U-sydney launch World-first WHO centre in physical activity, nutrition and obesity

WHO Centre in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity

A new World Health Organization centre has been launched at the University of Sydney, and aims to increase the role of prevention in reducing non-communicable diseases including obesity, diabetes, chronic lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity has been established under the auspices of WHO's Head Office in Geneva to influence policy and public health work on chronic disease prevention globally.

In particular, the Centre will focus on physical activity promotion, public health nutrition, obesity prevention and diabetes prevention, and will work in developed and developing countries, as chronic disease is prevalent in most countries across the globe.

The Centre will be based within the University of Sydney's Boden Institute and Prevention Research Collaboration, and will be directed by Professors Adrian Bauman and Stephen Colagiuri from Sydney Medical School's School of Public Health and the Boden Institute.

Directors

Professor Adrian Bauman, Sesquicentenary Professor of Public Health is renowned for his work on the epidemiology of physical activity. In recent years he has researched how reducing 'sitting time' could prevent the development of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Professor Stephen Colagiuri, Professor of Metabolic Health is a recognised expert in diabetes, its epidemiology and cost, and its prevention through lifestyle modification. He is a strong advocate of evidence-based care and prevention.