COBRA: Childhood Overweight BioRepository of Australia
Synopsis
COBRA (Childhood Overweight BioRepository of Australia) is a comprehensive repository of data and biological samples from overweight and obese children and their families. Established in 2009, as of June 2016, there are approximately 500 children currently participating, with recruitment ongoing. Obesity in early life is associated with many adverse effects on health, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), heart and liver disease. Unfortunately, to date, traditional methods of research have failed to identify effective prevention and treatment strategies, and large numbers of children and adolescents continue to be at high risk of developing weight-related disease. By collecting baseline environmental, clinical and anthropometric data, biological samples for genetic, metabolic and hormonal profiles, and incorporating opportunities for longitudinal data collection into the study design, COBRA will enable researchers to better understand the complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors that govern disease risk. In time, it is anticipated that this comprehensive approach to data collection will allow early identification of individuals most susceptible to disease, as well as facilitating refinement of prevention and treatment programs.
Current COBRA sub-studies include research into DNA methylation, hypertension, weight loss, quality of life, socio-economic status and living location, breastfeeding, maternal factors, and the use of multiplex urine analysis.
Summary
| Study name | Childhood Overweight BioRepository of Australia |
| Study abbreviation | COBRA |
| Current principal investigator/s | A/Prof Matt Sabin Dr Brooke Harcourt Ms Erin Alexander |
| Current project manager | Dr Brooke Harcourt |
| Postal address | Level 5 East, C/O The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052 |
| Phone | +613 9936 6184 |
| growing.healthy.kids@mcri.edu.au | |
| Primary Institution | Murdoch Children’s Research Institute |
| Collaborating Institution/s | Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center |
| Major funding sources | Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation |
| Key reference | Sabin, M.A., Clemens, S.L., Saffery, R., McCallum, Z., Campbell, M.W., Kiess, W., Crimmins, N.A., Woo, J.G., Leong, G.M., Werther, G.A., Ukoumunne, O.C. and Wake, M. A. (2010). New directions in childhood obesity research: how a comprehensive biorepository will allow better prediction of outcomes. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 10: 100 http://bmcmedresmethodol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2288-10-100 |
| Are data available outside study team? | No |
| Study focus | To develop a unique biorepository of data and biological samples from overweight and obese children |
| Sampling frame | Presentation to the specialist weight management service at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Australia. |
| Year commenced | 2009 |
| Commencement sample | ~500 (as of June 2016) |
| Intergenerational? | No |
| Imaging | No |
| Linkage | No |
| Biosamples? | Blood, urine |
| Ethics approvals or requirements? | This project only (Specific consent) Future research related to this project (Extended consent) Any future research (Unspecified consent) |
Waves
| Wave | Year | Age (mean, range) | Eligible sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009 – Ongoing | 11 years (2 – 18 years) | 500 |
| 2 | 2009 – Ongoing | 11 years + 1 week (2 – 18 years) | 500 |
| 3 | 2009 – Ongoing | 11 years + 2 week (2 – 18 years) | 500 |