Swine flu and childhood obesity- answers from the Kids Research Institute

Swine flu and childhood obesity are both topical issues at the moment. Kids Research Institute at The Children's Hospital at Westmead will be holding public lectures on both topics during National Science Week.

‘Solving swine flu with science: a vaccine victory?' is the topic Professor Robert Booy Head, Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and paediatrician, will present.

Childhood obesity is a significant and increasing problem in Australia, raising concerns about future trends of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Dr Sarah Garnett is an NHMRC Australian Clinical Research Fellow and research dietitian in the Kids Research Institute and Susie Burrell is one of Australia's leading dietitians. Both talk on the topic ‘Bigger but not better- the growing problem of childhood obesity.'

Now entering its twelfth year, National Science Week offers over hundreds of events throughout Australia, reaching an audience of over a million people.

National Science Week 2009 will run from 15 - 23 August. Details about National Science Week events can be found at www.scienceweek.gov.au.

EVENT INFORMATION

Tuesday 18 August, 6.30-7.30 pm   ‘Solving swine flu with science: a vaccine victory?'

When a new influenza virus emerges that the great majority of the population has no immunity to, a pandemic, or world-wide outbreak results. Theoretically, a new vaccine can be produced within 3 months but practically it takes at least 6 months before widespread distribution of the new vaccine can occur. In the meantime, there are many issues to address, such as physical means of preventing infection (eg. hand washing, masks), provision of clear and accurate public information, appropriate use of antiviral drugs and designing/implementing high quality surveillance and research. This lecture will focus on the best means to control and manage the new pandemic.

Prof. Robert Booy is a paediatrician and Head, Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and has worked in the UK as a Research Fellow in Oxford, a Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Diseases in Oxford & London, a Wellcome Training Fellow in Genetic Epidemiology and was Professor of Child Health at Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of London. His research interests include epidemiology & prevention of influenza, varicella, HPV, Hib, pneumococcal and meningococcal disease.

Wednesday 19^th August, 6.30-7.30 pm   ‘Bigger but not better- the growing problem of childhood obesity. ‘

This talk will discuss how to determine if a child is obese, the health implications of obesity and present evidence from research on some of the determinants of obesity that relate not only to individuals and families but the wider community. The talk will conclude with recommendations for both the management and prevention of weight problems in children.

Dr Sarah Garnett is an NHMRC Australian Clinical Research Fallow and research dietitian in the Kids Research Institute at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. She has extensive research experience in children, nutrition and obesity. Her current research is aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes in high risk children, by implementing a comprehensive lifestyle (diet and exercise) intervention.

Ms Susie Burrell is one of Australia's leading dietitians. Susie holds both nutrition and psychology degrees and has specialised in weight management for children at The Children's Hospital at Westmead since 2003. Susie regularly appears in both print and electronic media and has a weekly column in The Sunday Telegraph.

Venue:

Both talks will be held at the Kids Research Institute, Kerry Packer Building at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, cnr of Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St Westmead

Walk down ambulance driveway (near the bus stop, on Hawkesbury Road), and turn left at the end to enter Research reception.

Kids Research Institute is a leading global translational research centre for children at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the largest paediatric centre in NSW. The Hospital provides the most advanced care and treatment options for children from NSW, Australia and across the Pacific Rim.

Cutting edge research contributes significantly to providing excellent clinical care.

Established in 1880, The Children's Hospital at Westmead is a stand-alone public Hospital and registered charity with 3,000 staff working in 150 departments. Over 60,000 sick children and their families are cared for each year in a family-focused, healing environment.

Funded by the NSW Government, The Children's Hospital at Westmead provides significant enhancements to services aided by the generosity of individual and corporate donors.  For more information visit http://www.chw.edu.au/

Media contact: Leonie Leonard, Public Relations Manager, The Children's Hospital at Westmead.  T: 02 9845 3583 a.h. 02 9845 0000 E-Mail: leoniel@chw.edu.au