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Holyrood's Annual Obesity Conference
Tackling obesity together
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Thursday 29th April 2010
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
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Conference chair:Keynote speakers:Also presenting:- Professor Jane Norman, Professor of Maternal and Fetal Health, The University of Edinburgh
- Paul Ballard, Deputy Director of Public Health, NHS Tayside
- Professor Iain Broom, Centre for Obesity Research and Epidemiology, Robert Gordon University and Professor of Metabolic Medicine, University of Aberdeen
- Jenny Gillespie, Child Obesity Practitioner, NHS Tayside
- Martin Paterson, Advisor to the UK Cross Government Obesity Team, author of 'Tackling Obesities: Future Choices' and former Deputy Director General of the Food and Drink Federation
- Graham Mackenzie, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian
- Cllr. George Redmond, Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, Glasgow City Council and Health & Wellbeing Executive Group Member, COSLA
- Dr. Drew Walker, Director of Public Health, NHS Tayside
- Zoe Hellman, Registered Dietitian, Weight Watchers UK
- Chloe Smith, Research Manager, Ipsos MORI
"Obesity is a huge threat to Scotland's future and we are committed to tackling this. No country in the world has successfully addressed obesity - and we want Scotland to be the first.”
Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, The Scottish Government, speaking at the launch of the 'Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland - A Route Map Towards Healthy Weight'
Obesity is one of the most serious global health challenges of the 21st century. By 2030, it is predicated that 4 in 10 Scottish adults will be obese. With its association with serious chronic conditions, the health impacts of obesity are significant for individuals reducing people’s overall quality of life and premature death..
With 60 per cent of the population expected to be severely overweight by 2050 there is no denying that obesity has become a major public health concern. The impact on health services and the wider economy are also a major concern. Obesity currently costs Scotland over 457 million pounds a year. It is estimated that this figure could reach over 3 billion pounds a year by 2030..
In February 2010, the Scottish Government launched a new strategy in conjunction with COSLA targeting obesity, poor diet and exercise. The Scottish Government will work with producers and retailers to limit high calorie food. They will also work with businesses and schools to promote health lifestyles. And, they will use planning legislation to create an environment for active living. Key to the intentions of the Scottish Government is a move away from the silo approach and to work to address obesity across all the areas that impact; from health, agriculture and social justice to the economy and sustainable development. The strategy focuses on the need for an approach which involves families, communities, schools, industry, central and local government and individuals. In addition, NHS Health Scotland's HEAT targets have developed a Child Healthy Weight initiative, aimed at identifying standards of physical activity and nutrition, as well as developing strategies for behaviour change and identification, and recruitment support.
This one-day conference will examine how the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle increasing obesity rates and the role of professionals across health, education, sport and beyond.
There will also be an opportunity to learn about effective programmes to tackle the issue from individual behaviour to large-scale social change, including the EPODE methodology, which was initiated and developed in France to tackle childhood obesity and is now in 206 cities and towns across Europe.
If you have any questions please email us or call 0131 272 2133.
We look forward to seeing you at this important and timely event. |
Conference development by: Jacqueline Cassidy
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Upcoming conferences
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September 2010 |
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October 2010 |
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