Global Weight Management Congress: Inaugural Global Weight Management Congress to unveil new research and findings in managing Australia’s obesity epidemic

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Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Its prevalence has tripled in the majority of countries of the World Health Organisation’s regions since the 1980s, and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at an alarming rate.

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According to a study published in The Lancet in 2014, a startling 2.1 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese which means that 30 percent of people globally are suffering the often devastating affects of obesity. This has tripled since 1980.
In Australia alone over 14 million people are considered overweight or obese. And if this trend continues, this number will rise dramatically if something is not done about this life-affecting problem.
So it’s clearly evident it is a problem that has to be urgently addressed. And it’s not just doctors, dietitians and weight loss organisations that are accountable.
According to Sonja Bella, organiser of Australia’s first Global Weight Management Congress, it’s a problem many facets of the community need to address, and will need to address in the future.
“The rates of obesity in both adults, and especially children are devastating. The side affects of this condition are killing people and the psychological effects can ruin people’s lives,” says Sonja who is also the Founder and Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Weigh Loss Consultants.
“With obesity now reaching epidemic proportions, it is clear that the current methodologies and practices need to be reviewed, with the view of finding a new way forward.”
That’s the philosophy behind the Global Weight Management Congress – an Australian first.
Bringing together the world’s top experts who aim to encompass the best practice methodologies and promote a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to weight management, these highly esteemed speakers include:
Assoc Prof Anna Peeters, Vichealth Research Fellow and the Head of Obesity and Population Health at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute who will be giving the opening keynote address on ‘Prevalence and trends of obesity in Australia’.
Dr Helena Popovic, Australia’s leading authority on neuro-plasticity will speak on ‘Can neuroscience provide a new way forward for weight management’.
Dr Cris Beer, an expert in nutritional medicine, will be presenting research on ‘Nutrigenomics: how food changes your genes’.
“We are so lucky to have such esteemed speakers attending the Congress,” says Sonja. “Our vision centres around changing the face of the Australian weight management industry and to work together to form a united front against the obesity problems in Australia, and globally – whether you are established in your career or business, or are looking to start a new career or business in the weight management industry, this really is a new way forward.”
With more and more industries having to deal with obesity issues, the Congress has been organised to cater for both existing and new industries that have found themselves in need of addressing obesity and weight related health issues.
“Weight management is not confined to the industries we typically expect, such as those dealing with food and exercise,” says Sonja. “Now you can find practitioners including Naturopaths, Natural Health Practitioners, Pharmacists, Community Nurses, Diabetes Educators, Psychologists, Counsellors, Massage Therapists, Beauticians and even Health Writers and Bloggers educating people on weight management.”
That is just a small section of the community that has to deal with this issue.
“With the education gained from the Congress, our aim is that everyone who deals with the effects of obesity and weight related issues in any way, will learn the most up-to-date and effective ways to help solve this global problem.
“The speakers participating in the Congress are excited to impart their knowledge, a lot of which is new and really is cutting-edge and will hopefully change the way we deal with Australia’s obesity problems.”
The 2015 Global Weight Management Congress is a platform for anyone involved in any aspect of dealing with weight management or the effects of obesity to learn the most up-to-date strategies, make key connections, and gain overall knowledge of how to more effectively deal with obesity in 2015 and beyond.
Obesity affects everyone in virtually every industry and we need to change that.
Who Should Attend

• Dieticians


• Nutritionists


• Naturopaths


• Natural Health Practitioners


• Weight Loss Consultants


• General Practitioners


• Pharmacists


• Community Nurses


• Diabetes educators


• Psychologists


• Counsellors


• NLP Practitioners


• Life Coaches


• Hypnotherapists


• Physiotherapists


• Massage Therapists


• Exercise Physiologists


• Personal trainers


• Beauticians - Sporting Clubs


• children obesity issues


• Educators, PE teachers, Principals


• Local Government


• healthy parks


• Workplace Health and Safety Officers


• Childcare Centres and Facilities


• Overeaters anonymous


• Men’s Health - Health Media


• Researchers and Scientists


• Laparoscopic surgeons

For more event information visit www.globalweightmanagement.org or for registration call 1300 940 951
When 7-9 May 2015
Where Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre
More information, or interviews please contact Jane Keighley/PR Manager, email janekeighley@outsourcetous.com.au or phone 0403 504 624