Join a Nutrition Research: Weight Loss for Diabetes Prevention
The Human Nutrition Unit (Mt Eden) at the University of Auckland is inviting people at risk of diabetes to participate in a 6-month Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Study. We are currently recruiting for May 2023 intake.
You will be required to:
• Attend 7 study visits at the Human Nutrition Unit, in Mt Eden
• Follow the low-energy, Cambridge weight-loss diet for 8 weeks
• Complete a 4-month weight maintenance programme
• Consume feijoa whole fruit powder or placebo-matched powder every day for 6 months
What you will receive?
• 2 months’ worth of meal replacements at no cost
• 9 extensive dietary advice sessions with a Registered Dietitian
• Get free body composition scans to understand your body fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral density
• Get to try a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to know what meals raise your blood glucose more than others
• Get to know how many calories your body burns when at rest using an indirect calorimetry
• Your time will be compensated with travel vouchers
Who can participate?
• Have elevated blood glucose but are not diabetic (we can check this for you)
• Are of Māori, Pacific Island, Asian Indian, Asian Chinese or NZ European/Caucasian descent
• Are between 18-70 years
• Have a BMI 26-40 kg/m2
• Are happy to participate in a 6-month weight loss study
• Are happy to consume feijoa whole fruit powder or matched placebo powder every day for eight months
• Are happy for us to provide blood, urine and faecal samples
• Are happy to complete 7 Study Visits to the Human Nutrition Unit
If you would like to learn more about this study, sign up to receive a copy of Participant Information Sheet in your email:
redcap.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz...
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
The Influence of the Whānau - Day 9
In a small Māori pā (village) nestled beside a flowing river, a young boy named Rangi lived with his whānau. Rangi was curious and adventurous, always exploring the ngahere (forest) and listening to the stories of his kaumātua (elders). The kaumātua would often remind him, “He waka eke noa”—we are all in this together, and our actions affect the collective.
Rangi's best friend, Manu, was a clever boy but sometimes made poor choices. Manu had recently begun spending time with a group of older boys from another pā who were known for their reckless behavior. They would waste kai (food), leave rubbish in the ngahere, and even disturb the sacred awa (river) by throwing stones at eels.
One day, Manu invited Rangi to join the group, saying, “Come on, Rangi! They’re fun, and they won’t hurt anyone. We’re just having a good time!” Unsure, Rangi agreed, feeling pressure to fit in.
The group’s leader, Matiu, proposed a game: they would sneak into the kaumātua's kumara patch at night and take some for a "feast." Rangi hesitated. He remembered the kaumātua saying how much work went into growing the kumara, with karakia (prayers) and care for the soil. But he stayed silent, feeling outnumbered.
That night, the group raided the garden. As they laughed and ate the stolen kumara by the fire, Rangi felt uneasy. He realized that this was not who he wanted to be. When he saw Manu’s joy in impressing Matiu, Rangi felt torn but remained quiet.
The next morning, the kaumātua discovered the missing kumara and the trampled garden. They called the entire pā together, expressing sadness, not anger. “Our ancestors teach us that the whenua (land) provides for all of us, but only if we treat it with respect,” said one elder. “When we harm the whenua, we harm ourselves.”
Rangi’s heart sank. That evening, he confessed to the kaumātua and his whānau, explaining everything. To his surprise, they did not scold him harshly. Instead, they said, “He tangata tītoki, he tangata rākau—a person is like a tree; they grow straight when supported by others. You must choose companions who uphold the values of your whānau and whenua.”
Rangi decided to distance himself from Manu’s new group and instead spent time with those who respected the land and upheld the teachings of their ancestors. Over time, he encouraged Manu to rejoin him, and together they worked to rebuild the kumara patch, learning from the kaumātua.
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Moral
This story highlights the importance of right company and like-mindedness. It shows that no one is inherently bad, but the influence of others and the situations we choose can lead us astray. Surrounding ourselves with those who uphold values like respect, care, and collective well-being ensures a life of balance and harmony.
Ka mua, ka muri — by learning from the past, we can walk into the future.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.8% Second half of November
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43.7% 1st December
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17.6% A week before Christmas
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32.8% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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