An international three-year study to determine the best lifestyle strategies for weight loss and diabetes prevention is about to begin in Auckland, and researchers from The University of Auckland are seeking local people to take part.
Participants who come into the study will be overweight, and can expect to lose a significant amount of that weight and avoid developing diabetes, as well as learning a new way of eating and exercising which they may choose to maintain for the rest of their lives.
The study will compare two nutritional programmes known to be very effective in helping people lose weight and avoid diabetes, and which are comparatively simple to follow. Participants will also be asked to follow one of two physical activity plans, so that the combined effects of diet and exercise can be tracked.
The aim is to use the results to develop a set of guidelines to tackle obesity and diabetes in adults - health problems that are of major concern around the world.
The World Health Organisation considers obesity to be an epidemic, and almost 30 percent of New Zealand men and women are classified as obese. Being obese or overweight is a major risk factor for diabetes, a metabolic disease that affects 347 million people worldwide and is diagnosed in 50 more New Zealanders every day.