The SCOPE Team

Click on a SCOPE team member below to read more about them. See our organization chart for a more detailed explanation of the SCOPE team.


Dr. Shazhan Amed, Project Lead

Dr. Shazhan Amed is a pediatric doctor who works at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. In addition to seeing children in her clinic, she also conducts research on the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity and diabetes. Dr. Amed is leading the SCOPE project and is dedicated to the success of the project. Here is what Dr. Amed has to say about SCOPE:

Why is the SCOPE project important to you?

Rates of childhood obesity are rising and in a recent study I conducted, 95% of Canadian children with type 2 diabetes were obese. When I see children and youth in my clinic who are struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes, as much as I would like to help, I often feel helpless because I don’t understand the reality of their lives and the factors that prevent them from making healthier choices.  I want to be able to send these children and their families back to their communities knowing that there are resources, services and programs available that will help them to live healthier lives. SCOPE is a project that will help communities work together to identify community specific solutions to the problem of childhood obesity, and continue to improve the health of children and youth for years to come. I want to help communities to make the healthy choice the easy choice for children and youth.

How do you hope to contribute to this project?

I hope to provide strong leadership to this project and ensure its success in Prince George and Abbotsford. I also hope to show members of each community the impact of their efforts over time. I am looking forward to supporting both pilot communities as they begin to identify priorities for action that are important to them. I am excited to see how the communities will embrace SCOPE and affect change in their communities!

Amelia Daly, Project Coordinator

Amelia is a project manager and brings a background in research to the SCOPE team. Throughout her time as a student at UBC she worked in Los Angeles studying the onset of Type II Diabetes in adolescent girls. Returning to a project focused on the sustainable prevention of obesity is an ideal course to pursuing her passion to help promote healthy living for children.

Why is the SCOPE project important to you?

SCOPE is a comprehensive initiative to analyze and provide solutions to address the complex issue of childhood obesity. There is a necessity for change in our current habits and habitats in order to help adolescents prepare for their future. Everyone has a role to play in fostering environments that encourage healthy choices so that every child has the access to play actively and eat affordable, nutritious food. It is my hope that this work will help children today be healthier and better able to follow their dreams.

How do you hope to contribute to this project?

Involvement is essential to ensuring a healthy future for adolescents. I will coordinate and combine the valuable work of the SCOPE team, utilize the tools we already have to make changes in the community, and mobilize the efforts to implement strategies to curb childhood obesity.

Glenda Newsted, Prince George Coordinator

Glenda Newsted brings to the SCOPE team a strong background in municipal recreation and community development. She currently holds two valuable roles with the City of Prince George: Recreation Coordinator and SCOPE Community Coordinator. We asked Glenda to tell us why this project is important to her and what impact she hopes to make in her community.

Why is the SCOPE project important to you?

Childhood obesity is not just about the food consumed or the lack of physical activity – the issue represents so many other challenges facing our communities and society. If we want to make long-lasting change, and reverse the negative impacts of obesity on our children’s longevity, we need to address those issues and barriers that exist at the community level. SCOPE puts the power to affect change back in the hands of the community as it recognizes that community members are equal partners in finding solutions and ultimately making change.

How do you hope to contribute to this project?

SCOPE recognizes that we need to get everyone to the table. The business community is as important a potential partner as the childcare worker and parents are as knowledgeable as the doctor. I know there are many people in Prince George who care about our kids, and there are activities and programs underway aimed at their wellbeing – but currently, these programs exist in isolation, and I really respect the potential power of collaboration. I look forward to my role as the Community Coordinator and the opportunity to help build connections between traditional and non-traditional community players as we set a new table for a healthier future for our children.

Laura Loudon, Abbotsford Coordinator

laura loudonLaura Loudon brings to the SCOPE team a background in kinesiology and physical education. Most recently she played an important role in developing a Physical Activity Line for the citizens of British Columbia. We asked Laura to tell us why this project is important to her and what impact she hopes to make on her community.

Why is the SCOPE project important to you?

I believe childhood obesity is only a symptom of multiple issues in our society. No single factor is to blame for this epidemic and we need to work together as a community to address the wide range of risk factors that are contributing to this problem. In order for our children to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives, we need to provide them with communities where they are able to eat well, be safe, and have opportunities to be physically active, all while having support from their families, schools and the community.

How do you hope to contribute to this project?

My goal as the Community Coordinator is to build relationships with the various sectors of the community of Abbotsford to explore the needs of our children, identify priorities and support a comprehensive plan of action, building on a number of healthy initiatives underway in various areas. Providing leadership for a community to work together will be an extremely valuable contribution to the fight against childhood obesity.

Kirstin Wingate, Research Assistant

Kirstin’s background is in Nutritional Sciences.  Fresh from her undergraduate degree, she brings her energy and dedication to the SCOPE project.

Why is the SCOPE project important to you?

Not only do I support SCOPE’s goals of improving child health, I am a strong believer in SCOPE’s approach to achieving this goal.  I think that environmental change is the best way to change a child’s health behaviours.  Living healthy shouldn’t just be a question of will power (being able to go for a work-out every day, or resisting those delicious baked treats), it should be the easy choice, especially for kids.  SCOPE understands that.

How do you hope to contribute to this project?

I’m here to support the other team members with all the little things that consume so much time.  I will also bring my nutrition perspective to all things healthy eating!

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