1. health and fitness

Tackling Childhood Obesity in Europe through
Prevention and Partnership
Thursday 16st April 2015
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre,
Brussels
Tackling Childhood Obesity in Europe through Prevention and Partnership
Overview
Why Attend?
The rise in childhood obesity has become a major public health concern in Europe, reaching
the proportions of an epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation, one in three 6
to 9 year-olds is overweight or obese across Europe, while each year around 7% of national
health budgets across the EU are spent on diseases linked to obesity.
99 D
iscuss current EU policy initiatives
and priorities, and the need for
a continent-wide framework for
breaking the cycle of obesity in
Europe
Mainly caused by poor diets and lack of physical activity, childhood obesity is likewise linked
to several interrelated factors ranging from affordability and availability of healthy/unhealthy
foods, media and marketing messages to children, as well as the lack of safe play spaces and
the appeal of digital entertainment. Thus, community-based prevention approaches, which
take into account every aspect of the environment in which children are born and raised, can
contribute to reducing the risk of becoming overweight or obese. In turn, children would
have less chance of facing health and psychological problems later in life.
The EU has an important role to play in dealing with these challenges through its public
health, education and consumer policies. As part of its strategy on nutrition and physical
activity, the European Commission launched a new EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity
in 2014. During the same year, the World Health Organisation adopted the new European
Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020, signalling a renewed effort to promote good
nutrition among infants and children.
This timely international symposium aims to reignite the debate about an EU-wide strategy
to tackle the issue of childhood obesity, evaluate current frameworks for action, assess
the latest institutional developments and review the most relevant evidence-based
interventions to promote healthy diets and physical activity aimed at preventing obesity.
The symposium will provide a platform to discuss a better European regulatory framework,
support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking
topical debate whilst sharing best practices and lessons learnt.
Being overweight in childhood increases the risk of developing chronic
diseases later in life, including type 2 diabetes. The upward trend of childhood
obesity threatens to overwhelm our healthcare systems in the decades to
come. (…) The reduction of obesity can only be achieved if we all continue
working together.”
- Tonio Borg, Former European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy,
June 2013
Childhood obesity is not just the result of lifestyle choices. It is driven by trans generational, biological and environmental issues beyond the child’s control.
For environmental issues, efforts need to focus on factors that influence the
dietary and physical activity patterns of children and their parents. (…) Ending
childhood obesity is one of the most complex health challenges facing the
international community during this century. If we get the answers right, and
get governments to do the right things, we will likely be better placed to tackle
other risk factors and their health consequences. “
- Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization,
January 2015
Venue and Accommodation
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre
Avenue du Boulevard 17
1210 Brussels
Belgium
99 E
xamine the progress, challenges
and next steps in tackling obesity
and explore ways to encourage
healthy lifestyle habits in every child
99 H
ighlight the importance of physical
activity and community-based
approaches in combating obesity
99 A
nalyse and learn from examples
of best practice in different
Member States and establish
recommendations for future actions
Who Should Attend?
• P ublic Health Practitioners
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Health Promotion Practitioners
Child Health Visitors
Family Nurse Partnerships
General Practitioners
Local Authority Officers and Councillors
Central Government Departments and
Agencies
Heads of Children’s Services and Teams
Pre-School, Infant School, Primary and
Secondary School Head Teachers and Staff
School Nurses
Health Service Professionals
Youth Services
Leisure Services
Food and Drinks Industry Professionals
Midwives
Maternity Care and Midwifery Organisations
Maternity Support Workers
NHS Training Departments
Parent Participation Teams
Parental Engagement Teams
Paediatricians
Teenage Pregnancy Coordinators and
Advisors
Local Pregnancy Advisory Services
Heads of Early Years
Play Groups
Social Workers and Social Services Officers
Family Planning Clinics
Integrated Disabled Services
Local Education Authorities
Safeguarding Children Teams and Local
Safeguarding Boards
Voluntary and Community Organisations
Third Sector Practitioners and Organisations
Trade Unions
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights
Practitioners
Academics and Researchers
Enquiries: 0845 606 1535
www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk
@PublicPolicyEx
Tackling Childhood Obesity in Europe through Prevention and Partnership
Programme
Event Details
09:15
Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Date: Thursday 16st April 2015
Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Venue: Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre,
Brussels
10:10
Actions on Childhood Obesity at EU Level: Towards Healthier Lifestyles
through Integrated Policy-Making
• Current trends in Diet and Physical Activity: Collecting and Analysing Data
Across Europe
• Understanding the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity (2014-2020)
• Good Practices and Actions in Nutrition and Physical Activity: Insights from
WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020
• Future Challenges and Solutions in Tackling Childhood Obesity
10:40
First Round of Discussions
11:10 Morning Coffee Break
11:30Supporting a Healthy Start in Life: Prevention in the Early Years
• Promoting Healthier Environments in School: Learning Healthy Diets and
Lifestyle Habits Early On
• Understanding the Link between Obesity and Psychological Health
• Increasing Health Literacy in the Early Years: Reaching Disadvantaged Groups
• Sharing Best Practice
12:00
Second Round of Discussions
12:30
Networking Lunch
13:30Encouraging Physical Activity as a Means to Combat Obesity
• Increasing the Attractiveness of Sports and Healthy Lifestyles: Using Innovative
Solutions and Digital Technologies
• Adapting the Design and Layout of Urban Areas to Physical Activity Needs
• Promoting Physical Activity at Local Level
• Example of Best Practice
14:00
Third Round of Discussions
14:30 Afternoon Coffee Break
14:50Cross-Border and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships across the EU
• Discussing the Role of Civil Society, the Media and Industry
• Providing Better Information on Food Products: Promoting Responsible
Marketing and Advertising
• Encouraging the Healthy Choice. Understanding the Impact of Food
Advertising on Children’s Food Choices
• Conclusions and Recommendations
15:20
Fourth Round of Discussions
15:50 Chair’s Summary and Closing Comments
16:00
Networking Reception
16:30 Close
Marketing and Exhibition Opportunities
We offer a range of opportunities to enable your organisation to raise its profile and
communicate with key decision makers in the public sector.
Speakers Include:
99 Dr Roberto Bertollini, Chief Scientist
and WHO Representative to the EU,
World Health Organization
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For further information please contact us on +44 (0) 20 3137 8630
or email [email protected]
Enquiries: 0845 606 1535
www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk
@PublicPolicyEx