CUSPA Laboratory

2013 Global Educational Forum: Faculty Oral Presentations

Where: Grand Hall, 5^th Floor Tate Student Center

Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2013

8:00am – 9:15am: Keynote Speech

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Craig Hadley, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Emory University

Title: The global and the local, the physical and the mental: Anthropological perspectives on the causes and consequences of  food insecurity

 

The global food crisis of 2008 reinvigorated interest in food security, or the ability of households to reliably access food. In this talk, I review current trends in global food insecurity and ongoing efforts to measure this important construct. I then draw on data from East Africa to illustrate the ways in which local cultural norms pattern the occurrence of food insecurity and how these patterns might be altered by global economic forces. I also use this case study to also draw attention to the impact of food insecurity on adolescents and the non-nutritional consequences of food insecurity.

9:30am – 10:45am

Featured Speaker: Jung Sun Lee, Associate Professor and Faculty of Gerontology Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, The University of Georgia

Title: Food Insecurity in Older Georgians

Food insecurity is a unique, hidden, and growing problem in older adults associated with deleterious effects on nutrition, health, and well-being. Older adults in Georgia are at increased risk of food insecurity due to heightened burden of poverty, chronic diseases, and disability; however, little is known about the status of food insecurity among them. This presentation will introduce a series of collaborative research projects that have been conducted to better understand the nature, extent, and prevention of food insecurity in older Georgians since 2007. The findings, experiences, and lessons learned from these projects will be discussed with regards to how collaborative efforts among researchers, policy makers, and frontline administrators could provide an essential basis to enhance the capacity of nutrition research, nutrition assistance, aging services, public health, and communities to promote food security and healthy aging in vulnerable ever-increasing older population.

11:00am – 12:15pm

Featured Speaker: Dr. Silvia Giraudo, Associate Dean, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, The University of Georgia

Title: Nutrition Among Latino Populations

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic condition that currently affects 15.3% of US children (ages 6-11).  The condition has many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood.  In the last two decades, the rates for overweight children and adults have increased more than 15%.  Latinos and their children have been particularly affected by the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Thus, as Latinos are a major segment of the US population and make up a significant portion of obese or overweight in the U.S., prevention of obesity should be a major focus for the community and the nation.

12:30-1:45pm: Lunch and Keynote Speech (by invitation only)

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Amara Azeamama, Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia

Title: Malnutrition, Anemia and Cognitive Impairment in Children from Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

Malnutrition is a central contributor to morbidity and mortality in human populations.   It is associated with adverse health effects throughout the life-course.  Its experience in childhood is especially detrimental and linked to both acute and long-lasting morbidity.  This presentation will explore the complex and interwoven etiology of child malnutrition.  The roles of poverty, helminth infections and polyparasitism will be highlighted with emphasis on children from resource-limited settings. Study specific illustrations of suboptimal child health outcomes in relation to helminth infections, polyparasitism and poverty will be provided in light of published epidemiology research.

3:30am – 4:30pm

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Kevin McCully, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, The University of Georgia

Title: Reducing obesity in people with disabilities: partnering the university with the community

Obesity is on the rise and this is increasingly true in people with disabilities.  The opportunities for people with disabilities to improve fitness and eat healthy are limited, and this puts them at a disadvantage. This presentation will cover the components of establishing wellness programs for people with disabilities.

-       Addressing the present state: Review statistics on people with disabilities and the health complications associated with obesity.

-       Programs for people with physical disabilities:  The different models, evidence for success, and potential sustainability.

-       Programs for people with intellectual disabilities: The different models, evidence for success, and potential sustainability.

The aim of this presentation is to stimulate awareness of the health needs of people with disabilities as well as how new and creative approaches can be used to address this important problem.

Dr. Bryan McCullick, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, The University of Georgia

Title: Addressing obesity before it starts, physical education and activity in schools

Once known as an ancillary subject matter in schools or as a “break” for classroom teachers, physical education (PE) has been enjoying a resurgence as a school subject that is lauded (although not always in practice) as indispensable as math or science.  This comes as physicians and educators have recognized and publicly extoled school-based PE and physical activity (PA) programs as having the best opportunities to offer an important dose of “preventative medicine” in the fight against obesity.  While neither are a panacea, there is little doubt among experts in medicine and science that quality school-based PE and PA programs are essential in the prevention of childhood obesity.

However, there are roadblocks that must be recognized and navigated, if not eliminated, in order for school-based PE and PA to have any impact. This portion of the presentation has three aims:  (a) Making a case for school-based PE and PA programs’ contributions to a child’s physical education and PA levels; (b) Highlight roadblocks to reaping the possible benefits of school-based PE and PA programs; (c) Offer ideas for how schools and communities can make small inroads into increasing school-based PE and PA opportunities and quality.

2013 Global Educational Forum Sponsors:

African Studies Institute
College of Education
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Department of Kinesiology
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate School
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute
Institute for Women’s Studies
Office of Institutional Diversity
Office of International Education