Extending your HealthSpan: the impacts of weight loss drugs and exercise

This UWA HealthSpan Institute event convenes a panel of global experts to discuss topics related to weight loss and chronic disease prevention in humans.

Increased lifespan is one of the great achievements of the past century, but HealthSpan is not keeping pace. Between 1990 and 2020 the number of years lost to living with ill-health increased by 30%. This has economic implications for healthcare costs, constriction of working age, and reduced labour input of family caregivers. 

HealthSpan focusses on prolonging health and well-being, rather that reacting to disease manifestation to prevent death. It can be defined as the number of healthy, autonomous, productive and fulfilling years of life free of debilitating disease.

A world first study at UWA has been investigating the effects of a once weekly incretin-based therapy and resistance exercise training (the T-REX study*), on body composition, muscle mass, strength and functional capacity, combined with cardiovascular and metabolic health measures.

**An investigator initiated trial (IIT) conducted at UWA with drug supplied by Eli Lilly.

EVENT PROGRAM

Opening: Professor Anna Nowak, Deputy Vice Chancellor UWA

Winthrop Professor Daniel Green, UWA (Chair): Weight loss medications, exercise and body composition: Outcomes of the UWA-TREx (Tirzepatide and Resistance Exercise training) study.

Professor Keith George (Liverpool John Moores University, UK): Weight reduction medications, exercise and heart structure, function and health in humans.

Professor Helen Jones (Liverpool John Moores University, UK): ): Weight-loss medicines and exercise: How do they impact artery function and health.

• Break/Questions (Professor Tim Cable, Manchester Met University)

Professor Stu Phillips (McMaster University, Canada): Don’t Lose It: How Exercise Protects Muscle on Weight Loss Drugs (10min)

Professor John Hawley (Australian Catholic University, Melbourne): Fuel the Burn: Boosting Muscle Metabolism on Weight Loss Drugs.

Professor Rob Daly (Deakin University, Melbourne): Keeping bones strong through exercise and diet during anti-obesity treatment.

• Break/Questions (Professor Tim Cable, Manchester Met University)

Professor Louise Burke (Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Melbourne): Weight reduction medications and dietary considerations: From obesity to athletes.

Professor Bu Yeap (UWA and Fiona Stanley Hospital): Pros and cons of the new medications that treat obesity.

Professor Tim Cable (Manchester Met University), Convener: Question Time

Healthspan adds life to your years, not just years to your life.

This event is presented by The University of Western Australia HealthSpan Institute, with support from Eli Lilly, HIF health insurance and the UWA Institute of Advanced Studies.