The Truth About Diets: Cutting Through the Noise

Obesity is a major public health problem which affects life expectancy and costs billions. It’s also a complex and confusing topic and there is a bewildering array of – often conflicting – information out there about its causes and what we need to do to maintain a healthy body weight. So how can we distinguish between robust scientific evidence and ‘fake news’. In this session, Professor Jason Gill aims to make you an instant expert on diet and obesity by providing evidence-based answers to some of the questions you always wanted to ask on the topic, including: why can some people get fat and stay healthy, but for others even a very small increase in weight can lead to poor health? Which aspects of diet most affect how much we eat and our body weight? Should we be concerned about ultra-processed foods?

During the expert session, Jason Gill engages the audience through a Q&A chat, an interactive Mentimeter app activity, and sharing scientific data on diet benefits and recommendations. 

• Understanding Weight Variability: Learn why some people can gain weight without adverse health effects, while others face health issues even with minor weight gain.
• Impact of Diet on Weight: Discover which aspects of diet most influence eating habits and body weight.
• Concerns About Ultra-Processed Foods: Examine the role of ultra-processed foods in obesity and overall health.

Obesity is a significant public health issue with profound impacts on life expectancy and economic costs, running into billions annually. The topic of obesity is both complex and confusing, characterized by a plethora of often conflicting information regarding its causes and solutions for maintaining a healthy body weight. With so much misinformation and 'fake news' circulating, it can be challenging to discern between robust scientific evidence and misleading claims. This session aims to clarify these uncertainties and provide a clearer understanding of the science behind obesity and diet.

Professor Jason Gill will guide you through the intricacies of diet and obesity, offering evidence-based answers to some of the most pressing questions on the subject. You’ll learn about why some individuals can gain weight and remain healthy, while others experience adverse health effects from even minor weight increases. The session will also explore which dietary factors most significantly impact eating behaviors and body weight, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the role of various dietary components in weight management.

Additionally, the discussion will tackle the concerns surrounding ultra-processed foods and their impact on health. By the end of the session, participants will have a more nuanced understanding of obesity, equipped with practical knowledge to make informed decisions about diet and weight management based on scientific evidence rather than sensationalist information.

The Truth about Exercise

Should we all be hitting the gym three times a week, doing yoga, HIIT training or simply getting in our 10,000 step per day? How much does physical activity affect your bodyweight and is this affected by your genes? Does carrying too much weight make you less active? Does how we measure physical activity influence how much we need to do? Should we worry about sitting too much? And if you are strong and fit can you get away with being inactive? With new exercise fads cropping up, seemingly, by the day, how are we supposed to know what to do to stay healthy? In this interactive session, Professor Jason Gill reveals what science can really tell us about how much we need to move to maximise our chances of a healthy life.