Fitter v’s Fatter: Seeking Solutions in the Weight Debate
By Imago Group
Monday 2 April, 2007
SYDNEY - As the girth of the nation rapidly expands, a myriad of health professionals, schools and
government departments continue to search for effective solutions to a dilemma that takes its toll in premature deaths
and preventable illness.
Though many laudable programs exist to encourage a healthy life-style, overall levels of physical activity continue
to decline.
Seeking answers to the growing health crisis, Sport Knowledge Australia (SKA) has drawn together a select group
of academics including Professor Ian Henry from Loughborough University in England to workshop the issue at
its “Fat Policy – Sport, Public Health and Education” seminar on 17 April in Sydney.
SKA’s Director of Research and Knowledge Services, Prof Kevin Norton, who recently published a major research
paper on childhood obesity spanning a century, initiated the seminar in response to evidence that current measures
are not improving overall fitness levels.
Says Prof Norton, “There is a well-documented decline in fitness levels in many countries around the world and
concomitant increases in overweight and obesity - particularly extremes in obesity.
“Our aim with this seminar is to help shape a strategy for a comprehensive integrated policy to address the growth
of obesity and decreasing physical activity in Australian society.”
The seminar will feature a gathering of leading researchers, senior sport administrators, and policy analysts who
are making themselves available to workshop with representatives of sport, public health and education.
Professors Henry and Norton will be joined by Prof Adrian Bauman from the University of Sydney - an international
expert on physical activity and public health - and Brent Espeland, Director of Sport Performance and Development at
the Australian Sports Commission.
Please click here to download the seminar brochure.
ABOUT SKA: Launched in June 2005 with a Federal Government grant, SKA is jointly owned by the University of Sydney, University of Technology, Sydney and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. SKA assists the continued global growth of the sports industry, helping more communities around the world to benefit from Australia’s strong sporting culture. Since its launch, SKA has delivered sport management programmes at the prestigious Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, run facility management courses in China and various seminars and courses in Australia on topics as diverse as player valuation strategies, genetic doping in sport, player welfare, executive sport management, elite sport coaching, major event management and facility management.
ATTENTION EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: Prof Norton is available for interview by contacting – Imago Group – Liz Herbert Mobile 0407 234 221 Tel:+61 2 9331 7222.
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