EDOR director Professor Rachael Taylor and other EDOR members have shared their world leading research at the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) conference in Florence, Italy.
The invitation for several EDOR researchers to attend this international meeting highlights the strength of child sleep research produced within the Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre.
Keynote by Professor Barbara Galland
EDOR sleep researcher Professor Galland was asked to present one of the keynote addresses at the conference. Her presentation covered key research studies over the past decade that have aimed to decipher the relationship between digital screens and sleep.
Camera research a highlight of presentations
Professor Rachael Taylor presented data from the HABITS study, a mechanistic trial that investigated the effects of children's pre-bedtime behaviours on sleep quality and quantity.
The HABITS study used cameras to monitor what pre-bedtime behaviours children participated in, and to accurately identify what time they went to bed. The EDOR sleep research team are one of only a handful of research groups worldwide using cameras to measure health behaviours.
EDOR researchers share knowledge on Indigenous sleep intervention
EDOR co-director Associate Professor Justine Camp and Takiwai Russell-Camp presented a co-design approach to creating resources for the Whakamoeāriki project, a Kaupapa Māori research project for improving sleep and wellbeing in pēpi and their caregivers.
Whakamoeāriki, alongside the HABITS study, are part of a wider programme of research led by EDOR researchers which aims to improve sleep of tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.
Sleep as a novel strategy to improve health
Over the past decade, EDOR researchers have been investigating the relationship between sleep and other health behaviours including diet, physical activity, screen use as well as prevention of obesity in childhood. This research has contributed to the increasing awareness of the importance of sleep for many aspects of health and wellbeing. Our researchers are now focusing on ways to improve sleep as a novel way to improve the health and wellbeing in Aotearoa and internationally.
