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Centre for Obesity Research

‘We may be the first generation in history where our children will die before their parents’.

Worldwide, 300 million adults are clinically obese, facing a reduced life expectancy and increased risk of cancer, kidney failure, heart disease and diabetes. Immediate action is needed to slow down and eventually halt the obesity epedemic; our centre will meet this challenge.

The need

While we can educate the population who are overweight to eat less and exercise more, this does not help those who are already obese. Further research is needed into how we can effectively treat obese patients. The obesity epidemic is a huge burden on both the UK economy and the NHS; our work will reduce this burden.

The solution

The centre will pioneer new treatments for obesity and its life-threatening effects and conduct high-impact PhD-led research into the causes of obesity and it complications in adults and children from different ethnic groups. It will also implement motivational strategies for healthier lifestyles.

Why Birmingham

The University is located in a large, ethnically diverse city with the third highest obesity rate in the country. This means our researchers have access to one of the largest and most varied groups of obese patients in the country.

Birmingham has a number of world-class facilities within which obesity research is already taking place, such as the 6* rated Sport and Exercise Sciences Department, and established links with NHS services.

The result

• Greater understanding of the causes of obesity leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
• Research that informs government and NHS policies and can be taken into communities.
• Increased numbers of fresh academic talent undertaking obesity research at Birmingham.

How you can help

To establish a Centre for Obesity Research, initial funding is needed for bespoke research programmes. There is also a need for funding four PhD studentships to undertake new collaborative projects across key research areas.

Match funding means that for every £3 donated to the University the government will donate £1 until 2011; for further information, contact Andrew Harris +44 (0)121 414 2708 or Michael Mills +44 (0)121 415 8751.