The ORIGINS Project: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nutrition Profile of Pregnant Women in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort.

Pregnancy is an opportunistic time for dietary intake to influence future disease susceptibility in offspring later in life. The ORIGINS Project was established to identify the factors that contribute to 'a healthy start to life' through a focus supporting childhood health and preventing disease (including non-communicable diseases). We aim to describe the dietary intakes of pregnant women in this cohort and to compare these to the Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). The usual food and nutrient intakes of women were collected using the Australian Eating Survey (AES), a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A total of 374 women completed the AES FFQ at both 20 weeks and 36 weeks of gestation between December 2016 and January 2023. Macronutrient, micronutrient, and food group intake were explored using descriptive statistics. Overall, it was found that the energy contribution from carbohydrates was low, while that from fat and saturated fat was high; participants were not meeting the recommendations for several key micronutrients (calcium, iron, iodine, and folate); and they had low diet quality scores for all food groups. These findings suggest that despite the ongoing promotion of healthy eating during pregnancy, further exploration into why dietary guidelines during pregnancy are not being adhered to is warranted.

Comparison of Experiences in Two Birth Cohorts Comprising Young Families with Children under Four Years during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in Australia and the UK: A Qualitative Study.

This study aims to understand the experience and impact of the initial COVID-19 lockdown in young families with children aged below 4 years. Free text questions were administered to participants in the ORIGINS (Australia) and Born in Bradford (UK) cohort studies to collect qualitative information on worries, concerns and enjoyable experiences during the pandemic. A total of 903 (400 for ORIGINS and 503 for BiB) participants completed the two surveys during April 2020. Despite varying in geography, levels of socio-economic disadvantage and their situational context during the pandemic, respondents from both cohorts reported similar worries and challenges during the lockdown period, including: employment/finances, health anxiety, mental health and social isolation, caring for children and child development. Families across the globe experienced both positive and negative immediate impacts of COVID-19. Population-based data can be used to inform the development of support services, public health campaigns and universal interventions to assist families in future health crises.

Nutritional dual burden in Indigenous young adults: The geographical differential.

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional dual burden is defined as the coexistence of underweight and overweight in the same population. We report the rates of nutritional dual burden in Indigenous young men and women in the Northern Territory. Additionally, we examine the impact geographical area has on these rates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data obtained from the longitudinal Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study. SETTING: Participants residing in over 40 urban and remote communities across the Top End of the Northern Territory. PARTICIPANTS: Young adults aged 23-28 years; urban (n = 99) and remote (n = 316). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Anthropometric data was directly collected using standardised methods. Underweight was defined as BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m2 and overweight/obese as body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 . Remote residency was categorised by established shires/regions (Vic/Daly, Arnhem and Tiwi). RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of underweight were seen in remote participants, compared to urban participants, irrespective of sex. Further differences were seen by regions, with the highest rates seen in Vic/Daly, compared to Arnhem and Tiwi. Higher rates of overweight/obesity were found in urban participants, compared to remote. The levels of overweight/obesity varied, depending on region of residence. CONCLUSION: Underweight and overweight patterns coexist in Indigenous young adults, with variation across geographical regions. Health programs need to take this dual nutritional burden into consideration to avoid worsening the severity of underweight, whilst reducing levels of overweight.

What do we know about the diets of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia? A systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of published research on the dietary intake of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. METHODS: Peer-reviewed literature from 1990 to October 2016 was searched to identify studies that measured the dietary intake of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Study quality was assessed using a purposely devised quality appraisal tool. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity in dietary intake assessment methods. A narrative synthesis of study findings, where key themes were compared and contrasted was completed. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles from twenty studies with outcome measures related to dietary intake were included. Dietary intake was assessed by electronic store sales, store turnover method, 24-hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire and short questions. Consistent findings were low reported intakes of fruit and vegetables and high intakes of total sugar and energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverages. CONCLUSIONS: While differences between studies and study quality limit the generalisability of the findings, most studies suggest that the diets of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are inadequate. Implications for public health: A more concerted approach to understanding dietary patterns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is required to inform policy and practice to improve diet and nutrition.