AHFMR News

Heritage researcher investigates ways to prevent type 2 diabetes

(Edmonton, AB) Tuesday September 12, 2006... What if you could reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 60 percent? Type 2 diabetes affects more than five percent of adults over 20 years old and more than 13 percent of seniors over the age of 64. Heritage researcher, Lorian Taylor, at the University of Alberta, is examining ways to reduce the number of people developing type 2 diabetes.

Lorian Taylor investigates people with "prediabetes" or impaired glucose tolerance which affects as many as 300,000 Albertans. Her research looks at the use of physical activity and lifestyle changes to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

What:		Media opportunity to interview Lorian Taylor, RD, MPH, & PhD candidate and Dr. Kim Raine (Director and Professor for the Centre for Health Promotion Studies)
When:		Tuesday September 12, 2006
Time:		10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon *
Where:		University of Alberta – Fitness and Lifestyle room Van Vliet Physical Education & Recreation Centre 115 St. & 87th Ave.

* Please call Dwayne Brunner, AHFMR Communications, at (780) 966-1518 to arrange an interview time.

Backgrounder

• Prevention of type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern. In Canada the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is approximately 5.1% among those over the age of 20, and 13% among those over the age of 64 years. Based upon the prevalence rate, the Canadian Diabetes Association has estimated the annual cost of diabetes in Canada at $9 billion USD.

• Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) and Impaired Fasting Glycaemia (IFG) are measures that suggest that glucose (sugar) is not being processed efficiently in the body – in a similar way to diabetes. IGT is described as having a blood glucose level that is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Research suggests that poor diet, being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle (too little physical activity) are all factors in IGT and IFG. It may be an early indication of insulin resistance – where insulin is being produced by the body but is not being used properly.

• Lorian's current research involves a qualitative study being conducted in the Capital Health Region that aims to determine the views of healthcare professionals with regards to the provision of effective behaviour change programs provided to people diagnosed with IGT. The objectives of this study are to:

  1. identify what health information is given to clients diagnosed with IGT,
  2. identify when the health information is given to clients diagnosed with IGT and
  3. identify the health professionals' perceptions of any barriers that may prevent clients diagnosed with IGT from achieving the recommendations given to them.

• Lorian is a registered dietitian, has a Master's Degree in Public Health and is completing her PhD studies under the supervision of Drs. Kim Raine, Ron Plotnikoff, John Spence, and Nick Holt. all from the University of Alberta. The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research funds in excess of 500 trainees at all levels, from Summer Students to Post Doctoral Fellowships around the province.

• The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) currently provides funding for over 600 researchers and researchers in training at the province's three main universities. AHFMR's commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training. Total AHFMR funding for more than a quarter of a century is in excess of $850 million. For more information, visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca.