Taking Action on Childhood Obesity

Keynote Speakers for the Childhood Obesity Conference

 
Prof. P Bundred M.B. B.S. M.D (London) D.C.H. (South Africa) DCM (Cape Town) 

Peter was brought up in Kenya and studied medicine at Guy’s Hospital in the sixties. He undertook postgraduate training in paediatrics and epidemiology in South Africa and was appointed to the Chair of Family Health at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg in 1983. He came back to the UK in 1986 to take up the post of Senior Lecturer in Primary Care at the University of Liverpool .

Over the last ten years he has carried out research into the epidemiology of childhood obesity and has had papers published in a number of international medical journals on this subject. He firmly believes that the origins of childhood obesity are to be found in early life nutrition.

He and his wife, a paediatric cardiologist, retired two years ago. Since retirement they have both continued to work part-time and have spent some months in New Zealand and South Africa . As well as travelling they have spent this summer gardening and playing croquet. 

- Doctor Peter Bundred

Dr. L McGowan B.Sc PhD (Chartered Psychologist)

Laura qualified from Queen’s University Belfast with a BSc (Hons) Psychology (1:1) in 2004 and went on to undertake a PhD in Psychology which she was awarded in 2008. Qualifying as a chartered psychologist in early 2009 as a full member of the Division for Teachers and Researchers within the British Psychological Society, she worked in a research role in a health promotion setting for the Public Health Agency (formerly the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland) until joining the Health Behaviour Research Centre (HBRC), University College London in June 2009.  

Her PhD entitled 'The Development and Testing of a Social Cognitive Model of Adult Eating Behaviour' grew out of concerns regarding the current 'obesogenic' environment. The wider health risks of obesity through secondary problems such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, CHD are well documented; however, attempts to intervene successfully to increase healthy eating behaviour and food choice are limited.  Predominant models of health behaviour used in the field have modest success in explaining adult eating behaviour, and an accumulation of knowledge in this area makes integration of findings into practice difficult. To address this issue Laura conducted a systematic review of the cognitive factors influencing adult food choice in accordance with the procedures set out by the Cochrane Collaboration. This was followed by a pilot survey examining food choice in adults which then allowed for the development of a new, comprehensive model of healthy eating behaviour in adults.

Currently in the HBRC, she is working on the POPPETS Study. The first part of the study involved a large-scale community survey to assess the family environment correlates of healthy dietary choices among families with preschool aged children (including parental nutrition knowledge, feeding practices, social norms, availability of foods, mealtimes and patterns, and snacking rules). The next stage of this study now involves developing an intervention to create healthy habits within families. The intervention will determine if healthful family dietary behaviours can be created and established using a simple 'habit formation' model. The intervention uses findings from the POPPETS survey to supplement the habit formation guidance, with strategies that parents can use within the home environment to help implement their new healthy habits. Ultimately this research will be used to create an easily disseminable intervention which can be delivered in health service and health promotion settings by non-specialists and health professionals at minimal cost.

- Doctor Laura McGowan

Professor P Gately PhD (Sports Science and Human Nutrition) Carnegie Weight Management Camps

Professor Paul Gately holds a degree in Sports Science and a Masters in Human Nutrition. He first became interested in the subject of childhood obesity at the age of 18, when he went to work on a Camp in America . The insight gained from working at such camps internationally later guided the direction of his studies at university and beyond where he focused on the topic of obesity and weight loss in children. Since then, his growing fascination with the subject has led him to a life mission in designing, developing and delivering the most successful weight loss programmes for children anywhere in the world.

Professor Gately went on to complete a PhD, evaluating and redeveloping an American residential weight loss camp as an intervention for the treatment of overweight and obese children. His primary research interest focused on the treatment of childhood obesity.

The research later formed the foundations for Carnegie Weight Management (CWM), developed through 20 years of research experience in the field of childhood obesity and the study of weight loss programmes throughout the world. The strong research ethos and evaluative framework behind the CWM approach continues to underpin the structure, content and implementation of all CWM programmes today.

Paul has presented a number of television programmes on the subject of childhood obesity and is regularly featured on radio, television and in the press. He is Chair of the Yorkshire and the Humber National Obesity Forum, a national and regional spokesperson for Change4Life, and a contributor in the International Obesity Task Force/World Health Organisation’s report on childhood obesity. He is also a consultant to many government agencies, health organisations and corporations throughout the UK and internationally.

Speaking about CWM, Paul states, “It's about having fun in an enjoyable, safe environment and motivating, supporting and engaging the kids and helping them to succeed. We've taken a scientific approach and have the most scientific evidence in the world for our programmes.

“Today’s childhood obesity epidemic affects millions of young people both physically and emotionally. But with the right education, support and encouragement, I believe we can help them overcome the barriers and transform their lives, achieving both sustainable weight loss and the drive to succeed.”

- Professor Paul Gately

Dr. L Stewart RD RNutr Consultant Trainer and Director, Children's Weight Clinic

Dr Laura Stewart is a leading dietician in childhood obesity. She has published a number of articles in international peer review journals and is author of a number of text book chapters on childhood obesity including in the 3rd edition of the BDA Paediatric Group's 'Clinical Paediatric Dietetics'. She was a member of the SIGN 115 guideline group on Childhood Obesity (2010).

Laura states,

I strongly believe that children should never be put on a diet but should be educated and supported in achieving a healthy lifestyle. I also know from experience, that the child is more likely to succeed if the whole family develops a healthy lifestyle and is therefore supportive of the child's new choices. Many children who develop unhealthy lifestyles at a young age are likely to struggle with their weight for the rest of their lives

We provide training to professionals and those working with children to empower them to provide a neutral environment in which all these issues can be discussed and resolved. Our training can help professionals deal with these feelings and also discuss these complex issues with parents and families. 

- Doctor Laura Stewart