Improving Long-term Weight Loss By Deactivating The Famine Reaction With Molecular Or Lifestyle Means
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
Dr Amanda Sainsbury-Salis’ research will clarify which hormones and natural brain chemicals interact in the hypothalamus of the brain to control the famine reaction, the survival mechanism that slows your weight loss when you are on a diet. By knowing precisely which natural chemicals mediate the famine reaction and how they interact, it will be possible to weaken them by pharmaceutical and - or lifestyle means, thereby enabling more people to reap the benefits of being lean and healthy.
Measuring Changes In Fluids, Fat, Muscle Mass, Proteins & Other Body Components Non-invasively Through Course Of Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
The course of non-cancer related disease is difficult to assess clinically making it hard for clinicians to accurately predict the end of life course of illness for patients. No matter what the end of life disease is, death will involve multi-system organ failure and changes in body composition. These changes, including fluid distribution, muscle mass and type and fat mass as well as measures of body mass index, basal metabolic rate and arm muscle circumference can be accurately followed with no ....The course of non-cancer related disease is difficult to assess clinically making it hard for clinicians to accurately predict the end of life course of illness for patients. No matter what the end of life disease is, death will involve multi-system organ failure and changes in body composition. These changes, including fluid distribution, muscle mass and type and fat mass as well as measures of body mass index, basal metabolic rate and arm muscle circumference can be accurately followed with non-invasive multi-frequency bio-impedance. This information will provide a basis to either confirm the clinical diagnosis or lead to recommendations for change.Read moreRead less
Micro-architectural Bone Structure Determined By Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$52,288.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is the main form of arthritis. Bone metabolism is involved in osteoarthritis, however it is unknown how this relates to knee structures prior to disease onset. Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques enable measurement of a healthy knee joint to a diseased one. By using the Geelong Osteoporosis Study, we will demonstrate how bone metabolism affects change in knee structure, and the risk of osteoarthritis.
Effects Of Testosterone And Oestrogen On Body Composition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,768.00
Summary
Masculinising and feminising hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen respectively are important hormones controlling the amount of muscle, fat and bone in the body. By studying people with conditions such as prostate cancer where these hormone levels are disrupted, we aim to understand how testosterone and oestrogen affects various body systems, which may lead to new treatments for important public health problems of frailty, obesity and heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Improving Weight Loss Outcomes By Minimizing Adaptive Responses To Energy Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,458.00
Summary
While losing excess weight reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, current weight loss strategies are ineffective for most, in part because the body mounts a ‘famine reaction’ that increases hunger, decreases metabolic rate and may also cause loss of muscle and bone mass. This research aims to determine the effects of the famine reaction on body composition, as well as to identify new ways to block the famine reaction with food, thereby enabling more people to attain and maintai ....While losing excess weight reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, current weight loss strategies are ineffective for most, in part because the body mounts a ‘famine reaction’ that increases hunger, decreases metabolic rate and may also cause loss of muscle and bone mass. This research aims to determine the effects of the famine reaction on body composition, as well as to identify new ways to block the famine reaction with food, thereby enabling more people to attain and maintain a healthy body weight and composition.Read moreRead less
Early Influences Of Obesity And Fat Patterning In Children:critical Periods, Environmental Determinants, And Socio-cultu
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,152,711.00
Summary
Childhood obesity is an escalating public health problem both internationally and within Australia. Rates of childhood obesity in Australia are at one of the highest amongst developed nations. 25% of Australian children are currently overweight or obese. Obesity is a strong risk factor for chronic disease. In children, obesity is of concern because it is highly likely to persist and, during childhood, contributes to serious physical and mental health problems. A quarter of Australian children ar ....Childhood obesity is an escalating public health problem both internationally and within Australia. Rates of childhood obesity in Australia are at one of the highest amongst developed nations. 25% of Australian children are currently overweight or obese. Obesity is a strong risk factor for chronic disease. In children, obesity is of concern because it is highly likely to persist and, during childhood, contributes to serious physical and mental health problems. A quarter of Australian children are now carrying excess body fat. Because of these factors, prevention of obesity is paramount because success of current treatment options is limited and does not last. Especially harmful forms of fatness may originate in early life - the tendency to store fat in the abdominal region and the tendency to accrete fat rather than muscle (at any body size). For this reason, the early life determinants of obesity deserve special attention, even in the presence of society-wide factors conducive to obesity. Professor Moore and a group of researchers from the University of Adelaide will test the proposition that pre-birth and infancy is a ‘critical period’ for the development of obesity. The group aims to investigate whether there is a distinct period in early life for acquiring the predisposition to harmful forms of fatness. The project also aims to identify practical opportunities for prevention, focusing on mothers and their infants.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Of Body Composition, Renal Impairment And Inflammatory Cytokines In Indigenous Persons With Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,644.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians bare a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney failure. The metabolic syndrome (the combination of obesity, insulin-resistance, abnormal lipids, and hypertension) is a common occurrence and important risk factor for the above chronic conditions in this population. Further study of the relationship of fat distribution, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes and CKD is of benefit to understand and prevent mortality in this population.
Investigating The Physiological And Clinical Differences In Weight Loss In Obese Subjects With And Without Diabetes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$101,726.00
Summary
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are linked by the production of inflammatory factors in the body. These factors seem to link weight gain, especially around the abdomen, not only with insulin resistance, the precursor to diabetes, but also independently with the development with heart and kidney disease and reduced fertility. This study will investigate the effect of dieting and weight loss on inflammation and the function of the heart and other organs in obese people with and without diabetes.