The one day conference organised by the University of Glasgow's Department of Human Nutrition will cover several topics.

One is childhood obesity - a problem that is getting worse and must be tackled urgently. Conference speaker, Dr David Wilson, Senior Lecturer, RHSC, Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh commented, ' Obesity in children has many adverse consequences, in both the short and long term. Treatment ought to be intensive and focus on diet and inactivity'

Paul Gately of Leeds Metropolitan University set up the first 'Fat Camp' for children in the UK in 1999. He will be discussing the results of this project ﾖ 'Do Fat Camps for children really work?'

To date, over 280 children have completed the camp programme. He said,

'The camp programme has been successful in achieving significant improvement in persistent risk factors for childrens' health. In addition, it has helped health professionals to understand the key elements for the successful treatment of childhood obesity'

The conference programme will also focus on nutrition and cognitive development. Dr Peter Willatts, University of Dundee, has recently completed a multi - centre study which has produced the first evidence that dietary long chain fatty acids (LCPs) in infancy have long term effects on a child's health and cognitive ability.

He explained, 'Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) are necessary for a developing baby's brain. Breast milk contains LCPs, and several manufacturers are now adding these to infant formula. I am convinced that it is very important for babies to get LCPs in their diet during the first 6 months of life.

LCPs affect the speed at which babies take in information and we have recently found that these benefits may persist into later life. It is possible, for example, that this could improve reading development but further studies are needed. Breast feeding is undoubtedly the preferred method of feeding for babies. But for those mothers who choose to give their babies formula milk, it is important to select one supplying LCPs if at all possible'.

Other speakers include:

Food and coeliac disease

Dr Simon Ling, Consultant Paediatrician, Yorkhill NHS Trust, Glasgow

Food intolerances

Dr Paraic McGrogan, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Yorkhill NHS Trust

Food allergies

Dr Rosie Hague, Consultant Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Yorkhill NHS Trust, Glasgow

Nursing caries or nursing abuse?

Richard Welbury, Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, Glasgow Dental School

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

The conference will take place on Friday 22 November 2002 at the Burrell Collection, Pollok Estate, Glasgow from 10.00am until 4.30pm.

For further information contact Carolyn Fraser, Conference Organiser, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow on 0141 201 9264 or on the day on 079 6656 1474 or the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535.

First published: 20 November 2002