The Adamo Lab - Prevention in the Early Years Research Program

Recent News

Congratulations!
  • To Dr. Kristi Adamo for representing the School of Human Kinetics and the Adamo lab at the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Ottawa.
  • To Kelly-Ann Hutchinson for the successful completion of her MSc. and nomination of her thesis for a prize.
We are looking for students to join our team!

Attention Postdoctoral candidates and PhD students, we have funding for placenta-related projects starting ASAP!
For more information about the PLACENTA project click here.
If you are interested in joining the Adamo Lab or learning more, email kadamo@uottawa.ca

Recruiting Pregnant Women
 

The PLACENTA study is looking at physical activity and dietary implications throughout pregnancy and recruiting pregnant women less than 28 weeks pregnant, between 18-40 years of age, normal weight or overweight. Please contact placenta@uottawa.ca or
click here for more information.

Étude PLACENTA examine les implications de l'activité physique et l’alimentation pendant la grossesse. Nous recrutons de femmes enceintes de moins de 28 semaines de grossesse, entre 18 - 40 ans, poids normal ou en surpoids. SVP contact placenta@uottawa.ca.
Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus.
Illustration by artist Kyle Metcalf (www.kylemetcalf.com)
Check out an article about the PLACENTA SQUAD published by Dr. Sarah Giles in The Walrus  -  "What the Placenta Can Tell Us About Human Health: The long overlooked organ might be the key to understanding childhood development"
​
Click here to view the article



​
About Us 
Picture

Under the lead of Dr. Kristi Adamo, the Prevention in the Early Years research program at the University of Ottawa focuses on early intervention and upstream prevention of the intergenerational cycle of obesity and metabolic disease. Specifically, we investigate the relationship between pregnancy and downstream health, and the impact of healthy active living on placental biology. We also explore the applicability of healthy active living intervention strategies during key phases of growth, development and determination of long term health (i.e. intrauterine, preschool).

Our Mission

Through research and collaboration we aim to explore relationships between pregnancy and downstream health, and the impact of healthy active living on placental biology. Furthermore, we strive to discover healthy active living intervention strategies for children and mothers-to-be. By offering a healthy start to society's youth and future generations to come, we aspire to reduce the health care burden faced by society. We are motivated to ensure that young children begin life with a healthy foundation from which they can live a long, healthy, and prosperous life. We are driven to pursue our vision of a healthier future.

Our Current Research Focus

​Dr. Adamo’s research program is aimed at the early prevention of obesity and promotion of long-term health and includes projects related to the impact of healthy active living on placental biology, the relationships between pregnancy and downstream health, the impact of physical activity (PA) adoption in the early years, and positive practices for lifestyle interventions during pregnancy. In collaboration with US-based colleagues, her team is also customizing a pregnancy-focused mHealth app called SmartMoms-Canada. Continuation of this work will include an evaluation of the effectiveness of this app-based program to reduce excessive gestational weight gain and optimize maternal health and offspring growth. In parallel, her team is embarking on an exciting project examining potential physical activity-induced changes in placenta biology. The PLACENTA study is the first of its kind to take a comprehensive look at the role of PA during pregnancy in regulating gene expression and metabolic function in the placenta. This novel project will use a multi-tiered approach including; global gene expression using transcriptional and ribosomal profiling, transport kinetics using the ex vivo placenta perfusion model, and systemic maternal and fetal mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. 


​Recent Publications

  • Blais AZ, Lougheed J, Yaraskavitch J, Adamo KB, Longmuir P. “I really like playing games together”: Understanding what influences children with congenital heart disease to participate in physical activity. Child: Care. Health and Development. 2020 Feb 3.
  • Weeks A, Halili L, Liu RH, Deonandan R, Adamo KB. Gestational weight gain counselling gaps as perceived by pregnant women and new mothers: Findings from the electronic maternal health survey. Women and Birth. 2020 Feb 1;33(1):e88-94.
  • Carson V, Adamo KB, Ogden N, Goldfield GS, Okely AD, Kuzik N, Crozier M, Hunter S, Predy M. Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Associations Between Child Care Educators and Children. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2020 Jan 29.
  • Halili L, Liu RH, Weeks A, Deonandan R, Adamo KB. High maternal self-efficacy is associated with meeting Institute of Medicine gestational weight gain recommendations. PloS one. 2019;14(12).


​
​Our Twitter Feed


​Hi, we're the Adamo Lab



​Links: