Lay summary
Obesity is a growing global health concern, and obesity/obesity-related health conditions (such as cardiovascular disease/type 2 diabetes) decrease quality of life, and increase mortality. Current estimates are that 1/3 of adult New Zealanders are obese, with a further 1/3 overweight. Current efforts to decrease rates of obesity are not working, as the proportion of people classed as obese continues to rise. There is an urgent need for effective therapeutics that can help decrease and/or control body weight. We have data showing that inhibiting insulin signalling in obese mice results in significant weight loss, occurring largely through the loss of body fat. However, this is associated with an increase in blood sugar levels. With this research, I am interested in understanding how this weight loss is occurring, and whether we can manage the associated hyperglycaemia. This could uncover new targets and/or strategies for more effective weight management therapies.