Diabetes researcher wins grant

Congratulations to Dr Evelyn Parr from Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research who has been awarded a $59,990 grant from the Diabetes Australia Research Program for her time-restrained eating study with diabetic men and women.

Dr Parr is one of 21 Victorian diabetes researchers to share $1.26 million funding pool.

The six-month controlled trial will look at improving glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

It will build on her previous work that studied the effects providing meals in a time-restricted pattern had on daily glucose (blood sugar) and insulin concentrations.

Dr Parr, an exercise and nutrition expert, said this approach gave the body a long break from food each night and reinforced beneficial circadian rhythms.

“We think timing of eating and the length of fasting could be quite important especially for people who may be consuming unhealthy foods and not moving a lot,” she said.

Dr Parr said our natural body clock is affected by sleeping patterns, temperature, physical activity, diet and when we eat.

It is believed disruption to our body clocks - such as eating late - can be detrimental to health and contribute to diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Diabetes Australia chief executive Greg Johnson was delighted to support Dr Parr and other up and coming diabetes researchers.

“Diabetes researchers have a key role to play in helping Australia meet the challenges of the diabetes epidemic and Diabetes Australia is proud to be able to support their potentially life-changing research,” Professor Johnson said.