New obesity program airs on September 28th
August 30, 2010A new Rural Health Education Foundation television program which discusses the latest research on overweight and obesity will air on Tuesday September 28th.
Obesity: A Heavy Burden highlights the latest healthy lifestyle community-based prevention and intervention strategies. The hour-long program also outlines evidence-based interventions in weight management and maintenance.
A major problem that’s difficult to treat
“The World Health Organisation describes the increase in overweight and obesity as a global epidemic,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “In Australia, 68% of adult men and 55% of adult women are considered overweight or obese.”
“Not only is obesity a major health problem, it’s also complex and difficult to treat,” says Mr Perlgut. “This new program gives rural and remote health practitioners the knowledge and skills they need to assist people to prevent weight gain, to lose weight, and then to maintain their weight loss.”
Presented by an expert panel
The program format is a panel discussion chaired by Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
The panel of expert health practitioners features: Dr Lilian Kow, Bariatric Surgeon in the Department of Surgery at Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia; Ms Melanie McGrice, an Accredited Dietitian from Health Kick Nutrition & Dietetics in Melbourne; Dr John Pearson, a General Practitioner from Tamworth in NSW; and Professor Boyd Swinburn, Alfred Deakin Professor of Population Health and Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University in Melbourne.
Program funding
Obesity: A Heavy Burden is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Broadcast details
Obesity: A Heavy Burden will be broadcast across the Rural Health Education Foundation’s satellite television network on Tuesday September 28th at 8.00pm (AEST), with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday October 1st.
Also available on DVD and via web-streaming
DVD copies of this program will be available after the broadcast via our website. The program will also be available free on the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio podcast.
About obesity in Australia
Australia is now one of the fattest developed nations. Although overweight and obesity are a problem in all population groups, people living in rural and remote areas, the socio-economically disadvantaged, Indigenous Australians and some ethnic minorities are more vulnerable.
Studies show a clear relationship between excessive body weight and increased mortality and morbidity. Some of the health problems associated with obesity include musculoskeletal problems, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Obesity is responsible for more than half of the burden of disease caused by type 2 diabetes. Being obese can affect people’s quality of life, their sense of wellbeing and their ability to earn a living.
More information
For more information about the Obesity: A Heavy Burden program - including presenter details and associated educational resources - go to the online program summary, or contact the Foundation.