March 20, 2009

Annual food and nutrition lecture to focus on obesity

Barry M. Popkin, a professor in the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, will present "The world is fat - the trends, policies and products that are fattening the human race" at 10:30 a.m. in Pfendler Hall Auditorium, Room 241, during the 2009 Avanelle Kirksey Lecture.

A lunch reception will follow the lecture in Stone Hall's John Purdue Room.

Seating is limited. For reservations and information, call 765-494-7890 or 800-535-7303 by April 1.

Popkin, the Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, directs the university's Interdisciplinary Center for Obesity. He researches issues linked with dietary behavior, physical activity and obesity.

Popkin has a special interest in nutrition transition, the study of the dynamic shifts in dietary intake and physical activity patterns, and trends and obesity. He has conducted research in the United States, China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Norway and the Philippines.

In 1998 he received the Kellogg Prize for Outstanding Research in International Nutrition from the Society for International Nutrition Research. He also received the EV McCullom lecturer prize to speak to the American Society for Nutrition in 2008 and the International Congress of Nutrition in 2009.

The annual lecture series honors Kirksey, the Meredith Distinguished Professor Emerita in Purdue's department of foods and nutrition. Kirksey is known for her work in translating basic science into a better understanding of the relationship of diet to human behavior and cognition.

Gerber Products Co. and the endowment supported by Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories and alumni and friends of Kirksey are providing financial support for the lecture.

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Denise Buhrmester, 765-496-3663, dmbuhrmester@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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