Why University of Canberra researchers are focusing on parents-to-be
Posted on
Sundus Nizamani’s passion for pre-conception health research began in an unlikely place: a dentist’s office.
A dentist herself, Sundus says she began to notice how some children seemed more likely to develop certain conditions, regardless of their background.
“While working as a dentist I came across children that had to go through painful procedures for conditions that could have been prevented by maintaining oral hygiene,” she explains.
“This made me curious about why some people are more vulnerable to ill health irrespective of finances.”
While later undertaking a Masters of Public Health, Sundus explains she learned about “the social and environmental determinants of health” which sparked a lifelong interest in this unique area of health research.
“My interest in preventative had peaked at this point and I was determined to do a PhD. This is when I met the late Professor Shawn Somerset who hypothesised pre-conception care for both the mother and the father to prevent multigenerational metabolic syndrome.”
Now a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Canberra, Sundus is undertaking a research project that will see her work with heterosexual couples who do not have children but are looking to conceive soon.
“Research has shown that the health of parents at the time of conception has an impact on their future offspring’s health from birth until the later stages of their life,” she explains. “This is the population that I am targeting with my research; couples that currently don’t have children but are planning to in the future.”
“When we think of children’s health, focus is usually on the mother even though a child gets their genes from both their mother and their father via epigenetic processes. Children inherit some health traits from both their parents, and while some of it is fixed, some is indeed changeable. Modifiable health is the focus of my project.”
“As such, we aim to focus on both members of a couple to ensure that not only their wellbeing, but their future children’s wellbeing is supported, in addition to encouraging long-term adherence to healthy habits.”
For Sundus, this project is a dream come true.
“Together with Professor Shawn, Assistant Professor Ro McFarlane and Assistant Professor Cathy Knight Agarwal, we created this project. Needless to say, I cried tears of joy after our first meeting as it was such a delight having likeminded people working together towards something I had been passionate about.”
Sundus says the door is open for couples to sign up, although they must do so together.
“Couples that do things together are more likely to continue those habits as compared to if done by only one member of a couple,” she explains.
“I am looking to recruit couples that are living together anywhere in Australia, that are not pregnant and don’t have children yet, between the ages of 18-45 years.”
“It is an online program involving a total of five advisory sessions. Couples will be instructed on how to document their diet and physical activity levels and send in their diaries before each meeting. They will then receive tailored dietary and physical activity advice.”
“The research team is affiliated with the Health Research Institute at the University of Canberra and includes Dr. Sundus Nizamani, Dr. Cathy Knight-Agarwal and Dr. Ro McFarlane.”
If you and your partner are interested in the program, use this QR code to register expression of interest and receive more information or head to: forms.gle/SRneqprcMvUS23ZQ7.
