The University of Glasgow, Division of Developmental Medicine will be holding a one day conference, which will present recent evidence on preventing obesity, and treating both obesity and eating disorders, to a large gathering of professionals from healthcare, education and social care settings from throughout the UK.

"Obesity causes a great deal of ill-health in childhood and stores up many health problems for adult life, especially heart disease and diabetes. Changing the environment so that childhood obesity is prevented, and offering children who are already obese sensitive but effective treatment, are two of the most urgent health problems facing us." said Dr John Reilly of the University of Glasgow, a leading expert in childhood obesity and the conference chairperson.

The results of obesity treatment programmes at obesity clinics have been disappointing although children do better than adults. Prevention is therefore essential to reducing this global epidemic. Conference speaker Dr Laurel Edmunds, an advisor to the House of Commons Health Select Committee and researcher on the University of Bristol renowned ALSPAC study, will be looking at new ways to tackle the ever growing problem of overweight and obese children through school based initiatives. She will be calling for a radical approach.

"Childhood obesity is a difficult problem to tackle and it is important to take into account the experiences of overweight /obese child at school. Their needs and perceptions are rarely taken into account when adults make decisions to "improve" circumstances for them. We need to understand what it is like to be a "fat kid" in school, to discuss these issues and to look at how they might impact on addressing the needs of overweight children"

Carolyn Edwards, who is a clinical psychologist at the University College, London will be talking about the use of family based behavioural intervention for paediatric obesity. She explains, " Family based behavioural intervention (FBBT) was developed in America and is often described as the best way of treating childhood obesity. The first ever trial of FBBT is underway at University College of London and Great Ormond Street and initial findings are yielding promising results".

Avril Williamson, an early years practitioner, Nursery School head teacher and research associate within the University of Glasgow, will be speaking on promoting physical activity in children to advance prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. She commented, "I am very concerned by the ever increasing scientific evidence in relation to childhood obesity, inactivity and children's health. I consider it vital that nursery practitioners are aware of the important role they can have in prevention of childhood obesity and inactivity"

The conference delegates will be updated on new developments in the management of eating disorders in adolescent psychiatry in particular the Parry-Jones Service for young people with severe eating disorders. Dr Jane Morris, Consultant at the Parry Jones Service, Gartnavel Royal Infirmary, Glasgow said " We are delighted to offer a first of its kind in Glasgow. A really joined up service allowing teenagers with severe eating disorders a chance to receive intensive therapy on a day patient or frequent out patient basis without necessarily having to stay in hospital".

Other conference speakers include:

Diagnosis of Obesity Dr John Reilly, Reader, Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow

Guidelines for the Management of Obesity Dr David Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Gastroenterolgoy and Nutrition, The Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust, Edinburgh

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The conference will take place on Friday 3 October 2003 at the Dean Park Hotel Renfrew, 9.45am ? 4.15pm. For further information contact: Carolyn Fraser, Conference organiser, Human Nutrition, Developmental Medicine, University of Glasgow on 0141 201 9264 or on the day on 079 6656 1474.

Alternatively, call Judith or Kate in the Press Office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683.

First published: 2 October 2003