CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The problem of obesity, especially among children, has risen to near epidemic proportions in recent years. To help address this problem, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will host a forum May 25-26 to examine the role that soy foods can play in managing a person's weight.
The forum will bring together food industry representatives, health-care professionals, dietitians and university scientists to review the latest research. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Center for Soy Foods, the National Soybean Research Laboratory, and the department of food science and human nutrition at Illinois. The soybean industry and Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board are helping to fund the forum.
Topics will include the challenge facing the U.S., human studies on soy and weight loss, industry perspectives, and the economic, cultural and sociological impacts of obesity.
The forum will be at the Hawthorn Suites, 101 Trade Center Drive, Champaign.
Registration is $195, with a reduced fee of $75 available for academic and government representatives. Student registration is $25.
Registration can be made by fax at 217-244-1707 or by mail to Megan Puzey, University of Illinois, 165 NSRC, 1101 W. Peabody Drive, Urbana, IL 61801.
Additional information is available by calling 217-244-1706 or by e-mail at obesityandsoy@illinois.edu.
Editor's note: The news media are welcome to attend the forum.