Lipscomb hosts "Battling Obesity in Tennessee's Children" April 7
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Lipscomb University's Family and Consumer Science Department is hosting the Triennial Cross Nutrition Symposium "Battling Obesity in Tennessee's Children" on Thursday, April 7 in Ward Lecture Hall, 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tenn.
The event is sponsored by the Caroline Cross Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences. It is free and open to the public. Reservations must be made by Monday, April 4.
"We are offering this program because we see the extreme need for all of us to become educated about the medical consequences of obesity and work toward prevention of the problem," said Autumn Marshall, assistant professor and dietetic internship director. "The incidence of childhood obesity has grown rampant in the last several years, and we need to figure out solutions to the problem now so that we can keep this generation from facing all of the health problems associated with obesity."
The program will begin with a networking reception at 12:30 p.m. followed at 1 p.m. by "The Problem of Childhood Obesity: An overview" with guest speaker Dr. Sari Acra.
"Dr. Acra will provide participants with enhanced knowledge of the incidence of childhood obesity in Tennessee and the factors that have led to its increase," said Marshall. "The session will include discussion about the health risks and medical complications of obesity."
The next session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and is entitled "Going to Battle: A Meta-analysis of Obesity Treatment Programs" presented by Dr. Paul Keckley. This session is intended to provide the participant with enhanced knowledge of the approaches to treatment of childhood obesity, both successful and unsuccessful.
At 2:30 p.m., Dr. David Thombs will present "Finding Solutions: Measurable Outcomes." This session will be focused on identifying desirable outcomes, ways to measure achievement of those outcomes, and ways to plan for progress. Then at 3 p.m., Dr. Gregory Plemmons will present "Programs that Work: Present and Future Success Stories" which will focus on identifying treatment programs already underway at Vanderbilt University and will include discussion about the upcoming program, 'HealthTime.'
The Triennial symposium will conclude with a roundtable discussion at 3:30 p.m. entitled "What is Tennessee Doing?" Panelists will include Dr. Sari Acra; Dr. Gregory Plemmons; Dr. David Thombs; Nan Allison, MS, RD, LDN and Lisa Hunt, Metro School Board Member.
"During the roundtable discussion, participants will be able to enhance their knowledge of legislative, public, and private efforts to battle childhood obesity and reach desirable health outcomes in Tennessee's children," said Marshall.
For registered dietitians, two hours of continuing education credit has been applied for to the commission on Dietetic Registration.
For more information about the symposium or to make a reservation, contact Marshall by calling 615.279.6106 or by emailing autumn.marshall [at] lipscomb.edu.
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