News and events
We bring you the latest in news and information in the field of early years research, in particular studies which look at the influence of nutrition and physical activity on life-long health.
You can also find out about the latest events run by Healthy Start Professional Development and our partner organisations.
To keep up-to-date with early years research and events, please subscribe to our e-newsletter.
News and events
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Study to look at treatment to prevent disorders in premature babies
01 August 2018University of Otago researchers will investigate a new steroid therapy which could potentially prevent disorders developing in children born prematurely. -
Prolonged oxygen exposure as a newborn could impair later cognitive development
31 July 2018New research finds that prolonged oxygen exposure in newborn mice can impair the signalling pathways required for long-term learning and memory. -
SMARTER September Extended Until End of November!
30 July 2018It's been such a success dedicating a whole month to celebrate SMARTER planning with SMARTER September, that we have decided to extend the challenge until the end of November 2018! So get cracking and send in your SMARTER plans and be in to win a $200 voucher! (MTA, Countdown or Westfield). -
Drinking while breastfeeding could lead to lower cognition in children
30 July 2018Breastfeeding mothers who drink alcohol may be more likely to have children with cognitive problems, according to an Australian study. -
How maternal diet could change the infant gut microbiome
26 July 2018New evidence suggests that changes to a mother’s microbiome, or gut health, brought on by obesity or a high fat diet during pregnancy could be transferred to the microbiome of her unborn baby. -
Consultation on sugar labelling
24 July 2018The public is being asked for ideas on how to improve sugar labelling on food. -
Stark rise in severely obese children in England
24 July 2018New figures from the UK show that the percentage of children aged 10 to 11 with severe obesity has reached its highest point since records began. -
Call for cheaper, better screening for brain-threatening newborn condition
17 July 2018Babies may be missing out on treatment for a common, brain-threatening condition and others receiving unnecessary treatment due to the wide use of a screening test known to be unsuitable. -
New Zealand's worrying fast food trends
11 July 2018The serving size, energy and sodium levels of New Zealand fast food have increased significantly over the past five years, according to University of Auckland research. -
Two million New Zealanders will be obese by 2038
05 July 2018New research shows that the number of clinically obese New Zealanders is set to double to two million by 2038 if current trends continute. -
Formula feeding changes gut microbiome and increases risk of baby being overweight
03 July 2018A Canadian study has found that exclusive breastfeeding in the first three-months of life produces a different gut microbiome profile which may be protective against obesity. -
Exclusive breastfeeding in hospital associated with longer breastfeeding duration
27 June 2018New findings from a large Canadian longitudinal study have found that exclusive breastfeeding in the first few days of life is positively associated with longer-term breastfeeding. -
Brain scans of preterm babies could reveal best feeding for brain development - NZ study
20 June 2018ain scans of days-old premature babies could help researchers determine the best feeding style for brain development, lowering the babies’ risk of learning difficulties. -
Auckland school children getting heavier
20 June 2018A new report finds that many Auckland children are putting on excess weight in their school years. -
Top tips for having difficult conversations
07 June 2018Top tips for having conversations about obesity. -
NZ ECE teachers lack knowledge about basic nutrition
06 June 2018physical activity for pre-schoolers finds that teachers lack basic nutrition knowledge. -
World Health Organisation launches Global Action Plan on Physical Activity
05 June 2018The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a new Global Action Plan on physical activity and health in an attempt to encourage people all over the world to become more active. -
Study shows TV junk food ban a cost-effective way to address childhood obesity
28 May 2018Australian researchers have found that banning junk food adverts on TV would offer value for money and would have the greatest benefit for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. -
Royal Australasian College of Physicians statement on obesity
27 May 2018The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has released a statement on obesity calling for stronger preventative action to reduce the impact of obesity, as well as changes to the health system to better support treatment. -
Renewed calls for mandatory folic acid supplementation in bread
10 May 2018Researchers have renewed calls for mandatory folic acid supplementation after a study found that very few pregnant women were abiding by national recommendations for supplementation.
