Each year the GCC helps fund vital clinical research into afflictions including
heart disease and diabetes. This study is carried out by the Heart Disease and Diabetes
Prevention Centre (HDDP).
HDDP is a coalition of some of the worlds' foremost independent scientific authorities
and leading nutritionists - experts on the links between diet, physical activity
and disease risk.
This coalition's mission is to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, with
a particular focus on highly skilled, time-poor corporate workers who are typically
most insulated from and immune to health messages.
In 2008/2009, the HDDP, in partnership with Monash University, is conducting world
first research on low-impact physical activity interventions in the workplace.
Medical Research
Recent medical research on GCC participants found that after completing the program,
there was a 32.8% decrease in women classified as having increased risk of Type
II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
By the end of the event, women had an average weight loss of 6kg / 13lbs and a reduction
in waist measurement of 8cm / 3in, whilst men averaged a weight loss of 5kg / 11lbs
and an average decrease in waist measurement of 5cm / 2in.
A staggering 95.3% of the men prior to the event had an increased risk of Type II
diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. After the completion of the GCC,
the percentage of men at risk had fallen by 23.3%.
Monash University Study
In 2008/2009 the Heart Disease and Diabetes Prevention Centre in conjunction with
Monash University's Faculty of Medicine will be undertaking a major study involving
participants in the GCC. The study aims to evaluate both the short term (before
and after the 2008 GCC event) and long term (12 month and 18 month follow-ups) effects
of incidental activity as measured by pedometer use, on risk factors for:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Weight
-
Nutritional status
- Mental health
While only still in the first stages of findings the study has uncovered some significant
results:
The Monash study for the first time shows that people in the GCC significantly reduced
their systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure
is the pressure of the blood vessels when the heart is pumping, and diastolic is
the pressure of the blood vessels when the heart is filling).
The Monash study for the first time shows that people in the GCC significantly reduced
their waist measurement by 1.6cm.
The Monash study for the first time shows that people in the GCC significantly reduced
their waist to hip ratio.
The participants in the Monash study had an average step count of 11,702 steps per
day for 125 days.
The Monash study shows people categorised as obese decreased by 2%.
More information will be available in the New Year.