year of life are crucial to healthy infant development. The infant-directed speech (IDS), and specifically pitch contours, used by mothers during interactions are associated with infant language and social development.
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Higher maternal protectiveness is associated with higher odds of child overweight and obesity: A longitudinal Australian studyUsing data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, this study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationships between maternal protectiveness and...
Research
Social support helps protects against depressed mood in adolescenceThe goals of the current study were to identify different trajectories of sadness from Grade 6 to 9 in Australian school students, and to explore the role that social support from school, teachers, friends and families play in supporting students’ mental health.
News & Events
Early Years Partnership budget boost welcomedThe Kids Research Institute Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by the Cook Government and Minderoo Foundation of a $34.6 million boost for the Early Years Partnership to achieve better outcomes for children.
Research
Gender differences in time allocation contribute to differences in developmental outcomes in children and adolescentsUsing over 50 thousand time-use diaries from two cohorts of children, we document significant gender differences in time allocation in the first 16 years in life. Relative to males, females spend more time on personal care, chores and educational activities and less time on physical and media related activities. These gender gaps in time allocation appear at very young ages and widen overtime.
Research
Perceptions of a family-based lifestyle intervention for children with overweight and obesity: a qualitative study on sustainability, self-regulation, and program optimizationFamily-based lifestyle interventions (FBLIs) are an important method for treating childhood weight problems. Despite being recognized as an effective intervention method, the optimal structure of these interventions for children’s overweight and obesity has yet to be determined.