Graduate School Public Lectures

Obesity lessons learned at home and around the world

Tues. April 21, 2015       6:30 p.m.

Kane Hall 120, UW Campus

In this lecture, pioneering researcher and professor of epidemiology Shiriki Kumanyika expands on her efforts to improve the research on weight issues in African American communities, addressing the disproportionately high risk of diet-related chronic diseases experienced by African Americans.

Shiriki Kumanyika, Ph.D., M.P.H., is professor of epidemiology in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and in the Nutrition Section of the Department of Pediatrics, and associate dean for health promotion and disease prevention at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Her global perspective on obesity stems from her long time involvement with the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) — now known as the Policy and Prevention Section of the World Obesity Federation, of which she is one of two co-chairs.

As the sophistication of science and medicine advances, our understanding of health and wellness for individuals, families and nations grows beyond the mere measure of waistlines. Presented by University of Washington Graduate School and the UWAA, the Weight & Wellness Lecture Series approaches topic of body and size with consideration to socioeconomic structures, nutritional disparity in food sources, brain chemistry, environmental influences and more, showing us that, for human health, it is not always our conventional wisdom that holds the most weight.

For more information, contact the UW Alumni Association at 206-543-0540 or uwalumni@uw.edu.