The worldwide obesity epidemic has led to a dramatic change in the nature of common diseases – including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and pulmonary hypertension – and a corresponding need for clinicians to gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved. In an effort to address this need, the University of Vermont College of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine hosted the second biennial symposium highlighting research in the emerging field of obesity and lung disease. Titled “Obesity & Metabolism: An Emerging Frontier in Health and Disease,” the conference took place at UVM’s Davis Center September 30 through October 2, 2013.

The symposium brought together researchers in obesity, nutrition, food science and other related disciplines focused on human health and international leaders in the field of obesity and metabolism and obesity and lung disease. In addition to lecture-based presentations, the event featured group discussions and poster sessions for both senior and junior investigators. See the symposium schedule.

Meeting organizers – including Anne Dixon, M.D., UVM professor of medicine and director of pulmonary and critical care medicine, Benjamin Suratt, M.D., UVM associate professor of medicine and associate director of pulmonary and critical care medicine, Stephanie Shore, Ph.D., senior lecturer on physiology, Harvard School of Public Health, and Njira Lugogo, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, Duke University School of Medicine – say the purpose of the meeting is “to review the current state of knowledge pertaining to the effects of obesity on lung disease, with the ultimate goal of identifying research priorities to guide patient care in the 21st Century.”

A report of the symposium will be assembled and published following the meeting. For registration fee and additional information, visit Obesity and Metabolism.

Sponsors of the symposium include the UVM College of Medicine and UVM Departments of Medicine and Surgery; Vermont Lung Center; Vermont Immunobiology and Infectious Disease Program; Astra Zeneca; and Boehringer Ingelheim.

PUBLISHED

09-26-2013
Jennifer Nachbur