Lay summary
This is a Seeding Grant application. The Early Life Factors (ELF) Study is a pilot project examining the relationship between a wide range of risk and protective early life factors and non-communicable diseases in children. In order to develop the larger study the applicant and her team need to: (i) consult with current participants to ensure that the current measurement tools for the first four survey cycles are acceptable and manageable; (ii) identify and refine culturally sensitive methods of recruiting Maori and Pacific participants; and (iii) refine and finalise the overall study processes (i.e. infrastructure), for the proposed full study. The Seeding Grant will enable the researchers to build a strong research application for the HRC's 2011 annual funding round. To maximise the chances of success, the work to be developed will enable a clearer understanding and provide insight into how the study's processes can be better refined. The proposed full study also makes provisions for developing Pacific research capacity because of its longitudinal nature. Referees for this application are Professor Chris Cunningham, Massey University, and Dr Debbie Ryan of Pacific Perspectives.