The five institutions of the ATN - Curtin University of Technology; University of Technology, Sydney; Queensland University of Technology; RMIT University; and University of South Australia - have already demonstrated that we can work systematically together on initiatives that are leveraged from our strengths.
As a group we are well positioned within the sector - nationally networked, industry-focussed and collaborative and, importantly, we are recognised as such. We are marked by our flexibility, our ability to maximise collective expertise, our valuable links with industry, and our use of new and emerging technologies.
An increasingly competitive academic research environment calls for productive research concentrations based on effective collaboration between disciplines and across institutions.
Obesity and associated disorders represent the main health and socioeconomic burden facing Australians. A sustainable solution requires behavioural change to adopt healthier diets and physical activity. The ATN Centre for Metabolic fitness aims to develop, evaluate and assess the acceptability of preventative health measures - like diet and lifestyle - to counteract metabolic syndrome, and to trial their acceptance in whole communities.
While similar diet and lifestyle research initiatives do exist, a project of this scale is unprecedented. The Centre’s emphasis on behavioural research and improving mental health, including investigating the use of functional foods and motivational strategies to encourage sustainable behavioural change, is quite unique.
The ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness represents a long term commitment by our universities to deliver quality research outcomes in response to the National Research Priority of ‘Promoting and maintaining good health of Australians’.
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