FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 1999
Media contact: 800-877-1600
Tom Ryan, ext. 4894, [email protected]
Lori Ferme, ext. 4802, [email protected]
Bridget McManamon, ext. 4769, [email protected]
FOOD SAFETY, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, OBESITY, THE ENVIRONMENT: AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION'S 82ND ANNUAL MEETING
What are the challenges of providing and sustaining an adequate, safe, nutritious food supply, in this country and around the world? What is the latest information on potential benefits and risks of functional foods and nutrition supplements? How effective is modifying behavior in combating obesity, among children and adults?
Those are just some of the critical food and nutrition issues to be addressed at the American Dietetic Association's 82nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Oct. 18-21 in Atlanta, Ga. More than 10,000 dietetics and other food and health-care professionals and government and industry leaders will attend the meeting, to be held at Atlanta's World Congress Center.
They will hear about advances in scientific and medical research and participate in hundreds of presentations, lectures, panel discussions, culinary demonstrations and workshops. More than 300 exhibitors -- corporations, government and nonprofit agencies -- will showcase products, services and educational materials.
The theme of the meeting is "The Future is Now: Dietetics 2000." According to Ft. Wayne, Ind., registered dietitian and ADA President Ann Gallagher: "The Annual Meeting and Exhibition helps ensure our members receive the latest information on the most important food and nutrition issues. And it prepares dietetics professionals to best serve consumers and society into the next century.
"The issues we are talking about -- food safety, children's health, obesity -- are the cutting-edge stories for the new millennium."
For journalists, ADA's Annual Meeting is nationally recognized as an important one-stop source of authoritative and up-to-date nutrition and health information and expertise. Speakers will focus on some of the most critical nutrition-related issues facing the country, including:
* The epidemic of obesity, especially among children
* Social and environmental issues affecting the worldwide food supply
* Food safety and safe food handling practices in the home
* The exploding array of facts (and myths) about nutrition supplements
* Scientific research on the health benefits of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids
* Health and nutrition issues facing women, especially in midlife and beyond
* The role of dairy foods in preventing colon cancer
* Reducing risk factors for heart disease
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, ADA's new national consumer-education campaign "Home Food Safety"¢It's in Your Hands" formally will be unveiled.
In partnership with the ConAgra Foundation, the three-year campaign will provide Americans with simple tips on keeping their families safe from food-borne illness in their homes. Gallagher and ConAgra CEO Bruce Rohde officially will kick off the campaign.
Food and nutrition researchers will present results of hundreds of original, peer-reviewed scientific studies, on topics ranging from medical nutrition therapy and nutrition science to community nutrition, public health and nutrition education. Some presentations will be informal group question-and-answer sessions, others will be poster sessions featuring one-on-one discussions with researchers.
Several culinary demonstrations are scheduled for the Annual Meeting, including "traditional Latin foods in the American kitchen," "the magic of tofu" and "innovative healthy recipes using tomato ketchup."
With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.
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