CONCERN over the urgent need to halt the rising global epidemic of obesity and to find better prevention methods
will be voiced by leading experts in Stockholm next week.

The International Obesity TaskForce will be making a major contribution to the Berzelius Symposium on Prevention of Obesity in Stockholm in August 26-28.

Prof Stephan Rössner, president-elect of the International Association for the Study of Obesity and chair of the IOTF's communications group, will be speaking about the role and responsibility of the media.

Dr Bill Dietz, chair of the IOTF childhood obesity working group, will address the symposium on "It all starts with the children - lessons from the Boston experience."

President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, Dr Jaap Seidell, another IOTF member, will talk about the role of the food industry in shaping eating habits.

Prof Shiriki Kumanyika, chair of the IOTF's PHAPO prevention working group, will speak on prevention strategies, while another working group member, Dr Robert Jeffery, will speak about community intervention measures in Minnesota.

The IOTF scientific secretary Dr Tim Gill will give an overall presentation of the IOTF's work.

The aim is to look at practical strategies - related to transport, environment, work facilities, education, health and food policies, and even social and economic policies - which can help address the underlying causes of obesity.

In societies dominated by sedentary lifestyles and the temptations of high fat/energy dense food, public health efforts to prevent obesity increasing cannot rely solely on health education strategies targeted just at individuals. Whole living and working environments need to be transformed so that they can support lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits for the entire community.

The aim is to stimulate discussion and a survey will be circulated among those attending the symposium (and a selection of other professionals) about one month beforehand to seek views on proposed strategies in different populations and countries around the world.

The IOTF hopes that a series of practical initiatives will emerge leading to the development of effective public health action on obesity.

The deadline for symposium registration has been extended and applications should go to Caroline Erlandson, The Swedish Society of Medicine. PO Box 738 S-101 35 Stockholm. Phone +46 8 440 8878; Fax +46 8 440 8884

e-mail: caroline.erlandson@swedemedsoc.se

NB Prof Stephan Rössner will be holding a lunchtime press conference on Thursday August 27.

The Symposium is one of the key satellite sessions linked to this year's International Congress on Obesity in Paris from August 29-September 3.

for further information please contact:

Neville Rigby Communications director

International Obesity Task Force

+44 1224 716686 or e-mail njr@rri.sari.ac.uk