The predictors of type 2 diabetes in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort study [ 2000 - 2002 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Allison Hodge (Principal investigator)

Brief description In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of type 2 diabetes (also known as adult onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes). To do this we recruited 41,500 Melbournians aged 40 to 69 years, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that men and women, and migrants from Italy and Greece would be included. In this way we could widen the range of dietary habits and other lifestyle indicators. Since then participants have completed another questionnaire and occurrences of disease have been noted from self-reports and from examining medical records. We want to analyse data from the 700 people in the study who have developed type 2 diabetes. First we will analyse data collected on all 41,500 (on joining the study, and at follow up). Next we will use data from the 700 people with diabetes and 1400 of similar age and sex who have not developed diabetes. This study will focus on measuring substances in the blood. We want to measure a range of fats, vitamins, antioxidants, a marker of the health of blood vessels, as well as sex hormones and related substances. We will then be able to estimate what affect these factors have on the risk of getting diabetes. We will also be able to see if any of them act together to make the risk of diabetes much higher in certain men and women. This work should identify what changes in lifestyle, especially diet, could reduce the risk of diabetes, and help us understand why this is so. This is important because every year more and more people are developing diabetes.

Funding Amount $AUD 318,136.51

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant