Data linkage in an established longitudinal cohort: the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

The Western Australian Data Linkage System is one of a few comprehensive, population-based data linkage systems worldwide, creating links between information from different sources relating to the same individual, family, place or event, while maintaining privacy. The Raine Study is an established cohort study with more than 2000 currently active participants. Individual consent was obtained from participants for information in publicly held databases to be linked to their study data.

Good-quality diet in the early years may have a positive effect on academic achievement.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between early diet and academic performance during childhood.

Methods: Participants were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study (n = 2287). Frequency of consumption of food and beverages was collected at the one-, two- and three-year follow-ups, using a 24-hour food recall.

The Relationship between Nutrition in Infancy and Cognitive Performance during Adolescence.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term associations between breastfeeding duration during infancy, diet quality as measured by a diet score at 1 year of age, and cognitive performance during adolescence.

Methods: Participants (n = 717) were recruited from the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, a prospective longitudinal study of 2868 children and their families based in Perth, WA, Australia. Breastfeeding duration and an early diet score at age 1 year were used as the main predictor variables, while a computerized cognitive battery (CogState) was used to assess adolescents' cognitive performance at 17 years.

A Western dietary pattern is associated with poor academic performance in Australian adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate cross-sectional associations between dietary patterns and academic performance among 14-year-old adolescents. Study participants were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. A food frequency questionnaire was administered when the adolescents were 14 years old, and from the dietary data, a 'Healthy' and a 'Western' dietary pattern were identified by factor analysis.

Understanding food security issues in remote Western Australian Indigenous communities.

Issue Addressed: Food insecurity in remote Western Australian (WA) Indigenous communities. This study explored remote community store managers' views on issues related to improving food security in order to inform health policy.

Methods: A census of all remote WA Indigenous community store managers was conducted in 2010.

Prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence.

Methods: Participants were sourced from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study that includes 2868 children born between 1989 and 1992 in Perth, Western Australia. When the children were 17 years old (2006-2009), cognitive performance was assessed using a computerized cognitive battery of tests (CogState) that included six tasks.

Diet in the early years of life influences cognitive outcomes at 10 years: a prospective cohort study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between diet during the first 3 years of life and cognitive outcomes at 10 years of age.

Methods: The Raine Study is a longitudinal study of 2868 children and their families. Based on the foods reported to be eaten at age one, two and three, an Eating Assessment in Toddlers diet score was developed, consisting of seven components.

The role of nutrition in children's neurocognitive development, from pregnancy through childhood.

This review examines the current evidence for a possible connection between nutritional intake (including micronutrients and whole diet) and neurocognitive development in childhood. Earlier studies which have investigated the association between nutrition and cognitive development have focused on individual micronutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, folic acid, choline, iron, iodine, and zinc, and single aspects of diet. The research evidence from observational studies suggests that micronutrients may play an important role in the cognitive development of children.