The first 2000 days of life, from conception to age 5, is a key developmental period when eating behaviours are established informing developmental, educational and health outcomes across the life course. Common conditions like obesity, and later in life heart disease, diabetes and some cancers are all related to what we eat as children. Diet quality in early childhood is culturally and socioeconomically patterned, with disparities apparent early in life.
A/Prof Laws’ research spans understanding the determinants of optimal child nutrition to inform the co-design of programs with families. One of the programs she leads is INFANT, designed to support parents with feeding, nutrition and active play for their child from pregnancy to 18 months of age. INFANT, is now being offered across Victoria, with state government support.
A/Prof Laws shares her research findings in podcasts, parenting magazines and social media articles. She works in close partnership with practice and policy stakeholders to integrate effective early life nutrition interventions into routine service delivery to maximise reach and impact.