Human and Veterinary Healthcare Professionals Call for a ‘One Health’ Approach to Policy Discussions on Obesity

(05.12.2016) A vision of a world where regular activity, a balanced diet and healthy weight are part of every family’s life was set out at a recent conference.

Entitled ‘Preventing Obesity in People and their Pets: A One Health Approach,’ it was hosted by the One Health Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and brought together speakers from human and veterinary medicine to discuss the problem of obesity in humans and companion animals. 


Convened and chaired by Professor Michael Day, Chair of the WSAVA One Health Committee, the Conference took place from 10-11 November 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.  It was attended by more than 100 delegates with diverse backgrounds in human and animal healthcare.   

During the conference, speakers and delegates confirmed the importance of the One Health approach in control and prevention in obesity in people and their companion animals and called for the direct input of One Health proponents into the shaping of future public policy in this area.

The essential role of physical activity in maintaining a healthy weight in people and pets was also discussed with the success of community walking programmes highlighted because of the motivational role that walking with dogs can bring to the individuals concerned.

At the conclusion of the conference, speakers and delegates drafted a consensus statement on the One Health approach to obesity.  Proceedings from the meeting will be published as open-access manuscripts in the Journal of Comparative Pathology. 

Professor Michael Day said: “This was a milestone event for One Health, showcasing the key role of the human–small companion animal bond and the value of comparative research into spontaneously-arising companion animal disease states.  

We structured our discussions around three key themes - the biology of obesity and associated co-morbidities; the costs, behaviour and psychology of obesity; and One Health solutions to obesity.”

He added: “We paired human medical and veterinary speakers and asked them to review their assigned topic and lead a discussion with delegates. 

The enthusiasm with which both speakers and delegates tackled subjects that were often outside their comfort zone is what made this unique event so successful and it was inspiring to listen to medical doctors and veterinarians working collaboratively to develop solutions to this significant global challenge.”

Professor Day concluded: “We are particularly grateful for the support given to the meeting by our gold sponsors – Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mars Petcare and Purina - and our silver sponsor - Merck Animal Health – as well as the educational partners that worked with us to promote the conference.”

The event was live-streamed via Facebook, which enabled the content to be accessed by a further 3,500 ‘virtual delegates’ watching in real-time. 

The videos can be accessed on the One Health Committee Facebook page: www.facebook.com/onehealthonemedicine



Weitere Meldungen

Zoetis

WSAVA Kongress 2023: Zoetis setzt auf Weiterbildung und diagnostischen Fortschritt in der Tiermedizin

Zoetis nimmt am Kongress der World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) teil, der vom 27. bis 29. September 2023 in Lissabon, Portugal, stattfindet
Weiterlesen

Ewan Wolff ; Bildquelle: WSAVA

WSAVA Signs Up to PrideVMC Gender Identity Bill of Rights

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has signed up to a Gender Identity Bill of Rights (GIBOR) created by the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC)
Weiterlesen

Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous; Bildquelle: WSAVA

WSAVA Future Leader Award for Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous

Dr Muhammad Hasan Mahrous, an Egyptian veterinarian who qualified in 2018 and works at a veterinary clinic in Dubai
Weiterlesen

Faouzi Kechrid to Receive WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Faouzi Kechrid to Receive WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced that Tunisian veterinarian and WSAVA member representative for the country, is to be awarded the WSAVA’ s prestigious Award for Global Meritorious Service
Weiterlesen

Richard Casey; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Richard Casey ist the new Executive Director for World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Leadership advocate to accelerate progress in the delivery of the WSAVA’s goals
Weiterlesen

Michael J. Day; Bildquelle: WSAVA

Michael J. Day Scholarship Launched by WSAVA: Applications invited for the 2022 Scholarship

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is calling for applications for a new Scholarship launched in memory of Emeritus Professor Michael J. Day
Weiterlesen

WSAVA

WSAVA Calls for ‘Health-focused’ Breeding

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) shares the concerns recently expressed by the Norwegian court regarding the breeding of English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Weiterlesen

WSAVA

Nominations Invited for 2022 WSAVA Awards

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched its annual search for veterinarians and veterinary team members who are going the extra mile to advance the care of companion animals with the launch of its 2022 Awards
Weiterlesen


Wissenschaft


Universitäten


Neuerscheinungen