The University of Glasgow will be hosting leading experts to address a one day conference entitled 'Food, Diet and Health 2002'.

The conference will bring together schoolteachers and health professionals from throughout Scotland to exchange the latest information on health and diet and to debate possible solutions towards improving the diet of Scotland's consumers.

Speaking at the conference will be Tommy Sheridan, MSP, Scottish Parliament. He commented, 'There has been a lot of talk about Scotland's atrocious dietary health record. The problem is that talk in itself solves nothing. What we need is more action which requires political commitment and courage, backed up with the necessary resources'.

The use of modern food technology to produce foods and food ingredients is a subject of heightened interest among consumers and policy makers and within the scientific community. Jeya Henry, Professor of Human Nutrition, Oxford Brookes University, will explore these issues in his presentation on 'Modern food technology and its impact on nutrition'.

In the last 10 years, most supermarkets have become sensitive to the concept of healthy eating and have promoted healthy foods. Sarah Richards, a nutritionist with Sainsbury's, will be speaking about the Sainsbury's 'Taste of Success' Food Award Scheme which helps young consumers to understand more about food and health and recognises and rewards pupils' success in developing practical food skills.

Other conference speakers include:

Fergus Chambers, Director, Direct and Care Services, Glasgow City Council will discuss the de-branding of 'fuel zones' in schools.

Gillian Kynoch, Health and Food Co-ordinator, Scottish Executive. Gillian will be focusing on the role Home Economics Teachers can play in implementing the Scottish Diet Action Plan Report.

Sunita Wallia, Community Dietician, Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust, will update the audience on the health of the Asian community in the UK and what can be done to improve their diet.

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

Conference Programme
9.45 ? 10.20 Registration

10.20 ? 10.25 Opening remarks from the Chair
Frances Gallagher, Advisor in Home Economics, Glasgow City Council, Education

Key Issues

10.25 ? 10.50 Implementing the Scottish Diet Action Plan: The role for Home Economics
Gillian Kynoch, Scottish Diet and Food Co-ordinator, Scottish Executive Health Department

10.50 ? 11.00 Questions and discussion

11.00 ? 11.30 Refreshment break

East Meets West

11.30 ? 11.50 Improving the diet of the Asian Community in the UK
Sunita Wallia, Community Dietician, Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS Trust

11.50 ? 11.55 Questions and discussion

11.55 ? 12.50 'Sainsbury's Taste of Success Scheme and healthy eating recipe demonstration from the East'
Sarah Richards (Nutritionist) and Sainsbury?s Food Advisor Team
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

12.50 ? 2.05 Lunch

2.05 ? 2.10 Introduction from the Chair
Frances Gallagher, Adviser in Home Economics, Glasgow City Council, Education

Food Technology and Nutrition

2.10 ? 2.35 Modern food technology and its influence on nutrition
Professor Jeya Henry, Professor of Human Nutrition, Oxford Brookes University

2.35? 2.45 Questions and discussion

Round Table Discussion: 'What can Home Economics
Teachers and others do to support healthy eating in the school dining room?'

2.45 ? 3.40 Scotland?s poor health record ? 'Time for radical action?'
Tommy Sheridan, MSP, Scottish Parliament

'De branding fuel zones?'
Fergus Chambers, Director, Direct and Care Services, Glasgow City Council

3.40- 3.45 Closing remarks from the chair

3.45pm Approx. close

Conference Co-ordinator - Carolyn Fraser, Department of Human Nutrition 0141 201 9264 Enquiries during the conference can be made through the Press Office (0141 330 3535) or to the venue, The Milton Hotel and Leisure Club on 0141 222 2929

First published: 12 September 2002