5th Canadian Obesity Summit

Dear Colleagues,

Planning is under way for the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit – a unique interdisciplinary conference designed to share current understanding of the causes, complications, treatments and prevention approaches for obesity.

The Summit is as much a networking event as it is a cutting-edge research conference, and it also features dedicated tracts for health practitioners and inspiring workshops organized by groups working in the obesity space. In 2017, CON plans to welcome 650+ delegates to the Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel.

Watch for abstract submission and registration dates – the Summit sells out quickly!

Multidisciplinary focus for all areas of interest:

• Prevention and Public Health
• Treatment & Management
• Psychology & Mental Health
• Environments Conducive to Healthy Lifestyles
• Diet, Physical Activity & Healthy Living
• Maternal & Fetal Origins
• Health Law & Health Policy
• Molecular Biology, Genetics & Physiology
• Neuroscience of Ingestive Behaviour
• Advertising to Children & School Programs
• Weight Bias & Discrimination

The 5th Canadian Obesity Summit will be the premier learning and networking event for:

• Health professionals
• Researchers
• Policy makers
• Industries related to obesity prevention & management
• Media

We look forward to welcoming you to Banff, Alberta.

With kind regards,

Dr. Arya M. Sharma, MD/PhD, FRCPC
Scientific Director, Canadian Obesity Network

Ian Janssen, PhD
Chair, Science Committee, Canadian Obesity Network

TOPS New Investigator Research Award

This award recognizes an individual for a singular achievement or their career contributions to research in the field of obesity. This award is made possible through an annual grant from the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). The award recipient will receive a plaque, a $2,500 prize, and a travel grant to attend the Canadian Obesity Summit. The award will be presented during a plenary session at which the recipient will be invited to present the TOPS New Investigator Research Award Lecture. Award recipients must be able to attend the Canadian Obesity Summit, Banff Springs, Alberta April 25-29, 2017).

The nomination should include:
1. A letter of recommendation (signed by two members of the Canadian Obesity Network, one of whom must hold a faculty position; contact information must be provided) stating:
a. Your reasons for nominating the individual
b. The nominee’s qualifications for the specified award
c. A summary of the nominee’s research contributions to the field of obesity
2. The nominee’s complete CV including nominee’s complete contact information, current position and academic affiliation.
3. Two (2) to three (3) manuscripts that highlight the nominee’s research

Candidates must:

hold a health professional degree or a PhD degree;
demonstrated success as an independent investigator;
not be registered for a higher degree at the time of receiving the award;
hold an appointment as an independent investigator at the time of being nominated and taking up the award,
have held a faculty or research appointment (e.g., faculty appointment providing eligibility to apply for grants and/or supervise trainees) for a period of no more than 10 years. Time spent in research appointments in a non-academic setting (e.g., industry, government) count towards the 10 year limit if the candidate has been actively engaged in research, as demonstrated by the candidate’s publication record, and the candidate was not considered to be in training (e.g., as a student or postdoctoral fellow). Maternity/paternity and/or sick leave will not count towards the 10 year limit.
Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
Four senior members (one from each CIHR pillar) of the CON Science Committee and/or membership will evaluate the application packages.

Communication Requirements
1. Acknowledgement of CON/TOPS Support
2. The official award name is TOPS New Investigator Research Award. The award name must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the award

Application Deadline: Monday January 23rd, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Applications should be assembled in a single PDF file and submitted to summit@obesitynetwork.ca at the Canadian Obesity Network (Phone:780-492-8361; Fax:780-492-9414). Decisions will be announced in the new year.

CON-RCO Distinguished Lecturer Award
The CON-RCO Distinguished Lecturer Award will be presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the obesity research community in Canada. The recipient will be announced at the opening ceremonies of the Canadian Obesity Summit, and will deliver an opening address.

New – COS 2017 Student Travel Awards
Deadline extended to Friday February 10, 2017, 4:00 pm MT. New this year, we are please to announce that Weight Watchers Canada is helping to support a limited number of full time students who have had an abstract successfully submitted to the Canadian Obesity Summit. For more information and to apply please click here for the application and application instructions.

Oral and Poster Awards for Students
Up to $10,000 in prizes for best student poster and oral presentations will be awarded at the Summit.
Award winners must be present at the Summit to accept prizes in person.

Guidelines for Media Passes

Passes to the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit will be issued to journalists working for or on behalf of accredited news organizations, and who are attending the conference to produce editorial coverage.

The following types of media are eligible to attend:

• Newspapers (print, online), magazines, wire services
• Broadcast media
• Trade media focusing on topics related to obesity prevention and/or management
• Freelance writers who can produce proof of an assignment to cover the Summit or parts of it

Bloggers who can demonstrate recent posts on topics relevant to health practitioners or the general public and related to the prevention and treatment of obesity, and who have an established audience, may request a media pass.

A limited number of passes are available. Media representatives may be required to produce identification (business cards, accredited press credentials, etc.) and proof of assignment on official letterhead from an editor/producer at recognized news organizations.

The Canadian Obesity Network reserves the right to grant press/blogger access to the Summit on a case-by-case basis and to withdraw accreditation at any time.

Contact Brad Hussey, CON-RCO Communications Director, to request passes: hussey@obesitynetwork.ca