Is A Higher Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Advantageous For Weight Loss?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,219.00
Summary
A 12 month dietary trial will be conducted to investigate whether a diet that is high in polyunsaturated fat (particularly long chain omega-3 fats found in fish oil) improves weight loss and metabolism, compared to a standard low fat weight-reducing diet. Other benefits of the diet, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood lipids and glucose, will be investigated. The findings will be used to refine dietary advice for weight loss and to develop food products enriched with fish oil.
The DietAdvice Website A New Innovation For Dietitians In Clinical Practice.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,975.00
Summary
Due to the growing incidence of obesity within Australia, use of computer technology may be a method of targeting these people by increasing access to dietary services. Currently available dietary software in the Australian context only allows analysis of nutrient information. Thus when a dietitian sees a patient they must manually translate food intake to nutrient information, a largely time consuming exercise. DietAdvice is a website that was developed for people to enter in their own food int ....Due to the growing incidence of obesity within Australia, use of computer technology may be a method of targeting these people by increasing access to dietary services. Currently available dietary software in the Australian context only allows analysis of nutrient information. Thus when a dietitian sees a patient they must manually translate food intake to nutrient information, a largely time consuming exercise. DietAdvice is a website that was developed for people to enter in their own food intakes. The food information is sent to a dietitian who develops individualised dietary advice for them. A pilot study of the website has already found it to be feasible in the primary healthcare setting. Tested for 12 months the website was used by 224 patients from GP practices in the Illawarra region of NSW. Approximately 73% of patients were overweight and patients with a high BMI were 1.88 times more likely to use the website in the comfort of their home. Further research about the website however was needed. The research to follow on from the pilot study will aim to refine the DietAdvice website, leading towards its commercialisation for dietitians in clinical practice. The research will be broken into 3 phases. Phase 1 will involve a usability test of the website, assessing the underlying algorithms and testing it with dietitians in private practice. Phase 2 will see volunteers using the website on multiple occasions after being given pre-weighed amounts of food to eat. This will determine how reliable and accurate the information is; and phase 3 will evaluate whether the website is cost effective and if it increases accessibility of health services especially in rural areas. By confirming these attributes there will be a sound basis to commercialise the product.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Cytochrome P450 Genotype On Blood Pressure And 20-HETE Responses To Lifestyle Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,665.00
Summary
The effectiveness of treatments to reduce heart disease risk can vary enormously between individuals. This is partly due to a persons genetic makeup. Fatty acid metabolites called cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid (CYP450-AAM) can act on blood vessels and the kidney to regulate blood pressure. We will study the effect of having a variation in a gene that regulates CYP450-AAM on blood pressure and heart disease risk in combination with a high salt diet or weight reduction.
Long-term Health Effects Of Low-carbohydrate Diets In Obese Subjects With The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,716.00
Summary
The prevalence of obesity and its associated physiological and psychological comorbidities is increasing dramatically in Australia and throughout the developed world. Governing public health bodies recommend lifestyle changes of energy restriction combined with increasing physical activity for the treatment of obesity. In response to the increasing concerns about the rising level of obesity, there has been a multitude of fad diets developed outside the medical and nutritional recommendations for ....The prevalence of obesity and its associated physiological and psychological comorbidities is increasing dramatically in Australia and throughout the developed world. Governing public health bodies recommend lifestyle changes of energy restriction combined with increasing physical activity for the treatment of obesity. In response to the increasing concerns about the rising level of obesity, there has been a multitude of fad diets developed outside the medical and nutritional recommendations for healthy eating and with this an increased popularity of dietary regimens with severe restriction of carbohydrate, such as the Dr. Atkins diet. But although adopted by millions worldwide yearly and the release of a range of low-carbohydrate products into the food market, there is minimal scientific evidence available for the long-term efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets, including their impact on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney function, bone health, psychosocial function and the capacity to undertake concurrent physical activity and daily living activities. Consequently, there is a lack of evidenced-based public health recommendations and policy regarding these dietary practices. In this project we will compare the long-term nutritional adequacy and effects of a very low-carbohydrate, weight loss diet to a conventional high-carbohydrate, low fat weight loss diet on cardiovascular health, exercise tolerance, mood state, bone health, renal function, bowel health and cancer risk in obese people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in order to develop appropriate public health guidelines to counsel obese patients.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Regulation Of Hepatic Steatosis And Lipid Transport In The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,435.00
Summary
Obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. Elevated fat levels in the liver and blood are associated with obesity and increased risk for heart disease. In this project, we will demostrate new mechanisms of action of Pioglitazone (an insulin-sensitizing agent) and Omacor (fish oils) that will complement the favourable efect of weight loss in the treatment of elevated blood fats and reduction in risk of heart disease in an important groups of subject in the population.
