UGA global education forum to focus on obesity, food security and nutrition

University of Georgia faculty from multiple disciplines will discuss their efforts related to obesity, food security and nutrition during the seventh annual UGA Global Educational Forum April 2 in Grand Halls A, B and C at the Tate Student Center.

The UGA Global Educational Forum is an annual university-wide comprehensive platform for a dialogue on culture, teaching and research on topics relevant to a globalized economy. The forum brings together faculty scholars and students from across the university to share their perspectives and experiences related to this year’s theme, “Obesity, Food Security and Nutrition in Global Context.”

All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts based on review of literature, research studies or doctoral dissertations. Abstracts may also be related to ongoing research studies conducted within or outside the U.S. Submission deadline is March 25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

The conference will open with a keynote address titled, “The Global and the Local, the Physical and Mental: Anthropological Perspectives on the Causes and Consequences of Food Insecurity,” by Craig Hadley, an associate professor of anthropology at Emory University, from 8-9:15 a.m.

Jung Sun Lee, associate professor and faculty of gerontology from the department of foods and nutrition in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, will deliver a lecture titled, “Food Insecurity in Older Georgians,” from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Silvia Giraudo, associate dean and professor in the department of food and nutrition in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, will speak on “Nutrition among Latino Populations,” from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

The invitation-only luncheon will feature a keynote speech by Amara Azeamama, assistant professor in the department of biostatistics and epidemiology in UGA’s College of Public Health, titled, “Nutritional Status in Children from Resource Limited Settings,” from 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Students and visiting scholars will make poster presentations from 2-3:15 p.m.

Kevin McCully and Bryan McCullick, two professors in the College of Education’s department of kinesiology, will make panel presentations from 3:30-4:30 p.m. McCully will talk about, “Reducing Obesity in People with Disabilities: Partnering the University with the Community.” McCullick will speak on “Addressing Obesity Before it Starts, Physical Education and Activity in Schools.” Both will take questions following their presentations.

The UGA Global Educational Forum on Globalization is sponsored by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, department of kinesiology, African Studies Institute, Institute for Women Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, the Office of Institutional Diversity and the Office of International Education.

For more information, see www.coe.uga.edu/cuspa/conference.

– Michael Childs

Posted March 20, 2013.