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Early Life Nutrition Symposium Event as iCalendar
04 September 2018, 8:45am - 4:30pmA one-day symposium for all involved in the care of mothers and babies. This is an ideal professional development opportunity for midwives, Plunket nurses, GPs, nutritionists, dietitians, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare workers. Your chance to get up to date with the latest research in nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood, along with some practical, take-home learning that you can apply to your practice. -
A healthy start for a healthy life: Liggins Institute public lecture Event as iCalendar
28 March 2018, 6 - 8:30pmA public lecture to celebrate teh 17th birthday of the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland and its focus on the healthcare of mothers and babies. This seminar will feature: - Renowned Professor Sir Peter Gluckman looking at the breakthroughs the Institute has made - Liggins Institute director Frank Bloomfield examining how to translate research into clinical practice - Associate Professor Katie Groom demonstrating how a clinical trial works. -
Period pain to pregnancy weight gain: What’s going on in the female body? Event as iCalendar
21 November 2017, 6 - 7:30pmIn this session presented by the Royal Society of New Zealand, hear four fascinating talks by women researchers who will unpick the science from the scaremongering to explain what we know about the biology of being female. From period pain, to what to eat during pregnancy, to the discovery that breastfeeding may not be easy - you'll gain a better understanding of the issues that affect the great majority of women and the interventions that could make a difference. -
2017 Otago Spotlight Series: Child Health Research Event as iCalendar
12 September 2017, 9am - 3:30pmHear from more than a dozen University of Otago researchers who will provide short, easy-to-understand outlines of their work in child health. Fellow researchers will join invited guests including funders, policymakers, clinicians, research institutions, and community and government agencies for a day exploring: - Genetics and health - Healthy pregnancies - Healthy childhoods - Childhood conditions and treatments - Inequalities in child health -
The power and potential of the gut microbiome Event as iCalendar
24 August 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pmA ground-breaking study is underway at the Liggins Institute that might just be the simplest way to treat the obesity crisis yet. Gut bacteria taken from healthy donors - cleaned, encapsulated, and swallowed with a glass of water - could be the key to weight loss. -
Obesity and Fertility in Women: Can we and should we treat obesity prior to conception? Event as iCalendar
01 August 2017, 5pm - 6:30amThis public seminar given by international academic Professor Rick Legro explores obesity and fertility in Women and whether we should treat obesity prior to conception. Professor Legro is the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Public Health Services at Penn State College of Medicine (U.S.A). He is an internationally recognised expert in fertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Professor Legro, whose topic of interests include fertility, obesity and genomics, has had many important national and international roles, but perhaps the most important is his leadership of several large randomised controlled trials for the Cooperative Multicentre Reproductive Medicine Network of the NIH. -
Managing childhood obesity Event as iCalendar
27 July 2017, 9 - 11:30amA public lecture from Professor David Haslam. Dr Haslam is a GP with a special interest in obesity and cardiometabolic disease. He's a physian in obesity management at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in the UK. He has written a dozen books and over 200 articles on obesity and related diseases. His books include 'Fat Gluttony and Sloth, Obesity in Art, Literature and Medicine', and 'The Obesity Epidemic, and its Management', both 2010, and 'Controversies in Obesity' and 'Fast Facts; obesity' both 2014. -
FIZZ Symposium: Taxing Sugary Drinks - an election issue Event as iCalendar
26 June 2017The annual FIZZ symposium exploring: - Why sugary drinks are harmful - Efforts to reduce the harm caused by sugary drinks - Examples of taxes on sugary drinks - A political panel discussion on a sugary drinks tax in New Zealand. -
Your Microbiota and their part in your good health Event as iCalendar
27 May 2017, 9:30am - 1pmA brief overview of the human microbiome and its varieties of microbiota (bacteria, fungi and yeasts, protozoa, and parasites) – their impact on health conditions from birth to older age; why they live within us and on us; and the battle between the good guys and the bad guys. We will also address the impact of western lifestyle and health treatments on your microbiome and learn to foster and grow our own internal garden of good health bugs. -
Brainwave Trust: Professionals working with Vulnerable Children Event as iCalendar
