*Note: Due to COVID-19, this event has been moved to a virtual meeting.
Obesity Canada is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Central Ontario WLS, a well-established support group and patient conference for bariatric patients in Ontario to support the Spring Fling. The conference, which takes place from May 29-31, 2020 at the Toronto Marriott Markham, will bring together upwards of 300 individuals who have had, or are considering, bariatric surgery for a weekend of learning, support and community!
The theme of this year is “Find the Joy in Your Journey” which is an important part of any treatment and management effort for obesity. As individuals living with obesity, our ability to successfully manage this chronic disease, in addition to whatever evidence-based treatment options we are utilizing, can be positively impacted by improving our self-care, happiness and finding joy in our new journey. Often times this comes down to recognizing the complexities of this disease and accepting that there are many factors outside of our individual control. It is also important to find support and recognize that we are not alone, which is why Obesity Canada is partnering with this event as part of our mission to improve the lives of Canadians living with obesity through research, education and advocacy.
As part of our partnership, Obesity Canada is sponsoring two keynote speakers for the event.
Arya M. Sharma MD/PhD, FRCPC
Dr. Sharma is the Scientific Director of Obesity Canada, Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta and one of the world’s foremost obesity experts. Dr. Sharma is one of the authors of the upcoming Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults and will be discussing the science of obesity, why it is so difficult to lose weight and what we can do about it.
Jennifer Brown MSc., RD
Ms. Brown is a Registered Dietitian with the Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence. Her research focuses on weight regain after bariatric surgery. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Ms. Brown is also one of the authors for the Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults, an expert member of the American and Canadian Dietitian associations, Chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network Dietitian Working Group and the provincial lead for the eConsult Champlain LHIN in bariatric nutrition.
Anyone interested in attending this spectacular event can do so by going to the event page at https://centralontariowls.com/spring-fling/. Registration is $130 per person.
Anyone registering for the event will be entered into a draw for one of 6 $500 awards, all you have to do is indicate that you are willing to join the Obesity Canada newsletter mailing list while you register for the event. Awards will be handed out at the conference by Obesity Canada Representatives.
