Nutritional determinants of non-communicable diseases
July 2018 – June 2022

Photo: Chris Sullivan
Almost 90% of death and disability in New Zealand is attributed to non-communicable diseases, and much of this is preventable. Poor diet is the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for nearly 20% of deaths in 2017. Many of the other common causes of death are related to poor diet, such as high blood pressure, high plasma glucose, body mass index, and high cholesterol.
This project examines aspects of nutrition and nutrition policies that can prevent the onset of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Research will focus on improving our understanding of healthy foods. Knowledge exchange with policy-makers, key stakeholders and the public will examine the factors that influence our diet at a population scale, the need for national nutrition monitoring, and guidance about healthy diets.
Nutritional determinants of non-communicable diseases
Principal investigators:
- Professor Jim Mann, University of Otago
- Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, University of Auckland
- Dr Andrew Reynolds, University of Otago
Publications
Puka rangahau
- Gelatinisation and milling whole-wheat increases postprandial blood glucose: randomised crossover study of adults with type 2 diabetes Diabetologia (2021)
- Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol, Nature, 582, pages73–77 (2020)
- Whole-Grain Processing and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Trial Diabetes Care (2020); dc200263
- Dietary fibre and whole grains in diabetes management: Systematic review and meta-analyses PLOS Medicine (2020); 17(3):e1003053
- Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses The Lancet (2019)
- Effects of dietary fat on gut microbiota and faecal metabolites, and their relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors: a 6-month randomised controlled-feeding trial Gut (2019)
- Dietary guidelines on trial: the charges are not evidence based The Lancet (2016)
National guidelines
Professor Jim Mann has chaired Technical Advisory Groups for:
- Clinical Guidelines for Weight Management of New Zealand Adults Ministry of Health (2017)
- Clinical Guidelines for Weight Management of New Zealand New Zealand Children and Young People Ministry of Health (2016)
- Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults Ministry of Health (2015)
Conferences and symposia
- Focus on Fibre and Food monitoring February 2019
- Tackling diet-related disease in New Zealand September 2018
- The Diabesity Crisis April 2017
- The ‘cost’ of sugar March 2017
- Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi October 2016
Related news
- High fibre foods that are minimally processed benefit health June 2020
- New diet research reveals dangers of processed food Radio NZ, May 2020 (9m 55s)
- Higher fibre saves lives, but food processing may remove benefits University of Otago, May 2020
- Fibre has huge benefits, and we’re not getting enough of it ABC.net.au (6m55s, transcript available)
- Fibre has even bigger benefits for us than we thought, and we’re not getting enough of it ABC.net.au
- Call for updated national survey to see what New Zealanders are eating February 2019
- Eating more fibre and whole grains contributes to lower rates of non-communicable diseases and reduced mortality January 2019
- Researchers call on Government to take lead in tackling diet-related disease September 2018
- Health Star Ratings influence manufacturers August 2017
- Nutrition advice brought into focus June 2017
- Sugar, sugar, everywhere? March 2017
- Crunching the numbers on healthy food incentives February 2017
- Project Activate—the movie! February 2017
- Can we breed healthier meat? December 2019
- Conflicting food advice—what to look out for September 2016
- Healthier Lives experts defend dietary guidelines August 2016
- The low down on fat consumption May 2016
- Researchers endorse new food and nutrition guidelines November 2015