Press pack online.
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Media
Information
Check IASO MEDIA for the latest press
releases The Congress takes place in the Transamerica Hotel Convention Center,
the Alfa Teatro and Expocenter, Sao Paulo. Journalists wishing to receive occasional e-mail updates from the
Congress should e-mail ICOmedia@iaso.org providing
their name, title of their publication, and contact details. The Opening Ceremony and Award Lectures will be held on 24th August,
2002, at 6:30 pm. Congress sessions on August 25 – 28 run from 8.00 am to
6.00 pm and August 29, from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. Obesity is now recognized as a serious public health issue and the
global epidemic has become headline news all over the world. More than one billion adults are overweight or obese but rising rates
of childhood obesity - with the new complication of type 2 diabetes
increasingly found in youngsters – have set alarm bells ringing as experts
stress the need for change in diet and activity levels. So what is driving the global epidemic of obesity? What are the
factors putting a whole generation of children at risk? What are the links
between obesity and diabetes, heart disease and cancer? Experts from
all over the world will be gathering at the 9th International Congress on
Obesity in São Paulo to seek answers in the latest research, which covers
everything from genes and metabolism to epidemiology, prevention and
treatment. Some of the top names from the field of obesity research will be
presenting their latest findings on topics including adipose tissue biology,
metabolic syndrome, obesity genetics, prevention, behavior therapy, childhood
obesity, epidemiology, health complications of obesity, energy balance
regulation, treatment of obesity and the molecular physiology of the
weight-reduced state. “The 9th ICO will offer an unique chance to hear about the latest
advances in obesity research. It will be packed with opportunities to learn
more about an impressive range of topics”, said Prof. Geraldo Medeiros-Neto,
President of the Congress. Prof. Alfredo Halpern, chairman of the Congress and of its organizing
and local scientific committees, added: “About 3,000 delegates are expected
plus 300 invited speakers from many countries who will present the latest
developments in obesity research and management. We now know that
the adipose tissue has an important endocrine function and is a significant
factor in the major increase in diabetes and other chronic diseases.” Prof Claude Bouchard, chairman of the international advisory
committee, said that an array of leading world experts would be speaking at
the Congress. “This should send out an alert to public health officials and to
political leaders worldwide that this epidemic is leading to increasing
levels of coronary heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and many other
disorders with an increasing economic burden on countries due to increased
levels of chronic disease, more disability and reduced life expectancy,” said
Prof Halpern. [Ends] Trio of top scientists are IASO Award Winners World experts focus on key obesity
issues Five researchers compete in ‘New
Investigators’ challenge Background on IASO and the IOTF |