The Children’s Nutrition Research Centre undertakes scientific research to improve the nutritional health of children and adolescents. The CNRC is particularly renowned for its studies in body composition, energy metabolism, and growth and development.
To support its research, the CNRC has one of the world’s best equipped body composition laboratories, with a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment for non-invasively assessing body composition in health and disease. The laboratory also supports clinicians by offering them a facility to accurately assess the body composition of young patients, helping a range of children with conditions such as cancer, eating disorders, obesity, bone marrow transplants, head and spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis.
The following stories demonstrate how we help.
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Baby Daniel’s story – why is Daniel so underweight?
Daniel is a 12 month old boy who weighs only 6kg. The reason for his severe low weight is unknown and he is believed to have multiple medical problems. Daniel and his mother have been flown to Brisbane from a regional area for investigation, which includes a trip to the Body Composition Laboratory. In the lab, his Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) is tested. This test determines how much energy Daniel is using for the basic functions of life. The results show that Daniel needs more energy (calories) than other children his height and weight. Dietitians are now able to prescribe the correct amount of calories for Daniel to consume via nasogastric tube to assist him to gain weight. Ongoing tests will determine the underlying cause of the increased energy need. Without the REE test, dietitians would have to rely on equations which predict the amount of calories Daniel would need to consume to gain weight. This would have severely underestimated his true needs and resulted in his continuing inability to gain weight. Daniel’s mother was initially reluctant for her son to be fed via nasogastric feeding. However, the REE test results helped dietitians to reassure her that Daniel would be unable to consume the amount of calories needed to gain weight, without the assistance of nasogastric feeds. |
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Tamika’s Leukaemia battle – how can we help her through Bone Marrow Transplant?
Eight year old Tamika has been diagnosed with Leukaemia. Unfortunately, chemotherapy hasn’t worked for Tamika and she needs a Bone Marrow Transplant. Tamika visits the Body Composition Laboratory for a Total Body Potassium (TBK) measurement and a Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) assessment before undergoing the transplant. The TBK test will check whether Tamika is nutritionally strong before undergoing the transplant and whether any treatment is needed to boost her nutritional status. This will give Tamika’s body the best chance of surviving the transplant. The REE test helps dietitians to plan the nutritional treatment needed to prepare for the transplant and help her recover after the transplant. CNRC research in its early stages shows that children who have a good body composition prior to Bone Marrow Transplant, and appropriate nutritional support through treatment, will have better transplant outcomes. |
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Tina the gymnast – how can we help determine if she has an eating disorder?
Tina is a 16 year old gymnast with a suspected eating disorder. She has just been admitted to hospital for evaluation. To evaluate Tina’s body composition, she will visit the Body Composition Laboratory for a Total Body Potassium (TBK) test and a Bod Pod test. Tina’s weight is below average but Tina claims this is due to her intense training. The TBK test shows that in spite of her high activity levels, Tina’s body cell mass (the muscles and active cells of the body) is depleted and below what would be expected for someone of her age, height and physical fitness. The Bod Pod test shows that Tina has a significantly reduced fat mass. The results of the body composition tests signal to the dietitian that Tina has a significantly reduced fat mass and body cell mass, possibly due to Tina restricting her food intake. Tina will require nutritional intervention to help increase her fat mass and body cell mass to a desirable level. |
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Kenny is obese – how can we help him to lose weight safely?
Kenny is a five year old boy who is obese. He has been referred to the Body Composition Laboratory for testing prior to staring an intervention program to assist him in losing weight. Kenny will have a Total Body Potassium (TBK) and Bod Pod Test to help him, his mother, the dietitian and the physician, understand his body composition. The Bod Pod test shows that Kenny has an above average level of fat mass. The TBK shows that although he is overweight and has a high fat mass, his body cell mass is below average and he is considered malnourished. Kenny’s mother is amazed that he would be considered malnourished. She thought he would be getting all the required nutrients due to the fact that he eats so much, is overweight and doesn’t “look malnourished”. The results help the dietitian to explain to Kenny’s mother, the need to feed Kenny the appropriate foods full of nutrients and the need to minimise sugary ‘nutrient empty’ foods that Kenny fills up on. These results mean that Kenny’s intervention program will need to focus on reducing his level of fat mass, as well as increasing his body cell mass, through appropriate food selection and exercise.
