There's no way of being polite about it. Too many Australians are fat. In fact the number of obese Australians has doubled in the last 10 years and this means an increase in the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Eating too much is an important factor in weight gain, but what you eat, is just as important. High protein diets have become popular but they've never been tested scientifically to measure the effects on weight and health. So Australia's science agency, CSIRO decided to conduct some trials.

These volunteers, who also have high insulin levels, making them more prone to health risks, are given diets some high protein and others with lesser amounts of protein.

"They're given a fixed fairly rigid menu over 12 weeks period to loose weight so we're expecting them to lose 8 to 10 kilos, maybe 12 kilos in that period of time."

Their blood pressure, cardio vascular response and energy consumption level are measured, to determine how quickly their bodies are metabolising the food. A high protein diet, such as meat, cheese and milk, tends to make you feel fuller than rice or pasta.

"You certainly feel fuller with high protein food so it means you generally eat less. But especially when you're trying to lose weight it actually helps you not feel so hungry."

Scientists want to know what effect eating more protein instead of carbohydrate or fat will have on weight gain. Also what changes there are in insulin sensitivity.

It's an unpalatable thought, but Australians are stacking on a collective 6 thousand tonnes of lard a year. This CSIRO study may help reduce the fat and with it major health problems

CSIRO Enquiries
Email: Enquiries@csiro.au
Phone: 1300 363 400
Locked Bag 10
Clayton South
VIC 3169