Through the BABY1000 study we’re aiming to identify and deal with interactions before and during pregnancy that can contribute to the development of health disorders that impact future generations
Through the BABY1000 study we’re aiming to better understand how interactions before and during pregnancy, particularly with the health of the mother, can contribute to the development of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other related disorders throughout the lives of the next generation.
Research shows that the health of parents at the time of conception is closely linked with the future health of their children.
Until now, most health initiatives have focused on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease as medical conditions, concentrating on their biology at the levels of genes, cells and organs. Through the BABY1000 Study, we’re taking a complex systems approach to disease states.
As an observational study, the combined expertise of the group will follow parents and their offspring, from preconception and early pregnancy through to the first 1,000 days of life.
Our current research is focused on three key projects:
Stillbirth and adverse pregnancy outcomes
Our team will investigate the effects of maternal and paternal obesity, weight trajectory during pregnancy, suboptimal nutrition, lack of exercise, gestational diabetes, sleep disturbances, dysregulated gut microbiome, immune system challenges, and depression and the relationship of these factors to impaired fetal outcomes.
Pre-pregnancy obesity
We have found that lifestyle changes towards a healthy maternal body weight before pregnancy may play a key role in combating the obesity epidemic. The outcomes of the studies planned will aim to both increase understanding and test interventions that guard against non-communicable disease and improve the health of the next generation.
Maternal nutrition
The effects of maternal nutrition have been observed in communities around the world. In Ghana, for example, it has been shown that women who conceive during the wet season have children who live longer and are healthier than those conceived in the dry season, most likely because in the wet season people eat more green, leafy vegetables. Our research will aim to identify the most beneficial nutritional choices for pregnant women.
These three areas of research are crucial for examining the relationships between biological, environmental and lifestyle exposures and their impact on pregancy and development.
Our research aims to improve the health of future generations by:
Internal collaborators
External collaborators
Phone:Ìý+61 2 8627 1616
Email:Ìýinfo.perkins@sydney.edu.au
John Hopkins Drive, Camperdown NSW 2006
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
