The Role Of Microbiome Activity In Diet-disease Relationships: Anthocyanins, Flavanols And Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,252.00
Summary
By clarifying the role that intestinal bacteria play in the blood pressure lowering effect of anthocyanins and flavanols, this project will unravel potential ways that we can use bacteria to improve the effectiveness of dietary interventions for the prevention of high blood pressure, and ultimately, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Informing Childhood Obesity Prevention: Describing Dietary Correlates Of Rapid Growth, Overweight And Obesity Across The First Five Years Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This research aims to explore the dietary correlates of rapid growth and adiposity in the first five years of life. Obesity prevention during infancy has not been widely targeted and limited studies have examined the relationship of early diet, rapid growth and later obesity. By using an epidemiological approach, the findings of this research will inform obesity prevention policy and future revisions of infant and childhood feeding guidelines in Australia.
Metabolically Healthy Obesity: An Investigation Of Its Predictors And Outcomes Across The Lifecourse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,031.00
Summary
Obesity is a major health problem with 30% of Australian adults being obese. Despite attention on the health impact of obesity and programs to reduce weight, maintaining weight loss is difficult. However, not all obese individuals are at higher risk of disease. This research will examine the behavioural and genetic factors of these individuals and their risk of disease. The findings may inform new treatments for obesity that focus less on weight loss and more on health.
Dietary Patterns, Cognitive Performance And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Australia, The United States And Luxembourg: An International Comparison And Dietary Intervention Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,227.00
Summary
Ageing and the growing obesity epidemic are two contributing factors to cognitive decline. This research will identify dietary patterns that are associated with better cognitive function using data from individuals in Australia, the United States and Europe, and be used to guide dietary strategies to prevent or slow cognitive decline in at-risk individuals. Delaying or preventing the onset of dementia will save the Australian health care system billions of dollars.
The Role Of Gastric Vagal Afferents In The Food Intake Reducing Effect Of Oestradiol
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,739.00
Summary
Regulation of food intake is paramount for maintaining health. Nerves from the stomach serve as important regulators of food intake. These nerves can be modulated by chemical substances; however the importance of this modulation is not well defined. The sex steroid, oestradiol, has potent food intake reducing effects, but the mechanism for this is poorly understood. Thus, this fellowship will examine the role that oestradiol has in regulating food intake by acting on nerves within the stomach.
Transforming Mealtime Insulin Dosing Using An Innovative New Bolusing Calculator To Optimise Glycaemic Control In Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
People with type 1 diabetes require life-long insulin injections to maintain their blood glucose levels in the optimal range. Mealtime dose estimations based solely on carbohydrate have limited efficacy as they fail to take fat and protein into account. The aim of this project is to develop an evidence-based insulin bolusing calculator integrated into a smartphone app to enhance blood glucose control and reduce the daily burden of disease and the risk of life-threatening complications.
I am a physiologist focused on the role of dietary protein on excess weight gain. In the proposed study, I will examine energy balance in lean and overweight individuals in response to a 4-day covertly manipulated 10, 15 or 25% protein diet. We will measure effects on hunger using subjective ratings and hormone levels and the affects on energy expenditure including resting metabolic rate, the energy it takes to digest food and physical activity levels.
Developing Innovative, Effective And Evidence-based Dietary Interventions For Prevention And Treatment Of Child Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,650.00
Summary
Obesity rates for Australian children continue to rise. Reversing this trend remains a key challenge in establishing a strong foundation early in childhood for a long and healthy life. How to help children and families balance food intake with activity levels in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight remains unclear. This research program aims to inform best practice about which food patterns and dietary advice are more best in helping families eat well and reverse the obesity epidemic.