Latest News
Providing further understanding of the link between low birth weights and obesity later in life, researchers found nutritionally deprived newborns are "programmed" to eat more because they develop less neurons in the region of the brain that controls food intake
» view
For details click on "Read More".
» view
We now have 1012 mothers enrolled in the START study!
» view
If we can better understand a South Asian woman’s social networks, we will design interventions that help her improve the health of her family with the support of her social networks.
» view
The South Asian Birth Cohort Sub-study: Optimal Perinatal Health Behaviours from the Perspectives of Grandmothers- officially released by Canadian Institute of Health Research in the 'Video Talks' competition for 2016.
» view
Happy New Year
» view
Thankyou for participating!
» view
Here are answers to some questions you may have for us.
» view
Join Our Mailing List

Join our mailing list to receive updates from START

» join
Home About The Study   Our Objectives

Our specific study objectives are to determine:
  1. If there are differences in birth weight and adiposity comparing South Asian to white Caucasian newborns in Ontario.
  2. The antenatal maternal factors and pregnancy factors which are associated with the newborn’s adiposity at birth.
  3. The association between early feeding practices on post-natal growth & adiposity at 1 and 3 years after birth.
  4. The association between maternal micronutrient status & newborn’s adiposity and insulin resistance at birth and 3 years.
  5. The relative contribution of selected candidate genes & epigenetic markers using DNA (and placenta) collected from mothers and newborns to adiposity at birth and adiposity accumulation in the growing offspring to 3 years.