Synopsis

The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study was established in 1989-1991 with the inclusion of 2900 pregnant women. There were 2868 live births and these children formed the original cohort (Generation 2) of the Raine Study. The initial focus of the Raine Study was around the developmental origins of health and disease, but the focus has since evolved towards a life-course framework approach taking into account interacting domains of genetics, phenotypes (cardiometabolic, respiratory, immunological, hormonal, musculoskeletal, psychological, vision and hearing, body composition and growth), behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, diet, drug use, risk taking), the environment (sunlight, chemical exposures, spatial environment) and other developmental outcomes (education, work).

The original cohort of 2868 children (Generation 2), is one of the largest, most successful prospective cohorts of pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and now adulthood to be carried out anywhere in the world. This cohort has provided environmental, developmental and health information over the past 27 years providing a unique and valuable resource covering a wide range of health areas. Follow-up assessments of the cohort have been conducted at birth, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22 and 27 years of age by a collaborative team of researchers from many universities and organisations.

The Raine Study is now a multigenerational life-course study addressing a broad range of health and developmental issues in three generations. In addition to the original cohort (Generation 2), their parents (Generation 1) participated in assessments, providing information about their children and about themselves. Generation 1 is currently participating in assessments of sleep, obesity and activity. In addition, the offspring (Generation 3) of the original cohort (Generation 2) is currently participating in assessments of developmental ability and physical activity.

Summary

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