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Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG Update

Christie A. Befort, PhD, Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG Co-Chair
Nikki Nollen, PhD, Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG Co-Chair

The Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG strives to provide networking, mentorship, and scientific training to those interested in obesity and eating disorders. We value interdisciplinary collaboration, and for the past two years have worked to strengthen ties with other SBM SIGs. We hosted cross-SIG meetings at the 2010 and 2011 Annual Meetings with the Diabetes and Physical Activity SIGs. During the meeting in 2011, the group of attendees brainstormed ideas for symposia and pre-conference workshops for the 2012 Annual Meeting. These ideas helped shape a pre-conference workshop being sponsored by the Diabetes SIG titled "Integrating Qualitative Research into Behavioral Science: Expanding How We Think About Human Behavior."

At the 2012 meeting, the Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG is sponsoring two symposia and a cross-SIG meeting. The first symposium, titled "The Role of Brain and Appetite and Obesity: New Insights from Neuroimaging Studies," will include presentation of four innovative studies utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to better understand neural mechanisms underlying food motivation in adults and children. The second symposium, titled "Energy Balance Interventions for Enhancing Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship," will highlight four recently completed or on-going clinical trials addressing weight control and physical activity among breast cancer survivors, with attention to anthropomorphic, quality of life, and biomarker outcomes. Finally, the Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG and the Behavioral Informatics SIG are co-hosting a networking meeting to discuss and plan a joint symposium or workshop for the 2013 Annual Meeting on using technology in obesity intervention. We are excited about the upcoming Annual Meeting and invite anyone interested to attend our meeting and symposia.

This year, both Dr. Nollen's and Dr. Befort's terms as co-chairs of the Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG will expire. We are now accepting nominations for new co-chairs and will hold an election via the SIG Listserv prior to the Annual Meeting. Please send your nominations to either Dr. Nollen or Dr. Befort, and look for the call for votes from the Listserv. The incoming co-chairs will begin their term at the close of the 2012 Annual Meeting.

Nikki Nollen (nnollen@kumc.edu)
Christie Befort (cbefort@kumc.edu)

 

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