According to recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a decline in childhood obesity rates across some communities in the United States. However, much work remains to reduce the estimated two-thirds of adults and 33 percent of kids and teens who are overweight or obese. The 2014 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Symposium hopes to be part of the solution to this public health challenge by identifying ways to reduce obesity in America through prevention.
The conference, which takes place Sept. 21-23 in Atlanta, is titled Prevention of Obesity: Overcoming a 21st Century Public Health Challenge. Ms. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, is the keynote speaker. Additionally, Dr. Michael Lauer, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is a featured speaker.
The Symposium will include presentations from faculty and administrators from the 14 SEC universities, breakout sessions, poster exhibitions, and a reception with SEC presidents, chancellors, and provosts to which all attendee are invited.
Established by the Southeastern Conference’s presidents and chancellors, the SEC Symposium is an annual academic conference designed to address significant issues by utilizing the range of disciplinary strengths of all 14 SEC member universities. These universities include: University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, University of South Carolina, Texas A&M University, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, University of Missouri, University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University.
For more information, please visit the 2014 SEC conference website.