Two thirds of the US adult population and one third of the pediatric population is overweight or obese. The rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease parallel our societies increasing girth. These "adult" diseases are now commonly seen in our overweight and obese children. What does this mean for the future health and longevity of our children? What ultimate price will our nation pay with this trend? What are some of the factors contributing to this trend? Could WHAT we eat affect HOW much we eat? Who's really in charge of our food supply?

Dr. Robert Lustig will share some of his research findings and challenge some traditional thoughts on the causes of obesity. Join us to learn why obesity may not be all about lack of will power but related to the condition of our food supply and what it will take in Washington to prevent a health crisis. Walk away with an entirely different set of tips, tricks, best practices, and attitudes.

Speaker Biography:

Robert H. Lustig, M.D. is Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Lustig is a neuro-endocrinologist, with basic and clinical training relative to hypo-thalamic development, anatomy, and function. Dr. Lustig’s research focuses on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. He is currently investigating the contribution of nutritional, neural,hormonal, and genetic influences in the expression of the current obesity epidemic both in children and adults. Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT in 1976,and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1980. He is the author of many articles, chapters, and reviews on childhood obesity, including the recent volume “Obesity before birth”.