09 May 2017A one-day knowledge symposium designed to provide information on current understanding on brain development in the early years specific to vulnerable children. This symposium will provide delegates with a deeper knowledge and understanding of child brain development from multiple areas of research. -
Lifestyle Choices for Early Life Learning Symposia Event as iCalendar
11 April 2017, 8:45am - 4pmA one day symposia looking at how environmental factors can influence a baby's learning: • How much sleep do babies and children need? • Do screens damage babies’ brains? • Does our environment affect learning to eat? • Fishy misconceptions: Are all salmon created equal? -
Māori Nutrition and Physical Activity Symposium Event as iCalendar
05 April 2017 - 06 April 2017, 8:30am - 4pm -
An evening of mini lectures from Liggins Institute Researchers Event as iCalendar
22 March 2017, 5:30 - 7:30pmHear from those leading the research in early life science in New Zealand. This fascinating evening will talks that will walk you across the spectrum of new research from how we can detect heart defects in newborn babies to the possibility of developing individualised health plans for life. -
The Diabesity Crisis: how can we make a difference? Event as iCalendar
17 March 2017, 9am - 5pmA day-long workshop with researchers from two National Science Challenges and international experts who are working to address the diabetes and obesity crisis. -
The 'cost' of sugar forum Event as iCalendar
16 March 2017, 7 - 9pmChaired by renowned broadcaster Kim Hill, this panel discussion will explore the cost of sugar from a variety of different angles, including both the positive and negative impacts of sugar on our society. -
Exercise and nutrition for life-long improved cognition Event as iCalendar
11 March 2017, 2:15 - 3:15pmThis lecture presented by Dr Liana Machado of the University of Otago's Brain Health Research Centre looks at exercise and nutrition to support a long and healthy life for your brain. -
Otago University Summer School: Participation and collaboration with children, young people and whānau Event as iCalendar
22 February 2017, 9am - 5pmThis one-day symposium is for everyone working with, or researching with children, young people and their whānau in order to improve health and wellbeing. The course will use a child’s rights to health and equity lens to outline the importance of participation and collaboration with children, young people and their whānau. We will explore ethical concerns and challenges, as well as case studies and other examples of effective public health practices. The day will also involve presentations by young people on the work they are doing to support children and young people to have their voices and views heard by decision-makers. -
Otago University Summer School: Confronting children's obesity promoting environments Event as iCalendar
20 February 2017, 9am - 5pmAre you concerned with overweight and obesity in children? Would you like the latest evidence about the obesity-promoting environment children live in from their perspective? This one-day symposium gives you the opportunity to plan action with leading experts from the community and academia -
Confronting children's obesity-promoting environments Event as iCalendar
20 February 2017, 9am - 5pmAre you concerned with overweight and obesity in children? Would you like the latest evidence about the obesity-promoting environment children live in from their perspective? This one-day course gives you the opportunity to plan action with leading experts from the community and academia? -
ECE services as priority settings for child health Event as iCalendar
13 February 2017, 9am - 5pmThis course presents current and international research into ECE related health issues, and provides a forum to discuss national ECE health policy. The course will provide an insight into the health issues in the ECE sector as well as practical strategies for engagement with ECE services and organisations. -
A series of mini-lectures on the latest research in early life science. Event as iCalendar
30 November 2016, 5:30 - 7:30pmAn evening of mini lectures from Liggins Institute researchers discussing: the risk factors of adult disease, the safety of your supplements, the power of the gut microbiome, and how to improve life for children with cerebral palsy. -
Early Life Nutrition Symposium Event as iCalendar
27 October 2016, 8:45am - 4:30pmA one-day symposia that continues to address nutrition's key messages in the first 1000 days. -
Toward a sugary drink free Aotearoa Event as iCalendar
11 October 2016This symposium will look at the science as to why high sugar and sugary drink intake is detrimental to health. It will also showcase a number of initiatives that have been developed to restrict sugar and promote health. -
Webinar on Ministry of Health Food and Activity Guidelines Event as iCalendar
