Welcome to the Nutrition and Genetics research theme. Headed by , studies under this theme look at genetic factors and how they impact on a child’s growth, body composition, and disease risk. Foci include growth potential, disease risk, genetic profile, nutritional genetics, and ethnic differences.
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 – 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.
Genetic and environmental determinants of obesity in Pacific Islander youth
This project seeks to identify genetic and environmental risk factors and interactions that contribute to the propensity to obesity development in Pacific Islander, particularly Samoan, children. This information can then be used to develop more efficacious intervention and education programs.
It is well recognised that childhood obesity is an increasing problem in Australia and throughout the world, so much so that it has been termed an epidemic. Within this epidemic, children of Pacific Islander and in particular Samoan heritage display some of the greatest rates of obesity in the world. Further, migrant populations of Pacific Islanders residing in urban areas of more affluent nations appear to be most at risk. It can be seen therefore that a significant public health problem exists within the Australian Samoan community.
Participants are interviewed in relation to eating and physical activity practices which include questions on culturally specific diet and lifestyle. DNA samples from saliva are collected and phenotypic (anthropometric and body composition) measurements taken.
Candidate genes for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fat metabolism, glucose metabolism, energy homeostasis, eating behaviours, and body composition will be identified to develop a customised SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) chip (Illumina) accommodating up to 384. The phenotypic observations will then be analysed in relation to genotypes and environmental factors. Specific associations between SNPs or environmental factors and obesity related phenotypes as well as genotype by environment (GxE) interactions that significantly influence obesity related phenotypes will be identified. A predictive model incorporating all associations and GxE interactions contributing to an obese phenotype can then be constructed and used to design an intervention/education program to prevent childhood obesity in Samoan Islander children.
Dr Ian Hughes – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Prof. Helen Truby – Monash University, Melbourne
Prof. Lyn Griffiths – Griffith University, Queensland
Dr Rod Lea - Griffith University, Queensland
Clinical data such as Growth Hormone (GH) dosage, diagnosis, height at each visit, biochemical and clinical test results, and concomitant disorders are collected for all patients receiving GH as a pharmaceutical benefit. This data can be used to investigate a number of issues in relation to the use of GH for specific clinical conditions such as idiopathic short stature, Turner Syndrome, and Prader Willi Syndrome. Recent investigations have looked at the response to treatment of Turner’s patients, why there are twice as many boys than girls receiving GH treatment, and the effect of the secular trend in height on the eligibility criteria for GH treatment in Australia. To date this work has been undertaken under the auspices of OZGROW, a subcommittee of the Australian Paediatric Endocrinology Group.
Research Team:
Dr Ian Hughes - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Prof. Peter SW Davies - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Dr Andrew Cotterill - The Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Cathy Choong – Princess Margaret Hospital, WA
Dr Mark Harris – The Mater Hospital
Boys grow taller than girls on average but essentially have the same set of genes. Boys are also more likely to receive GH for conditions resulting in short stature. Recently it has been shown that of GH deficient patients, boys are more likely to display anatomical abnormalities of the pituitary. Are the reasons for these observations genetic? Are there genes, important for growth and development, that are preferentially expressed in males or just more important to normal development in males?
Research Team:
Dr Ian Hughes - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Prof. Peter SW Davies - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
