Leading Australian experts in healthy weight, physical activity and nutrition, together with around 200 local professionals, met in Fremantle on 18–20 March 2009 to explore different ways to fight the overweight and obesity epidemic in Australia.
30 March 2009
The Weighing Up Our Future – WA's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Healthy Weight Congress – was a three day event that attracted 200 participants from across Western Australia. The congress was organised by the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council WA and Diabetes WA through funding from the Department of Health WA.
Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Health Director and Congress Chair Trevor Shilton said the congress, which attracted internationally renowned keynote speakers Professor Boyd Swinburn (Professor of Population Health at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University), Professor Neville Owen (Professor of Health Behaviour and Director of the Cancer Prevention Research Centre at the University of Queensland), and Dr Rosemary Stanton (renowned nutritionist), provided an excellent opportunity to share what can be done locally to reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity.
"West Australians can no longer ignore the fact that physical inactivity and poor nutrition are linked to obesity and chronic disease," Mr Shilton said.
"It is imperative that individuals take steps to eat a balanced diet and be more active for health and a better quality of life.
"Governments too, at all levels, need to take the lead and increase their investment in nutrition and physical activity programs, and prioritise walking, cycling and healthier environments in our neighbourhoods and schools."
"The congress provided an important opportunity to gather local and national experts to talk about how we can work together in health, as well as with other sectors, to fight overweight and obesity in our communities."