Short Term Effects Of Overfeeding On Metabolic Risk In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Obesity is associated with increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity prevalence is rapidly increasing and consitutes one of the greatest threats to human health. The aim of this study is to determine mechanism-s underlying the close relationship between obesity and insulin resistance by inducing experimental weight gain in humans with and without a genetic predisposition to diabetes. This project will help identify new candidates for anti-diabetes drugs.
Molecular Characterisation Of Adiponectin Receptors: Implications For Adiponectin Action And Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,137.00
Summary
Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by fat cells with anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic and insulin sensitising properties. Adiponectin levels and actions are compromised in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Adponectin mediates its effects via two receptors but the mechanisms are poorly understood. This proposal aims to define the underlying mechanisms with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies to improve adiponectin's actions.
Determinants And Impact Of Patient-Centred Health Outcomes In Psoriatic Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,069.00
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic joint disease which is linked with the skin condition called psoriasis. People who have psoriatic arthritis can develop deformities in their joints and suffer from decreased quality of life. Psoriatic arthritis can present in a wide range of ways, but the reasons for this are not understood. This research aims to explain some of this variation and to predict which patients will develop more severe disease so treatment can be targeted to improve their outcome.
Is Insulin Sensitivity In Children And Their Mothers Programmed By Maternal Blood Glucose?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,630.00
Summary
Glucose intolerance in pregnancy is associated with the birth of large-for-dates and macrosomic (>4000g) babies. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in babies who are small or large at birth compared to those with normal birth weight. This study will determine if treatment of mothers with glucose intolerance in pregnancy (which is intermediate between normal glucose tolerance and diabetes) alters the regulation of glucose tolerance in their children. The mothers were randomised to receive ....Glucose intolerance in pregnancy is associated with the birth of large-for-dates and macrosomic (>4000g) babies. The risk of type 2 diabetes is greater in babies who are small or large at birth compared to those with normal birth weight. This study will determine if treatment of mothers with glucose intolerance in pregnancy (which is intermediate between normal glucose tolerance and diabetes) alters the regulation of glucose tolerance in their children. The mothers were randomised to receive normal antenatal care or to have their blood sugar measured and controlled by diet and insulin as for diabetics. We will measure the insulin sensitivity of the children to a glucose load. We will also measure blood pressure and lipids in these children. Treatment of the mother during pregnancy may alter the deposition of fat in the fetus the effect of which will continue into childhood. Thus the offspring of treated mothers may remain thinner throughout childhood. Each pregnancy increases a woman's chance of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. This risk is further increased by abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy. This study will test the long-term benefits of treatment during pregnancy of women with impaired glucose tolerance on the subsequent regulation of glucose tolerance. We shall invite women who took part in the Australian Carbohydrate Study in Pregnancy (ACHOIS) to return and have an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance will be determined and related to treatment of the impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. This study will be the first follow-up of a large randomised trial of treatments of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy. The potential long-term benefits are strategies to reduce the future chance of developing risk factors for type 2 diabetes, obesity and abnormal blood lipids in childhood and adult life. The study will establish the benefits or otherwise of tight control of blood glucose in pregnancy.Read moreRead less