Data-Driven Discoveries:  Key research findings using Raine Study data

Specific digestive symptoms - nausea, vomiting, irregular bowel habits and laxative use but not abdominal pain alone - at 17 were linked to a higher chance of pelvic pain at 22. Anxiety, depression, poor sleep and smoking were also more likely. Early warning signs of gut related symptoms encourage individually targeted clinical intervention. The focus of this study reflects 3 of the top 10 2025 participant research priorities.

How adolescents feel about physical activity matters for their long-term fitness. This study strengthens evidence that early attitudes are linked to measurable health outcomes years later. Authors suggest that schools, clubs and community programs prioritise fun and health, rather than emphasising competition alone. This study informs policies and interventions aimed at supporting adolescents to remain active and fit into adulthood.

This study is the first Australia-based research to track how diet quality changes as young people move out of home. By completing food frequency questionnaires across five follow‑ups, participants helped researchers identify key life transitions that are linked to small but lasting changes in diet quality, providing a strong foundation for future research into how everyday life experiences shape long‑term health.

This is the first study to examine the relationship between sleep quality, quantity, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) longitudinally through childhood and adolescence. We don't know exactly how poor sleep affects hormones linked to PCOS, but results give researchers a good starting point for studying whether better sleep could help prevent PCOS before it develops.

This study identified increased risk of insulin resistance in women with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Early identification in adolescence could help prevent future cardiometabolic disease. This 2026 study shows how longitudinal data can reveal health trajectories long before disease develops. All reference to PCOS in the paper means PMOS.

Backpain is a major health burden in Australia. This 2025 study explored links between epigenetics* and DNA methylation^ on spinal pain. They made a new discovery – that DNA methylation at 17 is linked to neck and low back pain at 22.
*how the environment and experiences can turn genes on and off. ^a small molecule is added to DNA which changes gene activity to silence or activate a gene

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is a major cause of non-alcohol related liver disease. This study suggests an association between SLD and less diverse gut bacteria, similar to patterns seen in obesity, cardiovascular and inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. This highlights potential for gut microbiome profiling as an early biomarker for SLD and reinforces links to systemic inflammation and chronic disease risk in young adults.

Irregular sleep, often caused by lifestyle choices, has been reported across various Australian communities. Shift work and inconsistent sleep patterns throughout the week have been linked to poorer health outcomes—particularly heart disease, mental health issues, and a higher risk of early death. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule could improve the overall health of middle-aged and older Australians.

This study used heart scans (cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging) of Generation 2 participants at age 27. No major differences were found in heart structure or function of those participants born to mothers reporting hypertension high blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy compared to those with normal BP. Even complicated cases showed no difference. This is the largest study of its kind.

This study looked at how common it is for people to become nearsighted (myopia, where the eye elongates from front to back) and whether it worsens in early adulthood. It found that the eye can start, and continues, to elongate during the thirties with faster progression in females and those with parental myopia.

This study examined change over time in three eye health measures - retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), eye pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness. Measures were taken from 680 participants at ages 20 and 28. RNFL thickness and IOP were found to decrease in healthy adults in the third decade of life. Raine Study contributes a 'reference' for eye specialists to know what's expected in that age range. This could help spot eye disease.

Tracking heart health and plant-based diets (PBD) from early adolescence to adulthood can give information about heart-disease risks later on. Diets with more wholefoods, less processed food, lower fat/sugar and limited animal protein was associated with lower insulin, blood pressure and higher 'good' cholesterol (HDL) in females. Less healthy PBD was associated with higher insulin, insulin resistance and hypertension in males.

Influence of Diet on Mental Health.
This study found that Australian adolescents have two distinct dietary patterns: a “Western” pattern high in unhealthy foods like take-away, soft drinks, and processed meats, and a “healthy” pattern with more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Researchers found that healthy patterns were inversely associated with television viewing, amongst other things.

Eating a good breakfast that includes at least three out of five* main food groups is important to good mental health in adolescence. These findings support the idea that quality of breakfast is an important part of mental health in early adolescence. * 1.Bread/cereals 2.Veges 3. Fruit 4.Dairy 5.Meat, eggs, nuts, vegetarian meats.

Consuming a 'Western*' diet was linked to higher risk of mental health problems including depressive symptoms, in adolescents. Conversely, a ‘Healthy’ diet appeared to be protective against these issues. * High intake of red meat, takeaways, highly processed foods and confectionary.

Poor sleep behaviour across childhood and adolescent years is related to poorer physical and mental health in young adulthood. Participants with less sleep problems, such as sleeping less than most kids, less trouble sleeping, less nightmares, less talking/walking in sleep showed better physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood.

Sleep regularity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both thought to contribute to hypertension. This study found that this was the case, highlighting the potential importance of maintaining regular sleep patterns, especially for people with OSA, as it may help reduce the risk of hypertension. This study helps to identify treatment strategies for issues like high blood pressure in people with OSA.