Media Release

Thursday, 23 August 2007

Is childhood obesity the product of our media culture and what are the health costs to society? Four key researchers will debate these questions at the University of Adelaide's annual Open Day this Sunday, 26 August.

The childhood obesity debate is one of two Forum sessions being held on the North Terrace campus this year. The second session will discuss whether the Federal Government is doing enough to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country.

Both issues are highly topical and promise to attract robust public debate in the Eclipse Room, Level 4, Union House on the University's grounds, at 11am and 2pm.

Leading Australian demographer and Federation Fellow Professor Graeme Hugo will lead a panel of four University of Adelaide researchers in the childhood obesity discussion in the morning.

He will be joined by marketing expert Claire Sherman, Head of Media Dr Mary Griffiths and psychologist Dr Lisa Kettler.

The 2pm panel will feature climate change experts Professor Andrew Lowe, Professor Gus Nathan, economist Professor Christopher Findlay and environmental activist Professor Timothy Doyle. The four-member panel will debate the Federal Government's response to climate change in Australia.

The Forum is one of the most popular additions to Open Day in recent years. Leading University of Adelaide researchers address big community issues in a panel format that gives the audience a chance to interact, ask questions and have their say.

Entry is free.