NEW YORK CITY, May 27 – The eyes of the world are finally focusing on the global obesity epidemic now that one billion adults and at least 155 million children are overweight. On Monday, May 31 and Tuesday, June 1, international health experts will gather at The New York Academy of Medicine to discuss the impact of obesity on public health, and the adequacy of health policy responses in the United States and United Kingdom to this pandemic. The symposium is co-sponsored by the Academy and the London-based Royal Society of Medicine, and media are invited to attend. It will be held at the Academy, 1216 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd St.).

Two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and in Britain, 47 percent of men and 33 percent of women are overweight. Poor diet, a lack of exercise and construction of suburban neighborhoods that foster automobile dependence are largely to blame. Diabetes, cancer and heart disease are among the life-threatening conditions that can be induced by obesity.

Several policy initiatives meant to fight obesity have been put forth in the past week, shining a spotlight on the serious health risks faced by overweight populations. The World Health Organization adopted global recommendations on dietary changes and increased exercise after years of debate, for example, while the 13th European Congress on Obesity launched the first European guidelines for managing obesity through diet and exercise at a four-day meeting in Prague. Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee of the U.K. was scheduled to issue a report today criticizing the government for "woefully inadequate" plans to fight obesity.

Health leaders in both the U.S. and U.K. will speak about these issues and more at the Academy conference. The agenda is as follows:

MONDAY, May 31, 2004 – 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.:

Welcome by Academy President Jeremiah A. Barondess, M.D., and Royal Society of Medicine President Sir Barry Jackson

Keynote address on The International Pandemic of Obesity by Cristina Beato, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Presentation of awards to Dr. Beato, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, and Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, U.K. Department of Health

TUESDAY, June 1, 2004 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

Topical sessions on the incidence, treatment and prevention of obesity

Speakers and Topics Include:

Translating Science and Public Health Intervention:

U.S. Perspective – David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., former U.S. Surgeon General and Director, National Center for Primary Care, Morehouse School of Medicine

U.K. Perspective – Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, U.K. Health Department

Epidemiology of Obesity:

U.S. Perspective – Samuel (Woodie) Kessel, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Surgeon General,

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.K. Perspective – Professor Philip James, International Obesity Task Force

Obesity Prevention: the Public Health Challenges

U.S. Approach – William Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.K. Approach – Dr. James Robertson, UK National Audit Office

Panel discussions will include: the scientific, psychological, and cultural determinants of eating behavior, appetite and satiety; obesity treatments, including surgery and diet modification; and, public health programs in obesity prevention.

The New York Academy of Medicine is a non-profit institution founded in 1847 that is dedicated to enhancing the health of the public through research, education and advocacy, with a particular focus on urban populations, especially the disadvantaged. To print a copy of the full program, please click here to download a pdf.

Posted on 05/27/2004

Contact:
Malini Doddamani
Director of Communications
mdoddamani@nyam.org
212.822.7285