Arkansas Children’s Hospital celebrates 30 years of nutrition research and innovation
The Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) is celebrating three decades of groundbreaking research that has significantly improved the health and development of children worldwide. Established in 1994, ACNC has become a leader in pediatric and maternal nutrition research through its large-scale studies exploring how maternal diet, physical activity and early feeding practices influence a child's growth and development. "The Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center plays a critical role in defining and delivering unprecedented care for children," said Dr. Pete Mourani, senior vice president and chief research officer of ACNC.
ACNC's research approach is translational, meaning their scientists oversee studies within traditional scientific labs as well as clinical studies and trials among children and mothers. This comprehensive approach expanded understanding of the impact of different feeding types on infants’ cognition, growth and development. Additionally, ACNC has explored how nutrition and physical activity influence maternal and child metabolism and brain function during critical periods of development, including pregnancy, early childhood and pre-adolescence.
"We are proud to host community-based studies that take the best evidence we know from the lab and the clinic to real-world settings where families live, learn and play," Mourani said.