Australian researchers at forefront of battle against obesity

Deakin University has been given World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre status for research into obesity prevention and related nutrition and physical activity programs.

This global recognition places Australian researchers at the forefront of the international battle against obesity.

Dean of Deakin’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences and Victoria’s former Chief Health Officer, Professor John Catford, said that the collaborating centre status puts Deakin and Australia on the world map as leaders in the fight against obesity.

“This is an international accolade for Deakin and recognition of the wealth of expertise that exists within the University,” Professor Catford said.

“Deakin is well placed to provide this international leadership in obesity prevention as we have the largest research group in Australia working on nutrition and physical activity.”

WHO has a large world-wide network of collaborating centres that provide research, technical and training expertise integral to fulfilling its global health priorities. Deakin University is the first to focus on obesity prevention.

As a WHO Collaborating Centre Deakin will:

• Support WHO and its member countries in the development, implementation and evaluation of population-based strategies for the prevention and control of obesity
• Provide a ‘clearing-house’ role for evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of obesity prevention programs and interventions.
• Provide expert advice on obesity-related matters such as definitions of overweight and obesity for different ethnic groups, the economic costs of obesity, population-based recommendations for obesity prevention.
• Undertake research into the causes and control of obesity.
• Support WHO and other key institutions to increase the capacity and capabilities of people in the region in obesity prevention.

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention and Related Research and Training will be officially launched by Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Walker and WHO representatives Dr Robert Beaglehole and Dr Linda Milan on Monday 22 April at 4pm at the Deakin Melbourne campus at Toorak.

The launch will follow an International Obesity Taskforce workshop being hosted by Deakin University. The recommendations from this workshop will strengthen the evidence-based approach to obesity prevention and provide critical information to the World Health Assembly meeting being held in May discuss WHO’s draft global strategy on diet, physical activity and health.

For further information contact: Professor John Catford (03) 9244 6020, 0407 850 056 Professor Boyd Swinburn, program manager, (03) 9251 7096, 0407 539 941