Poor diet is now the leading cause of death and disability in Australia and most of the rest of the world. This is because most people eat too much fat, sugar, salt and energy which increases the risks of obesity, diabetes and premature death from conditions like stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. This research will identify new ways to prevent diet-related ill health by making it easier for everyone to eat better, and by identifying new treatments for problems like diabetes.
Trends And Determinants Of Blood Pressure In Chinese Children And Adolescents During The Recent Obesity Epidemic: A Repeated Cross-sectional Study Over 25 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,259.00
Summary
Over the last 25 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased over 9 times among Chinese children and adolescents. The aims of this project are to assess the trends of blood pressure levels in children during the period of obesity epidemic, and to estimate the effects of obesity and other factors on the trends of blood pressure levels. In this repeated cross-sectional study, we will analyse the data of six surveys collected over a period of 25 years with over 1.4 million participant ....Over the last 25 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased over 9 times among Chinese children and adolescents. The aims of this project are to assess the trends of blood pressure levels in children during the period of obesity epidemic, and to estimate the effects of obesity and other factors on the trends of blood pressure levels. In this repeated cross-sectional study, we will analyse the data of six surveys collected over a period of 25 years with over 1.4 million participants.Read moreRead less
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Cognitive Decline - A Longitudinal Study Of Effects And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,317,589.00
Summary
Diabetes mellitus and dementia are major public health problems. Diabetes may increase the risk of dementia. This longitudinal study aims to uncover the mechanism by which diabetes may increase dementia risk. This may lead to finding new ways to prevent or treat diabetes-related dementia and thus reduce the public health burden of dementia.
My work focuses on the prevention of vascular disease. A major aim of mine is to improve outcome after stroke. We can test this by assessing whether individualised management plans provided to people with stroke will improve risk factors. Proper risk factor management reduces the risk of stroke recurrence. I also aim to reduce the burden of vascular disease in disadvantaged settings by finding out what risk factors are important in the development of these diseases in people living in poverty.
Novel Retinal Architectural Vascular Signs And Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease: The AusDiab Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,254.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes are major health problems. Identifying 'people at risk' is critical to design preventative strategies. We have developed new computer software to measure detailed characteristics of retinal vessels. By appling this system to predict CVD or diabetes in the AusDiab Study we aim to find 'the best combination of risk factors' to predict CVD and diabetes. This will open up the possibility of new risk assessment using a simple 'eye scan.'
A Case Control Study Of Hypertension In The Setting Of Poverty, Overcrowding And Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,331.00
Summary
It is unclear why chronic diseases are emerging in regions of significant disadvantage, i.e. where people are not overweight, are physically active and relatively young. We aim to identify factors responsible for the development of high blood pressure in a region where there is overcrowding, poverty, and infection. Low cost strategies to modify risk and educate the community can then be developed to prevent the emergence of these diseases.
Harnessing Multiple Large Datasets To Answer Critical Questions On Diabetes Epidemiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
This proposal will examine novel causes and consequences of diabetes using three approaches. Firstly, it will examine diabetes trends. Secondly, it will use the Australian Diabetes Registry linked to several key government database to explore important research questions, related to diabetes treatment, dementia and endstage kidney disease, which previously were not able to be answered. Thirdly, it will examine the role of environmental pollutants in the development of chronic disease.