Wednesday June 8th, SCOPE attended the 11th Annual Nutrition Forum put on by the BC Dairy Foundation in Vancouver, titled “A Healthy Look at Obesity: Focusing on Solutions.”
The forum was attended primarily by dietitians from across the Lower Mainland. The presentations consisted of four diverse speakers, each of whom was so interesting we thought it would be worthwhile to briefly highlight each one.
Dr. Diane Finegood of Simon Fraser University performed the introduction, summarizing the complexity of obesity, and asserting that solutions would require a systems approach that addresses the interconnections of all the actors and players.
Dr Linda McCargar of the University of Alberta gave a technical presentation summarizing her work on metabolic flexibility. Using body calorimetry Dr McCargar examines how metabolic differences can predict risk for obesity.
Dr Linda Bacon began her bold presentation by challenging some of the fundamental beliefs held in the nutrition and metabolism field. Dr. Bacon argued that improving health behaviours could provide the health improvements most people seek through weight loss, and that by taking the focus off weight loss, we not only make our expectations more realistic (considering the low success of weight loss by diet and exercise methods) we promote more a accepting outlook on weight that does not shame or demonize any particular body type.
Finally Arlene Cristall of BC Children’s Hospital gave us a passionate overview of the Shapedown program, their successes, and also future goals of this family-centered treatment program.
We had a great time listening to all the speakers, and also chatting with all the friendly attendees that stopped by our booth to learn about SCOPE!
