WIN Notes
Spring 2000
Design of
Clinical Trial
Underway
Genes Play
Key Role in
Childhood
Obesity
Gorden
Continues
Distinguished
Research
Career
at NIH
Schools Instill
Healthier
Habits in
Youth
Weight
Concerns
May Trigger
Smoking in
Youth
Girl
Power and
You! Begins
Phase II
Materials
From Other
Organizations
NIDDK
WIN Notes is
produced by the Weight-control Information Network (WIN). Questions or comments should be
referred to the editor, Weight-control Information Network,
1 Win Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3665, phone (202) 828-1025, fax (202) 828-1028
The American Obesity Association (AOA) hosted a conference to present the latest scientific and clinical understanding of obesity and the potential directions of prevention and intervention strategies. Held on September 15-16, 1999, in Washington, DC, the conference brought together leaders in public health, economics, research, clinical practice, education, business, and government to discuss obesity as a public health crisis.
Judith S. Stern, Sc.D., professor of nutrition and internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, and cofounder and vice president of AOA, introduced the conference by underscoring the seriousness of obesity: "During the two days of this conference, 1,800 Americans will die from problems related to diet and activity."
Richard L. Atkinson, M.D., professor of medicine and nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and cofounder and president of AOA, presented the health and social consequences of obesity. In addition to relating the comorbidities associated with obesity, he emphasized the psychosocial complications, including lower self- and body-image, feelings of inferiority, social isolation, discrimination, loss of mobility, and increased employee absenteeism. "It is painful to be fat in America, and it's time we do something about it," he said.
Among the speakers were Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., who presented the keynote address, and Representative John E. Porter (R-Illinois), who discussed federal funding of obesity research and prevention. Sarah M. Ferguson, Duchess of York and U.S. spokesperson for Weight Watchers International, a conference sponsor, gave the welcoming address.
At the conclusion of the conference, Dr. Atkinson presented an action plan for the U.S. Government to address in the next 12 months. The plan and other conference outcomes are available on the Web at www.obesity.org.
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