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Obesity In The Elderly: Impact Of Weight Loss Therapy On Physiology And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,213.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, weight-loss efficacy, change in lean body mass and impact of cognition of three approaches to treat obesity in the elderly. We will compare dietary advice, an energy reduced diet and a very low calorie diet. All three groups will also have an exercise program. This study will be of major assistance in developing management guidelines for obesity in the elderly, which will likely be an emerging public health issue.
Improving Weight Loss By Intermittent Use Of Very Low Energy Diet: The TANGO Diet Trial (Temporary Phases Of Accelerated Weight Loss For Noticeably Greater Outcomes)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,736.00
Summary
Very low energy diet (VLED) is being increasingly used for the treatment of obesity, but the resultant weight loss is usually transient, partly because it induces powerful adaptive responses that inhibit weight loss and promote regain. We have shown that 'taking a break from dieting' for 2 weeks reduces these adaptive responses. In this project we will thus test whether weight loss outcomes with VLED can be improved via intermittent use, where periods on the VLED are alternated with 'breaks'.
The Alternate Day Fasting Diet In Adolescents With Obesity: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,007,545.00
Summary
One in four Australian adolescents is overweight or obese. While short-term weight loss is possible, keeping the weight off long term is difficult. We will test whether the alternate day fasting diet is effective, safe and acceptable to adolescents. We will undertake a trial involving adolescents aged 13-17 years who are affected by obesity: they will be randomised to receive either the alternate day fasting diet, or a standard weight control diet.
Identification Of Microbiome Control Of Weight Loss During Dietary Intervention In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,667.00
Summary
We will develop diagnostic tests that enable prediction of the optimal weight loss diet for patients. Obesity is a growing problem in Australia and weight loss is of proven health benefit. Dieting is capable of delivering useful weight loss but long term success rates are poor. The variable success rates are linked to differences in gut microbiota. Diagnostic tests based on the gut microbiota in stool samples will allow identification of the optimal weight loss diet for individuals.
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
Dissecting The Host X Diet X Microbiota Interactions Supporting Sustainable Weight Loss In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,305.00
Summary
There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiome plays an important part in predisposing to obesity. This project seeks to identify whether such an obesogenic microbiota may also influence our ability to maintain weight loss after a period of caloric restriction. Further, we investigate whether dietary fibre can be used to reshape gut microbial population structure and function so as to support sustained weight loss on return to a normal dietary regimen using an obesogenic rat model.
Optimising Benefits And Minimising Potential Harms Of Obesity Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
This work aims to find safe and more effective obesity treatments for the over 2.1 billion people worldwide with overweight or obesity. Severely energy restricted diets are currently the most effective dietary obesity treatment, but these are underutilized due to concerns about potential harms. This work will investigate using severe diets intermittently rather than continuously, as a means of enhancing their benefits of long-term weight/fat loss while also reducing potential harmful effects.
High Protein, Low Glycemic Load Weight Loss Diets In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$906,928.00
Summary
High protein, low glycemic load weight loss diets have the potential to be of value in long term weight control but there is little long term data available. There is also some uncertainty about the long term safety of high protein diets and this needs clarification in long term trials. As compliance to the diet is the major issue in long term trials we will explore new ways of getting people to stay in long term studies and maintain a calorie reduced diet.
It is clear that the rate of obesity is increasing dramatically. Better therapeutic strategies are required to treat this debilitating disease. In this study we will determine the effects of sugary drinks on the amount of food eaten and subsequent changes in weight gain. By understanding how sugary drinks affect rates of weight gain we will be able to formulate better strategies to combat obesity.
Prevention And Management Of Overweight In Young Adults In The Primary Care Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,074.00
Summary
Generation Y is more likely to become overweight and obese than previous generations, increasing costs to the Australian health care system. Government and health experts agree on the need to prevent weight gain, particularly in high risk groups. Electronic intervention has proven to prevent weight gain in young adults in the short term. The proposed research will test a state-of-the-art electronic intervention, tailored to individual readiness to change, over the long-term to evaluate sustainab ....Generation Y is more likely to become overweight and obese than previous generations, increasing costs to the Australian health care system. Government and health experts agree on the need to prevent weight gain, particularly in high risk groups. Electronic intervention has proven to prevent weight gain in young adults in the short term. The proposed research will test a state-of-the-art electronic intervention, tailored to individual readiness to change, over the long-term to evaluate sustainability.Read moreRead less