We sit at work. We sit at home. We sit in the car. We sit down to eat. We sit at in front of the tv. We sit at the movies. It is clear we spend a lot of our lives sitting. But, as plenty of new research seems to confirm, all this sitting is not be good for us.

One thing researchers have learnt is that prolonged sitting is associated with sustained higher blood glucose levels which, over time, can contribute to the development of a range of diabetes-related complications.

Diabetes Australia’s President, the Hon. Judi Moylan, was recently appointed to the new Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC).

The Council is an advisory body supporting the NHMRC’s critical national role in shaping and supporting research to address Australia’s current and future health challenge.

Heart disease is one of the leading health issues faced by people with diabetes. However, researchers believe that high density lipoproteins (HDL), sometimes referred to as good cholesterol, could help protect the heart.

Dr Joanne Tan from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute is looking at whether HDL can help with angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels.

Peripheral neuropathy, the damage to nerves in hands and feet, is one of the most common diabetes-related complications but one side-effect people may be unaware of is the fact that peripheral neuropathy makes it harder for people to maintain their balance. This can make them susceptible to falls.

Now Dr Anna Hatton, from the University of Queensland, is leading a study into whether a textured shoe insole could help improve people’s balance.

People living with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease but there are currently no specific treatments for people with diabetes-related heart disease.

This is a problem Dr Miles De Blasio from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is trying to solve and he thinks the answer may already be with us – in our hearts.

“People living with diabetes have reduced amounts of a protective protein called adiponectin,” Dr De Blasio says.

A new diabetes in schools education and training program will make it easier for teachers and staff to support children with type 1 diabetes, and give parents confidence that their children will be safe and supported at school.