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Cambridge Global Food Security

An Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge
 
Image by kgberlin from Pixabay: Chips and ketchup.

Please find the event report and recording here.

What harm does junk food really do us? Do we need legislation to control its consumption?

Recent research has found a connection between the dramatic global rise in cancer amongst people aged 20-49 and the increase in consumption of ultra-processed, or junk, food.

Yet the UK Government is reported to be considering scrapping some key healthy eating policies including the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, restrictions on unhealthy food promotions and advertising, and calorie labelling.

How will this impact the NHS? How do other countries regulate their citizens’ diets? Does the cost of living crisis alter the need for a healthy eating strategy?

Our distinguished panel of experts on public health and government policy, behaviour change and the genetics of obesity will unpack the issues, discuss possible solutions and answer your questions.

Our Panel:

Chair: Professor Carol Brayne, is Director of Cambridge Public Health, University of Cambridge where she is also Professor of Public Health Medicine. She was made a CBE in 2017 ‘for services to public health medicine’.

Speakers:

Professor Dame Theresa Marteau is Director of the Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge. She is a behavioural psychologist whose research focuses on changing behaviour to improve population health.

Professor Giles Yeo studies brain control of body-weight and is the author of Gene Eating, presenter of BBC2's Trust Me I'm a Doctor, and Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge. He was made an MBE in 2020 for services to 'Research, Communication and Engagement'.

Dr Dolly Theis is a Research Associate at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge. Her work is focused on what and who influences government obesity policymaking in England and previously on the link between child obesity and deprivation.

This event follows last year's Healthy eating: what makes it so hard?

Event organised with Cambridge Public Health.    

Date: 
Tuesday, 11 October, 2022 - 17:00 to 18:00
Event location: 
on-line