Our Research Activities
Following is a summary of the Centre's research focus.
Examples
- Effects of specific bioactive nutrients combined with regular
aerobic exercise on body composition, cardiovascular risk and mental
health
- Effects of a very-low carbohydrate weight reduction diet on physical
capacity, mood and cardiovascular disease risk
- Discrete choice analysis of factors that determine uptake of
lifestyle modifications involving diet and exercise in overweight/obese
subjects
- Effects of novel cereal based foods on cardiovascular and metabolic
health Calcium intake, lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular risk
- Effect of dietary fibre on metabolic syndrome risk factors in
overweight/obese men
- Energy expenditure and body composition: effects of atypical
antipsychotic medication
- Dietary control of blood glucose regulation and improvement in
weight and clinical symptoms in type 2 diabetics using high protein, low
GI, carbohydrate diets
Community-based intervention trials will validate and deliver a feasible
strategy suitable for implementation through community health centres.
A typical 3-year project in rural SA will comprise
- a 12 month diet and lifestyle intervention trial in obese, glucose
intolerant (pre-diabetic) adults with full evaluation of health outcomes
to confirm benefits
- a cost-effective means of subsequently propagating the intervention
program and maintaining lifestyle change in target communities.
Stage 1
Active participants will receive professional education to aid adoption
of a) Australian Dietary Guidelines (modified to include new functional
foods) b) aerobic and resistance exercise programs to attain metabolic
health goals. A Diabetes Prevention Program curriculum will be taught to
small groups on a flexible and culturally sensitive basis over 16 weeks then
reinforced monthly. we will identify barriers to lifestyle change and assess
ethnic influences.
Stage 2
Based on outcomes, an implementation strategy will be developed and
evaluated for peer-education in selected community/ethnic groups. It will be
designed to maximise continuing participation through motivational support.
