CPRC research investigates behavioural risk factors for major cancers and other chronic health conditions: these behavioural risk factors include too little exercise (lack of physical activity), too much sitting (prolonged sedentary behaviour) and changing unhealthy eating patterns.
Our research includes:
- Identifying the behaviours that need to be changed (for example, prolonged television viewing time or large amounts of sitting at work) by examining relationships with biomarkers of chronic-disease risk - such as overweight and elevated blood glucose and cholesterol levels
- Improving the measurement of these behaviours (using, for example, activity monitors and movement sensors)
- Developing and trialling innovative ways to change behavioural risk factors in the general adult population and in high-risk groups such as cancer survivors, by testing intervention media that have the potential for mass-reach application (telephone/SMS and Internet)
Through all of these studies, we aim to understand how to support people to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes in the long term.
Much of our research involves collaborative studies with interstate and international colleagues, many of whom are also concerned with the prevention of heart disease and diabetes.
Our program is supported by Project, Partnership and Centre of Research Excellence grant funds and Research Fellowships from the National Health and Medical Resarch Council (NHMRC), the Heart Foundation (NHF) and National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).