Breakthrough academic paper recognised

An academic paper co-authored by Massey University Professor of Human Nutrition Bernhard Breier has been named the most cited paper of the last 10 years in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism.

http://www.physiology.org/site/125anniversary/ajpendo.xhtml

The paper, Fetal origins of hyperphagia, obesity, and hypertension and postnatal amplification by hypercaloric nutrition, was published in 2000 when Professor Breier was with the Liggins Institute.

http://ajpendo.physiology.org/content/279/1/E83.full.pdf+html

Professor Breier, from the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health at the Albany campus, was the senior lead investigator. “The world-leading health research was generated by an excellent team of scientists and supported the training of first-class postgraduate students,” he says.

“This paper was the first to demonstrate the importance of interactions between nutrition before and after birth and showed the critical role of eating behaviour and appetite control in long-term health and wellbeing.”

The American Physiological Society acknowledged the paper in its 125th Anniversary Collection. It is a landmark paper in the field with over 500 citations. The American Journal of Physiology is the top United States journal for original basic research in physiology.

Professor Breier continues research into nutrition for health at Massey University; his work integrates novel inquiries of taste perception with work on appetite regulation and metabolism to optimise health and wellbeing.

“This research is important for improving cardiovascular health and healthy cognitive function, especially as we get older”, he says. “Our strategies bring together world-class researchers in a vibrant environment that spawns novel discoveries and excellent postgraduate training.”

Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health head Professor Richard Archer says Professor Breier is a key component of the multidisciplinary institute that will form the heart of Massey University’s new College of Health. “The college will combine researchers in food innovation with physiologists such as Professor Breier, and nutritionists, dietitians and other researchers,” he says. “Gaining traction in the complex world of diet and health in the social setting demands high levels of collaboration such as we strive for here.”