Canadian Obesity Network Information
The Canadian Obesity Network-Réseau Canadien en l’Obésité (CON-RCO) is the primary Canadian network of obesity researchers, health professionals and others with a professional interest in obesity. In Canada, like in many other parts of the world, obesity funding, research, prevention and treatment strategies remain uncoordinated in a fragmented population of players. CON-RCO aims to be Canada's leading professional organization dedicated to addressing the obesity epidemic. The Network was launched in March 2006 at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario[1][2], with funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada][3]. In April 2007 the 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the management and prevention of obesity in adults and children were published[4]. In August 2007, CON moved to the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta[5][6] In 2009 the Network had over 3500 registered members. The network is a registered not-for-profit corporation.
A brief video overview for CON is currently available.
The Scientific Director, Dr. Arya M. Sharma, holds a Chair in Obesity Research and Management at the University of Alberta. Dr. Sharma recently co-authored a proposed clinical staging system for obesity[7][8] and an editorial on regulating commercial weight-loss programs[9].
CON-RCO Mission: To reduce the burden of obesity on Canadians by linking obesity researchers with health professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders to foster knowledge translation, capacity building and partnerships.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: 1 Knowledge Translation: To promote exchanges between researchers, health professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders that yield innovative and effective obesity prevention and treatment solutions. 2 Capacity Building: To increase interdisciplinary capacity among future obesity researchers and health professionals in Canada. 3 Networking/Partnerships: To create national and international partnerships across sectors to translate research, build capacity and generate solutions to fight the obesity epidemic.
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Board of Directors and the Science Committee
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Anton Hart, Publisher & CEO, Longwoods Publishing Corporation [1] Scientific Director: Dr. Arya M. Sharma, Chair Holder Obesity Research and Management, University of Alberta Arun Chockalingam, Director of Global Health, Secretary General-Elect, World Hypertension League Dr. Diane Finegood, Professor, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University Francy Pillo-Blocka, President & CEO, The Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition Irving Gold, Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs, Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Lyne Sauvageau, Vice-présidente aux programmes, Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture Marsha Sharp, CEO, Dietitians of Canada Michael Cloutier, CEO, Creative Outcome Technologies Inc. Dr. Kim Raine, Professor, Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta Philip Donne, President, Campbell Company of Canada Allison Venner, Student Representative, PhD Candidate, University of Calgary Stephen Samis, Director, Health Policy, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Dr. Sylvie Stachenko, Dean, School of Public Health, University of Alberta Tom Clandinin, Professor, Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta; Network Host Representative
SCIENCE COMMITTEE The Science Committee advises the Scientific Director and the Board of Directors on research, knowledge translation and capacity building strategies, in accordance with the Network goals and the overarching directions set out by the Board of Directors. Kim Raine, PhD, RD, Chair Director and Professor, Centre for Health Promotion Studies, University of Alberta Paul Belanger, Assistant Director Ottawa, Institute of Nutrition Metabolism and Diabetes, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Katherine Cianflone, PhD, Professeure, Canada Research Chair in Adipose Tissue, Université Laval Lisa Sullivan, Manager, Canadian Population Health Inititative, Canadian Institute for Health Information Alejandro Jadad, MD/DPhil, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Canada Research Chair in eHealth Innovation, University of Toronto Ian Janssen, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Health & Epidemiology, School of Kinesiology & Health Studies, Queen’s University Jennifer Kuk, Student and New Professional Representative, Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University Anthony Levinson, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of e-Learning Innovation, McMaster University David Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Chair Diabetes and Endocrine Research Group
National Obesity Summit
The first National Obesity Summit was held May 7–10 at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis, Alberta. This was Canada's first "all-obesity" meeting and was a huge success. Almost 500 delegates attended the conference, which surpassed the venues capacity. Researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines and interests came to Kananaskis to share with and learn from their peers in a unique and interactive environment. The oral presentations, poster sessions, workshops and seminars represented a fascinating cross-section of thought and novel findings on many of the key issues in obesity today. Plenary Sessions included: 1) Obesity and Mental Health, 2) Behavioural and Biological Determinants of Obesity, 3) Obesity Management and 4) Health Economics & Policy of Obesity. Please see the final programme for further details. The next National Obesity Summit will take place in Montreal, Quebec from April 28 to May 1, 2011.
CON - SNP
CON-RCO has made it a key objective to provide innovative training opportunities for researchers, students, trainees and health professionals. More importantly, CON-RCO is committed to empowering and supporting students and new professionals to self-organize, network and engage in knowledge translation activities. The Canadian Obesity Network - Student and New Professional group (CON-SNP) was established in 2006 and serves as the conduit through which new Canadian obesity professionals can connect across disciplines for the advancement of obesity education, research, treatment and management. Students and new professional include MSc/PhD students, researchers, clinical fellows/researchers, and health professionals during their training or for five years after completing their training. CON-SNP is actively involved in many events across the country all year. Recent events include the National Obesity Summit, the 2008 Canadian Obesity Student Meeting and supporting numerous events of local SNP chapters. There are now over 900 SNPs in the CON Membership!
External links
- CON Official web site
- CON-SNP Official web site
- First National Obesity Summit web site
- Dr. Sharma's Obesity Notes blog
- Dr. Yoni Freedhoff's Weighty Matters blog
References
- ^ The Hamilton Spectator, 30 March 2006
- ^ Veronica McGuire. Federal program launches Canadian Obesity Network at McMaster. McMaster Daily News March 29, 2006. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ http://www.nce.gc.ca/nces-rces/con_e.htm
- ^ 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the prevention and treatment of obesity in adults and children. CMAJ 2007;176(8Suppl):1-117. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ Edmonton Journal, 10 August 2007
- ^ Alberta Health Services News Release. Capital Health and University of Alberta recruit leading Canadian obesity expert. August 10, 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ Sharma AM, Kushner RF. A proposed clinical staging system for obesity. Int J Obes 2009;33(3):289-95.
- ^ Kate Lunau. Size isn't everything. MacLeans.ca, 14 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ^ Freedhoff Y & Sharma AM. "Lose 40 pounds in 4 weeks": regulating commercial weight-loss programs. CMAJ 2009 Feb 17;180(4):367-8. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
Categories: Health organizations in Canada
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