Diabetes & Obesity

Diabetes prevalence is expected to rise by 40% in the next decade.

Factors influencing diabetes and obesity are complex, with multiple environmental, socioeconomic, genetic, and lifestyle determinants. Moreover, the cost to the Canadian healthcare system from these chronic illnesses is forecasted to rise from $3.4B in 2016 to $5B annually by 2026.

At UBC, there are over 80 researchers working on various aspects of obesity & diabetes using a variety of approaches, including basic, clinical, social, and population-level research. These researchers span both campuses and 8 Faculties, including Medicine, Education, Applied Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Science, Land and Food Systems, UBC-O Faculty of Health & Social Development and UBC-O Irving K. Barber School of Arts & Sciences.

Relevant Institutes and Centres

• Diabetes Research Group
• BC Diabetes Research Network
• The Centre for Obesity and Well-being Research Excellence (UBC-O)

News & Events

Cross-cutting researcher gathering—On September 11th, 2017, Helen Burt, AVP Research & Innovation, and Mike Coughtrie, Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, hosted a gathering of researchers working across Faculties in Diabetes, Obesity, Nutrition, & Physical Activity to identify and create opportunities for cross-cutting research collaboration. For more information on the research exchange or to ensure that you are added to this communications list for diabetes and obesity health research, e-mail Kyle Demes.