into research
by Dr Amelia Lake
Human Nutrition Research Centre at the
University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Dissemination: word of the month
Conference season is well and truly upon us and in June I was on the other side of the conference organisa-
tional table. As a committee member for the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO), I helped organise a
one-day conference entitled ‘Obesity and the Built Environment’.
As well as those involved in
Stoate’s offi ce, and was sponsored
journals, we should never underesti-
researching this relatively new and
by Foresight.
mate the importance of dissemina-
highly topical subject we had a
The speakers included Polly Turton
tion at every level. At regional level,
number of speakers from NGOs and
from CABE (Commission for Architec-
I am involved in organising the North
those who are involved in dealing
ture and the Built Environment), Dr
East Obesity Forum (the regional
with how our environment is planned
Susan Jebb (MRC Human Nutrition
group of the ASO) last month we
and designed. Our delegate list was
Research), Professor Mark Petti-
had a meeting on Childhood Obe-
equally diverse with people repre-
crew (London School of Hygiene &
sity – the size of the problem. Our
senting health, planning, transport
Tropical Medicine) and Oliver Smith
audience included a delegation
and design sectors. While the envi-
(Deputy Director, programme &
of councillors from a local council
ronment and obesity is a huge topic
Delivery Cross-Government Obesity
who were interested in attending
and the evidence has tended to fo-
Unit). The aim of this meeting was
to glean more information about
cus on the interaction between the
to raise awareness among policy-
obesity, in order to help them deliver
environment and physical activity,
makers and build on the measures
a better service. This broad audi-
there is an interaction between the
outlined in the Foresight report on
ence (which included policy mak-
environment and our food choices.
obesity to make the places we live
ers, service providers, other health
Infl uencing this relationship is not
and work more conducive to a
professionals, a headmaster and
the role of dietitians and other health
healthy lifestyle.
academics) really had an excel-
professionals alone; a concerted ef-
This event (which was my fi rst visit
lent discussion which was diffi cult to
fort is required from professionals from
to Westminster) emphasised to me
curb! From Westminster to Regional
a range of sectors. The recent Fore-
the importance of dissemination - not
Groups, the importance of sharing
sight report (1) emphasised this need
only to your peers - but to policy mak-
good practice cannot be empha-
to work across traditional disciplinary
ers as well. The ASO will be supporting
sised enough.
boundaries and the Foresight Systems
future All Party Parliamentary Group
As conference season continues
Maps clearly illustrates the overlaps
meetings with the aim of promoting
and I refl ect that perhaps event or-
between different areas of expertise.
greater awareness of the problem
ganising is possibly not my speciality,
The day following the conference
of obesity, its prevention, impact
dissemination of research is a vital
saw the re-launch of the All Party
and effective management. Further
aspect of what anyone involved in
Parliamentary Group on Obesity in
details about this group, future ASO
research and evidence based prac-
Westminster, which also discussed
obesity conferences and training can
tice should be doing.
this topic of Obesity and the Built En-
be found at www.aso.org.uk.
vironment. This meeting was chaired
While there are ranges of ways to
References
1 Foresight, Tackling Obesities: Future Choices
by Dr Howard Stoate MP, had
disseminate your work, from informal – Project report. 2007, Government Offi ce for Sci-
been organised by the ASO and Dr
discussions through to peer-reviewed
ence: London.
glutenfreedom.info
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NHDmag.com July ‘08 - issue 36 27
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