Synopsis

The Illawarra Born study is a regional based study that aims to improve health and wellbeing across the lifespan, with a particular focus on preventable chronic diseases, especially mental health. The study will follow and collect data from three cohorts representing different stages across the lifespan: infants, adulthood (parents), and older adulthood (grandparents). The multi-generational, cross-sectional and longitudinal design of this study supports a focus on the contributions of genetics, environment, and lifestyle on health and wellbeing. A feasibility study, focused on the perinatal period, was implemented in 2014/2015 with 41 families.

Summary

Study name Illawarra Born: cross generation health study
Current principal investigator/s Prof Brin Grenyer
Current project manager Dr Michelle Townsend
Cohort representative (study contact) Dr Michelle Townsend
Postal address School of Psychology, Northfields Clinic Building 22, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, 2522, NSW
Phone +612 4298 1304
Email mtownsen@uow.edu.au
Primary Institution University of Wollongong
Major funding sources Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
Study website https://www.ihmri.org.au/research-projects/illawarra-born-cross-generational-health-study/ 
Key reference Townsend, M. L., Kelly, M. A., Pickard, J. A., Larkin, T. A., Flood, V. M., Caputi, P., … & Grenyer, B. F. (2019). Illawarra Born cross-generational health study: feasibility of a multi-generational birth cohort study. Pilot and feasibility studies, 5(1), 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0418-5 
Are data available outside study team? On application 
Study focus The Illawarra Born study is a regional based study that aims to improve health and wellbeing across the lifespan, with a particular focus on preventable chronic diseases, especially mental health. The study will follow and collect data from three cohorts representing different stages across the lifespan: infants, adulthood (parents), and older adulthood (grandparents). The multi-generational, cross-sectional and longitudinal design of this study supports a focus on the contributions of genetics, environment, and lifestyle on health and wellbeing. A feasibility study, focused on the perinatal period, was implemented in 2014/2015 with 41 families.
Sampling frame  Families planning to give birth at the Wollongong Hospital, NSW, Australia (feasibility study).
Year commenced 2014
Commencement sample N=41 families 
Intergenerational? Yes 3 generations
Imaging No
Linkage No 
Biosamples? Blood, urine and faecal 
Ethics approvals or requirements? Extended consent

Waves

Wave Year Age (mean, range) Eligible sample
1  2014 Mothers: 22 to 41 years (M=31, SD = 4.56) at 22 weeks gestation 42 families
2  2014/15 Mothers: 22 to 41 years (M = 31.4, SD = 4.4) at 30 weeks gestation 39 families
3  2015 Birth 39 mothers, 39 babies
4  2015 Mothers: M = 31.69, SD =4.19; Infants: 7-10 weeks postpartum 39 mothers, 39 babies
5  2016 6 months postpartum 39 mothers, 39 babies
6  2016 12 months post partum: Mothers were aged 23 to 42 years (M = 31.8, SD = 4.29); Infants 12 to 23 months (M = 17, SD = 3.25) 38 mothers, 38 babies
7  2017 24 months post partum Mothers average age 34.22 years; Infants 25 to 34 months (M = 29.16) 33 mothers, 33 babies
8  2018-19 Infants 37 to 46 months (M = 41 months, SD = 3.19); Mothers were aged 30 – 43 years (M = 36.03, SD = 4.57 30 mothers, 30 babies