Support WHO and its member countries in the development, implementation and evaluation of population-based strategies for the prevention and control of obesity Provide a clearing-house ™ role for evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of obesity prevention programs and interventions. Provide expert advice on obesity-related matters such as definitions of overweight and obesity for different ethnic groups, the economic costs of obesity, population-based recommendations for obesity prevention Undertake research into the causes and control of obesity. Support WHO and other key institutions to increase the capacity and capabilities of people in the region in obesity prevention.

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention and Related Research and Training will be officially launched by Deakin University ™s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Walker and WHO representatives Dr Robert Beaglehole and Dr Linda Milan on Monday 22 April at 4pm at the Deakin Melbourne campus at Toorak.

The launch will follow an International Obesity Taskforce workshop being hosted by Deakin University. The recommendations from this workshop will strengthen the evidence-based approach to obesity prevention and provide critical information to the World Health Assembly meeting being held in May discuss WHO ™s draft global strategy on diet, physical activity and health.

For further information contact: Professor John Catford (03) 9244 6020, 0407 850 056 Professor Boyd Swinburn, program manager, (03) 9251 7096, 0407 539 941