Understanding And Promoting Physical Activity Amongst Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,601.00
Summary
Physical activity (PA) confers significant protection against heart disease and other chronic conditions, but women and those of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are at increased risk of physical inactivity. In order to inform the development of PA promotion strategies, it is important to determine why some women of low SEP are physically active despite their adversity. This research aims to understand influences on PA, and how and where to best intervene to promote PA, among women of low SEP.
Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms And Diabetes Mellitus: Risk Factors And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,527.00
Summary
Why many people with diabetes mellitus are afflicted by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms remains uncertain. Irreversible damage to the nerves controlling the gut (autonomic neuropathy) is often considered to be important. An alternative cause of increased GI symptomatology in diabetics is poor glucose control. Some studies have shown that acute shifts in glucose levels induce changes in the gut relevant to the onset of GI symptoms. For example, high glucose levels acutely cause slower stomach empt ....Why many people with diabetes mellitus are afflicted by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms remains uncertain. Irreversible damage to the nerves controlling the gut (autonomic neuropathy) is often considered to be important. An alternative cause of increased GI symptomatology in diabetics is poor glucose control. Some studies have shown that acute shifts in glucose levels induce changes in the gut relevant to the onset of GI symptoms. For example, high glucose levels acutely cause slower stomach emptying times, leading to feelings of fullness. Though the effects of chronic glucose levels are yet to be properly explored, population data show that poor control in the long-term is related to an increase in symptoms. The aim of this prospective study is to determine the roles played by both autonomic neuropathy and glucose control in the development of GI symptoms among diabetics. All past research has been cross-sectional, and so cannot tell us if one or both of these factors cause GI problems in diabetes. For example, it is possible that autonomic neuropathy causes an increase in GI symptoms such as nausea and fullness, which in turn induces poor glucose control though lack of appetite or inadequate stomach emptying. Upon study inclusion, all study participants will undergo a series of autonomic tests. At 3 month intervals for a period of 30 months, they will be asked to complete a 2-week diary card detailing their GI symptoms and glucose readings, and also supply blood and urine samples for analysis twice each year. Two years from the study outset, participants will again complete the autonomic test series. Psychiatric co-morbidity will be investigated using the Composite Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto) at the autonomic testing time points. The study will be undertaken at the Gastroenterology Research Unit at Nepean Hospital, in collaboration with the Royal Adelaide Hospital, centres with proven track records in diabetes investigation.Read moreRead less
I am an epidemiologist whose research is concerned with investigating the behavioural, social, structural and environmental determinants of obesity and its antecedent behaviours
I am a public health academic leading a multi-disciplinary research team and working with multi-sector partners, studying the impact of the BE on physical and mental health outcomes. My research helps build the evidence required to change policy and pract
Follow Up Of The 1985 Australian Schools Health And Fitness Survey Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,309,456.00
Summary
This study provides a unique opportunity to follow up a cohort of children on which an extensive range of physical and lifestyle measures were made in 1985. This study has the capacity to find out whether childhood lifestyle and physical measures are related to the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other common health problems in adulthood.
Contextual Influences On Children's And Adolescent's Physical Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,950.00
Summary
Physical inactivity has been linked to several chronic health conditions among children and adolescents. However, there has been no research that has examined the long-term physical activity habits of Australian children and how these habits change as children move into adolescence. In addition, there is only limited information regarding the factors that influence children's physical activity. This study aims to examine changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours, such as television v ....Physical inactivity has been linked to several chronic health conditions among children and adolescents. However, there has been no research that has examined the long-term physical activity habits of Australian children and how these habits change as children move into adolescence. In addition, there is only limited information regarding the factors that influence children's physical activity. This study aims to examine changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours, such as television viewing and computer use, that occur over three years, and also over five years, among children aged 5-6 years and 10-12 years in 2001 (baseline). As such, this study will provide information about children's physical activity habits through primary school and from late primary school to the end of secondary school. The study will also examine the influence of the family and neighbourhood environment on changes that occur in physical activity and sedentary behaviour over that time. This study is significant because it will provide information on the critical transition period between primary and secondary school. The study will identify when changes in these health behaviours occur, the extent of these changes, and the influence of factors in the family environment and the local neighbourhood on changes in these behaviours. Such information is vital to inform the development of strategies to promote and maintain health-enhancing physical activity levels and reduce sedentariness among children.Read moreRead less