We are committed to sharing our knowledge and discoveries with communities
We have:
- Conducted one of the first controlled studies, internationally, to show that community-based approaches are successful in reducing childhood obesity
- Established there is potential to reduce diabetes in a high risk Māori community
- Demonstrated that lifestyle intervention offers additional benefits even when current diabetic drug treatments have been optimised
- Shown that a range of dietary approaches are effective in treating and preventing type 2 diabetes
- EDOR research
- VIDEO: The Obesity Epidemic (14 mins mp4)
- EDOR poster
Population and public health
Our work looking at NZ's population and specific sectors of the community helps influence evidence-based health policies.
Ngati and Healthy: Prevent diabetes project
We also encourage dissemination of our findings through research symposia, meetings, media and health advocacy networks.
TV3 Re-Think, 13 Dec 2016 - Dr Lisa Te Morenga discusses healthy lifestyle choices (Season 2 Episode 36; 25mins)
Where does responsibility lie?
The Centre has held a series of symposia looking at where responsibility lies in addressing obesity and diabetes from a public health perspective:
- From Evidence to Everyday: translating nutrition research for a healthy Aotearoa (2019)
- The Diabesity Crisis: How can we make a difference? (2017)
- NZ's Waistline - what will it take to fix it? (2013)
- Who is responsible for NZ's waistline? (2011)
- Who cares about NZ's waistline? (2010)
We also provide expertise and support to a number of organisations working in the diabetes and obesity sector.
Family and community
Our work has included family and community-wide initiatives to minimise risk of obesity and diabetes.
VIDEO: The Obesity Epidemic. (14 mins mp4) Watch our video and see if there are some ideas you can use to make your community a healthier environment.
Read about our research:
- APPLE: A pilot programme for lifestyle and exercise
- BLISS: Baby-led introduction to solids
- FLAME: Family, Lifestyle, Activity, Movement and Eating
- MInT: Motivational interviewing in treatment
- Play study
- POI: Prevention of overweight in infancy
Personal health
Our research incorporates management and care aspects of diabetes and obesity. Some of our studies about personal health include:
- HEAT: Healthy eating and training
- LOADD: Lifestyle over and above drugs in diabetes
- Optimal diet composition for the prevention of diabetes
- Otago Diabetes Project
- SWIFT: Support strategies for whole-food diets, intermittent fasting and training
Community action
EDOR Director Professor Rachael Taylor features in the Alumni webinar series "March with Otago". Move, eat, sleep repeat: The impact on health and wellbeing in children.
Transforming Lives: 100 years of insulin was a public symposium held on 24 November 2022. Watch the presentations from this centenary event, recorded in Parliament's Grand Hall.
Highlighting the importance of sleep for our health: EDOR hosted a public presentation by sleep expert Professor Alister Neill, on World Sleep Day 2022.
From Evidence to Everyday: translating nutrition research for a healthy Aotearoa, was held in Wellington on 20 Sept, 2019. Watch the presentations or listen to the Cost of Food panel discussion, chaired by Kim Hill.
The Focus on Fibre and Food Monitoring Symposium, featuring international dietary fibre expert Professor John Cummings, was held at the Otago Museum, Dunedin, on 11-12 February, 2019. 
The global effort to tackle obesity and diabetes public lecture
The Hon Dr David Clark opened this EDOR event, held at the Dunedin public art gallery on Friday 23 February, 2018.
School students raise funds for diabetes research
An extraordinary feat by three senior students at John McGlashan College will benefit research into type 1 diabetes.
Wilbur:The King in the Ring
Lisa Te Morenga and Andrew Reynolds talk about obesity in this documentary that follows an ex-pro wrestler's journey with bariatric surgery.
The 'cost' of sugar forum
Panel members Kim Hill, Jim Mann, Jacqueline Rowarth and Tony Blakely talk sugar in this lively public forum, recorded by Radio New Zealand, March 2017.
TV3 Re-Think on diet and health
Dr Lisa Te Morenga talks about healthy lifestyle choices in the context of our research findings. (Season 2 Episode 36, 13 Dec 2016; 25mins)
Diabetes NZ Roadshow 2015
EDOR members support the Dunedin DNZ roadshow event.
Is Type 2 Diabetes preventable, curable or both?
Professor Mike Lean tells us how. A podcast of his March 2015 public lecture is now available.
World Diabetes Day 14 November 2014
See what we got up to at the Golden Centre Mall and check out our useful handouts.
Rethinking the use of evidence to guide obesity prevention in high-risk ethnic groups
Professor Shiriki Kumanyika lectured in Dunedin on 9 October.
Professor Boyd Swinburn gives a public lecture to celebrate a decade of research at EDOR
The slides from Professor Swinburn's lecture are now available.
Tips to reduce sugar
Jim Mann's shopping and cooking advice about how to reduce our sugar intake.
How should we label our food?
A report on the public lecture by Dr Mike Rayner, University of Oxford.
Sugary-Drink-Free Pacific by 2030?
Conference presentations are now available, and discussion continues, following the meeting held 19-20 February 2014, Auckland.
Rural communities take the test
Dietitian Kiri Sharp measures blood glucose at an east Otago event.
Researchers walk the talk
Let them eat cake!
Keely McGlynn serves special guests at her cafe, Coffee Dot, which promotes healthy portions of food.
