Preventing Childhood Obesity - Training Course Brings International Researchers To Queensland University Of Technology, Australia

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Nutrition / Diet;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 09 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PST

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International researchers and academics with an interest in preventing childhood obesity will visit QUT later this month for a training course which will showcase some key technologies in measuring body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity.

Professor Andrew Hills and his Energy Metabolism Group will host a week-long training course with around 20 attendees from a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the week, attendees will tour around QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and gain further knowledge and techniques to assist them in the battle against childhood obesity.

"The International Atomic Energy Agency has funded a regional technical co-operation project based around the prevention of childhood obesity, with research groups from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Lebanon," said Professor Hills.

"We at QUT were invited to host the course, which was held in Japan last year, because of our expertise in the area of measuring body composition and energy expenditure of children, and the fact we have one of the few labs in the Southern Hemisphere which solely undertakes this sort of work. "

Professor Hills said the main goal of the group was to help research and capacity-building in developing countries, and that QUT was approached by the Australian Government to host the training course.

"The technologies used in measuring physical activity, body composition, and energy expenditure will be employed in projects and additional research in these countries," he said.

"In a short and medium term sense, those who are trained and participate directly in this program will be able to transfer their knowledge to research colleagues and students in their home countries.

"As well as that, it helps with the internationalisation of the university, and helps us to establish good relationships with key people and organisations in this region, which is very important for us."

The training course will be held from October 26 to October 31.

Queensland University of Technology