28 September 2016, 10 - 11amToi Tangata hosts this webinar with senior Ministry of Health advisor, Martin Dutton, who presents information on the MOH Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand adults. This webinar will also include information on the next step for the guidelines: physical activity guidelines for under-fives. Martin will be challenging the way one uses standard messages and how they relate to their audiences. -
International Asian and Ethnic Minority Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016 Event as iCalendar
06 September 2016 - 07 September 2016This year’s theme is “Working together to achieve better health outcomes”. There will be a mixture of invited international and local speakers, featured sessions, workshops, and oral and poster presentaions. -
Liggins Institute 15th Anniversary Lecture and Cocktail Reception Event as iCalendar
10 August 2016, 6 - 8:30pmA celebration of 15 years of the Liggins Institute and its research into how early life events influence our likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes, obesity and coronary heart disease in adulthood. -
New Zealand Interprofessional Health Conference Event as iCalendar
04 July 2016 - 05 July 2016, 8am - 4pmThe conference will bring practitioners, educators, researchers, students, executives, policymakers and industry leaders together to advance interprofessional education and collaborative practice in New Zealand. The conference recognises the importance of interprofessional education and collaborative practice and its contribution to improving health outcomes for New Zealanders. -
ANA Whangarei Regional Forum Event as iCalendar
17 June 2016, 9am - 4pmA one-day professional development and networking event for people who are working or volunteering with communities to promote healthy eating and physical activity. -
Presentation on the healthy and unhealthy aspects of diet quality in US preschool-aged children Event as iCalendar
20 April 2016, 5:30 - 7:30pmThe Auckland Nutrition Network presents a seminar from Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Ohio State University, Sarah E. Anderson looking at healthy and unhealthy aspects of diet quality in US preschool-aged children. -
Early Life Nutrition: The First 1000 Days Symposium Event as iCalendar
31 March 2016, 8:45am - 5pmThe 19th in Massey University's nutrition symposia series explores the new evidence on the journey through the first "1000 Days". This one-day symposium is aimed at health practitioners and researchers interested in maternal and child health. Loaded with research and practical recommendations, experts from New Zealand and Australia will focus on: - Latest evidence on benefits of breastfeeding - The pollutants of breastmilk - The child's relationship with food and feeding: Beyond 500 Days - Weight control and nutritional considerations through pregnancy - Asthma in early life - Dealing with extremely fussy eaters - Prevention of obesity in early life -
Childhood obesity: the challenge of policy development in areas of post-normal science Event as iCalendar
11 March 2016, 10 - 11:30amSir Peter Gluckman will will discuss both the NZ Childhood Obesity Plan and the WHO report in the light of the complexities arising from different interests and perspectives. He will explore the public policy implications including the problems of normative versus evidential argument, the complexities of separating advocacy from knowledge brokerage in such situations, the science-policy and science-values interfaces and the implications of the NZ initiative for implementation and evaluation. -
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Childhood obesity: The challenge of policy development in areas of post-normal science Event as iCalendar
18 November 2015, 10 - 11:30amA presentation by Sir Peter Gluckman, the chief science advisor to the Prime Minister and co-chair of the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity, who will discuss policy developments in the area of childhood obesity. -
ToiRoa Certificate in Physical Activity and Nutrition Event as iCalendar
18 August 2015Toi Tangata offers an accredited Certificate of Indigenous Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition Leadership (Level 4). -
Workshop on nurtion and physical activity in Pasifika communities Event as iCalendar
14 August 2015, 8:30am - 3:30pmThe Agencies for Nutrition Action (ANA) is hosting a one-day professional development symposium for health professionals working to promote good lifestyle choices with Pasifika peoples. Find out more here. -
HCS roadshow for WCTO providers Event as iCalendar
01 July 2015 - 31 October 2015Between July - October 2015, Gravida is offering all Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) providers around New Zealand the opportunity to attend a free Healthy Conversation Skills (HCS) Training workshop in your region. -
Maternal and infant nutrition at ANA Conference 2015 Event as iCalendar
06 May 2015 - 07 May 2015The latest evidence about the importance of maternal and infant nutrition for life-long health will be highlighted at the annual Agencies for Nutrition Action (ANA) Conference in Auckland on 6-7 May 2015.