Health experts from Europe and America addressed a one day conference organised by the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow on "Diet and the Big Three: Stroke, Cancer And Coronary Heart Disease", on 15 May 2001.

Scotland is still near the bottom in the European league tables of disease and health. Heart disease, stroke and cancer together account for 37,000 deaths a year. This conference will provide the audience of health professionals with the latest scientific evidence on the links between diet and Scotland's big 3 killers.

One of the conference speakers Professor Erkki Vartiainen, from the National Public Health Institute in Finland has joined in the fight against Scotland's poor health. He will talk on Finland's experience of reducing coronary heart disease and cancer mortality rates. He say's that "no-one should die from coronary heart disease at middle age. We have the technology and knowledge to do this".

Other key speakers included:

Professor Gordon Lowe of Glasgow Royal Infirmary who will talk on blood clots "Lots Of Clots In Scots. Is Diet The Answer?"

Dr Naveed Sattar, Glasgow Royal Infirmary will cover "Antioxidants And The Big Three - Separating Fact From Fiction" The role of antioxidants in preventing diseases particularly cancer and heart disease in the form of dietary supplements is receiving a lot of attention and Dr Sattar Naveed presented the most recent evidence in this area.

Professor Mike Lean, University of Glasgow and conference Chair said "although steps have been made in improving Scotland's health, there is still room for improvement. By making small changes in diet and lifestyle Scot's could dramatically boost the nations health. We also have all the professional expertise here in Scotland to help with this task".

Further information for journalists can be found at

http://www.newsdesk.gla.ac.uk/pressreleases

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

You are welcome to be represented at "Diet And The Big Three: Stroke, Cancer And Coronary Heart Disease" will be held on Tuesday 15, 2001, at the Crutherland House Hotel, East Kilbride, Tel 01355 577000

The full programme appears below.

For further information contact:

Carolyn Fraser, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, 0141 201 9264, email cf24f@clinmed.gla.ac.uk Or University of Glasgow Press Office, 0141 330 3535

Programme

9.45 - 10.15 Registration and refreshments

10.15 - 10.20 Introduction from the chair Professor Mike Lean, Department of Human Nutrition University of Glasgow

10.20 - 10.45 Obesity: A worldwide epidemic - Nutritional intervention for management Kathy McManus, Director, Nutritional Management (PWM), Brigham and Women?s Hospital, Boston

10.45 - 10.55 Questions and discussion

10.55 - 11.15 Antioxidants and the big three: Separating fact from fiction Dr Naveed Sattar, Senior Lecturer in Endocrinology and Metabolism/Honorary Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

11.15 - 11.20 Questions and discussion

11.20 - 11.50 Refreshment break

11.50 - 12.10 Influence of dietary fat on plasma lipids in relation to CHD and stroke Dr Siobhan Higgins, Lecturer, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow

12.10 - 12.15 Questions and discussion

12.15 - 12.35 Dietary effects on insulin sensitivity: Implications for CHD prevention Dr Stephen J Cleland, Lecturer in Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow

12.35 - 12.45 Questions and discussion 12.45 - 1.55 Lunch

1.55 - 2.00 Introduction to the afternoon session

2.00 - 2.20 Practical approaches to reducing risk factors for the "Big Three" and still enjoying your food! Jennette Higgs, Consultant Nutritionist/Media Specialist, American Peanut Council, London

2.20 - 2.25 Questions and discussion

2.25 - 2.45 Lots of clots in Scots. Is diet the answer?

Professor Gordon D O Lowe of Vascular Medicine, Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Medicine Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

2.45 - 2.50 Questions and discussion

2.50 - 3.15 Impact of dietary changes on coronary heart disease mortality in Finland Professor Erkki Vartiainen, MD, Professor, National Public Health Institute, Finland

3.15 - 3.20 Questions and discussion

3.20 - 4.15 Round table discussion: "Just A Minute And Any Questions? Changing Eating Patterns", chaired by Professor Annie Anderson, Centre for Public Health Nutrition Research, Ninewells Medical School, Dundee

Panel: Dr Martin Donaghy, Senior Public Health Adviser, The Scottish Executive Bill Gray, National Projects Officer, Scottish Consumer Council Professor Andrew Tannahill, The Chief Executive, The Health Education Board for Scotland Marian Pallister, Journalist

4.15 Closing remarks and refreshments

First published: 15 May 2001