A/Prof John Dixon

MBBS, PhD, FRACGP, DipRAGOG

Head of Obesity Research Unit, Deptartment of General Practice

Profile

Associate Professor John Dixon has a background in rural general practice prior to taking a research interest in obesity in 1997. He transferred from the Monash University Centre of Obesity Research and Education in 2007 and continues with research into this important area. He is also a senior clinical scientist with the Human Neurotransmitters Laboratory at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Known internationally for his research and education programs, Dr Dixon’s background in primary care has enabled a diverse examination of the problems and diseases related to severe obesity. In 2002 he completed a PhD, studying the effects of weight loss on the many obesity-related medical conditions found in those who are severely obese. He has championed a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of these important conditions. He has published widely and has over 120 peer reviewed journal articles, including the first randomized controlled trial of bariatric surgery for weight loss in diabetes published in JAMA in 2008.

Dr Dixon is the immediate past president of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society, an executive member of the Obesity Surgeons Society of Australia and New Zealand and is on both the scientific and program committees of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as a physician member. He is an associate editor of both Obesity Surgery and SOARD.

Recent publications

1. 2008: Dixon JB, Hayden MJ, Lambert GW, et al. Raised CRP Levels in Obese Patients: Symptoms of Depression Have an Independent Positive Association. Obesity (Silver Spring); 16:2010-5 IF 1.5.
2. 2008: Dixon JB, O'Brien PE, Playfair J, Chapman L, Schachter LM, Skinner S, Proietto J, Bailey M, Anderson M: Adjustable gastric banding and conventional therapy for type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 299:316-323, 25.5
3. 2007: Dixon JB, Dixon ME, Anderson ML, Schachter L, O'Brien P E. Daytime sleepiness in the obese: not as simple as obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity (Silver Spring). Oct; 15(10): 2504-2511. IF 1.6
4. 2007: Dixon JB, Strauss BJ, Laurie C, O'Brien PE. Smaller hip circumference is associated with dyslipidemia and the metabolic syndrome in obese women. Obes Surg. Jun; 17(6): 770-777. IF 2.9
5. 2007: Dixon JB, Strauss BJ, Laurie C, O'Brien P E. Changes in body composition with weight loss: obese subjects randomized to surgical and medical programs. Obesity (Silver Spring); 15:1187-98. IF 1.5
6. 2006: Dixon JB, Bhathal PS, O'Brien PE. Weight loss and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: falls in gamma-glutamyl transferase concentrations are associated with histologic improvement. Obes Surg. Oct; 16(10): 1278-1286. IF 2.9 
7. 2006: Dixon JB, O’Brien PE. Obesity and the white blood cell count: changes with sustained weight loss. Obesity Surgery; 16(3) 251-7 IF 2.9
8. 2005: Dixon JB, Dixon ME, O'Brien P E. Birth outcomes in obese women after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obstetrics and Gynecology; 106(5): 965-72. IF 4.