In July 2008 the successful Population Health Congress 2008 - A Global World - practical action for health and well-being was held in Brisbane, Queensland, 6 - 9 July 2008.

With over 1,300 delegates this event was hosted by the 4 leading public health organisations in Australia: The Australian Health Promotion Association, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australasian Epidemiological Association and the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. For information about this event go to:

www.populationhealthcongress.org.au

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting evidence-based practice in the planning and implementation of effective health promotion action. The practical use of evidence promises better health outcomes by informing practitioners, program planners and funding bodies as they develop and select health promotion strategies, methods and activities.

www.health.vic.gov.au/healthpromotion/quality/evidence_index.htm

While the origins of overweight and obesity are complex, a lack of physical activity is a significant contributing factor. Normal regulation of body weight occurs when energy intake equals energy expenditure. A simplified model of weight regulation shows that weight gain may result when there is inadequate physical activity (energy expenditure) to balance our food consumption (energy intake).

Given the importance of physical activity in the maintenance of healthy weight, NSW Health is committed to a range of initiatives to encourage the NSW community to participate in a more active lifestyle. Descriptions of some of these initiatives can be found within this section.

For more information...

www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/health-promotion/activity/obesity/index.html