About ​Obesity: from epidemiology to policy

Speakers

Chronic Disease & Healthy Lifestyles research theme group, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland

Almost two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese, with this prevalence steadily increasing over the last 20-30 years. Understanding and identifying key strategies and programs to prevent and manage obesity remains a challenge. This month saw the first World Obesity Day on the 11th October. One of the objectives of World Obesity Day is to increase public and policymaker understanding of the challenge of obesity and what can be done to tackle it.

This lunchtime seminar will showcase some of the influential obesity-related research being conducted by SPH researchers within the Chronic Disease & Healthy Lifestyles research theme group. Speakers will also summarise key highlights from this week’s Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Meeting.

Nirmala Pandeya

Dr Pandeya will provide an overview of key research she has conducted on the contribution of obesity to cancer both internationally and nationally.

Brianna Fjeldsoe

Dr Fjeldsoe will highlight findings from the Get Healthy Stay Healthy program which evaluated an SMS-delivered program for maintaining weight loss and behaviour changes and how the success of this program is now being taken up by NSW Ministry of Health.

Lennert Veerman

Dr Veerman will discuss potential policies for obesity prevention including the controversial sugar-sweetened beverage tax.

Venue

Room 015, Public Health Building, Herston