Obesity: definition, diagnosis and disadvantages

Recent scientific advancements in the field of nutrition and obesity are the focal point of this special Medical Journal of Australia Supplement, sponsored by Cadbury Confectionery of Australia. The Supplement presents the proceedings and panel discussions which were part of the "International Symposia on Nutrition and Obesity", which were also sponsored by Cadburyand took place in Sydney and in Melbourne in May 1984. The two-city Symposia attractedover700doctors and health professionals fromAustralia, NewZealand, Southeast Asia, the United States of America and Europe. The theme of the Symposia was "The State of the Science", an apt description, since the topics were presented by world authorities in nutrition and obesity. The international presenters included: Dr George Bray, Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California USA' Dr John Garrow, Consultant Physician and Member, MRC Scien~ific Staff, Clinical Research Centre, Northwick Park Ho~plta~, UK; Dr Albert Stunkard, Professor of Psychiatry, Umve~slty of Pennsylvania, USA; and Dr John Morley, Associate Professor, Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center and the University of Minnesota, USA. Dr Mario De Luise, of the Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, presented Australian research. Organizer of the Sydney programme was Professor A. StewartTruswell, Boden Professor of Human Nutrition,and Head of the Human Nutrition Unit at Sydney University. Professor Truswell says that the themeof the Symposia was selected to reflect "the continuing needto keepabreastof the latest scientific developments in this area". The Sydney programme wasopened by Dr Bryan Hudson, former President of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Organizer of the Melbourne conference was Professor Mark L. Wahlqvist, Head of the Human Nutrition Department of Victoria's Deakin University, and Physician-inChargeof the Clinical and Metabolism Unit, PrinceHenry's Hospital, Melbourne. The Melbourne programme was organized in conjunction with the Victorian Medical Postgraduate Foundation. Professor Wahlqvist comments that the problem of obesity is importantin nutritionresearch and is a problem commonly enountered by doctors. The opening address at the Melbourne programme was given by the Victorian Minister of Health, Mr Tom Roper. The Symposia comprised the first scientific programme sponso~ed br Cadbury. According to Mr Kevin Hayes, Managmg Director, the programme was successful in offering"a balanced exchange of information on a topicthat concerns all Australians". DIANE M. PLUMMER