New Zealand's obesity epidemic will be highlighted during a major scientific conference being held in Dunedin this week to mark the centenary of the University of Otago School of Physiotherapy.
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia, who is also Minister of Disability Issues, will give the opening address when the conference's main sessions begin at the university on Friday. About 360 people, many from the North Island, will also attend centennial-related events this week, including a gathering for physiotherapy graduates which will be formally opened at a function this evening. The alumni gathering celebrates ''100 Years of Education, Research and Practice'' and continues until Friday.
A centennial history, titled In Our Hands, will be launched, and a film, School of Physiotherapy through the Eras, will be screened.
Alumni from several countries, including Canada, Australia and Malaysia, will attend. The heads of physiotherapy schools throughout Australia and New Zealand will also meet.
Associate Prof Leigh Hale, of the physiotherapy school, who is co-ordinating the two-day scientific conference, said obesity-related issues were a major challenge for New Zealand and the physiotherapy profession and would be among the many topics discussed.
Organisers said the value of increased physical exercise in countering obesity would also be highlighted.
Prof Hale was optimistic obesity could be successfully countered in New Zealand, but a ''concerted effort'' by everyone involved would be required.
Prof Jeff Basford, of the Mayo Clinic, in the United States, and Prof Steven Wolf, of Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, are among the international speakers.
Dr Margot Skinner, the physiotherapy school's deputy dean, said the anniversary of the school's founding in 1913 marked an important milestone for the university and for the New Zealand physiotherapy profession.
''New Zealand has always been a leader in physiotherapy. It's important to celebrate that,'' she said.
The school and other members of the physiotherapy profession were providing innovative and effective programmes for countering obesity, and physiotherapists also had a key role to play in associated education.
