Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050440
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-15   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

OBESITY IS CONFERENCE TOPIC

That's a heavy question, but it's a problem for millions of Americans. It's also one of the most difficult problems to overcome; some experts say even more difficult than alcoholism.

"Fat people have been told to push themselves away from the table. They've been asked why they don't have more self-control. And they've been told they're failures, but they aren't," said Joseph H. McVoy Jr., director of the eating disorders program at St. Albans Psychiatric Hospital in Radford.

The hospital is sponsoring a seminar on obesity Monday and Tuesday at Mountain Lake.

"Treating Obesity in the '90s: Realities and New Directions, an International Meeting for Clinicians," is an attempt to bring obesity experts together find a consensus on treatment.

The conference is open to the public. McVoy said it could help people learn what's happening to their bodies and how they can deal with it. "You've got to respect yourself," McVoy said. "People are carrying all that extra baggage besides the weight."

One of the most controversial aspects of the conference will be a discussion on whether obesity should be treated and, if so, how.

Some reports suggest that treatment causes more problems because people are hurt when they're put on too many diets and continually fail.

One speakers will be researcher Dr. Janet Polivy, who will discuss the dangers of dieting. She is a professor at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Susan Wooley, a director of the Eating Disorder Clinic at the University of Cincinnati Medical College, will discuss "Obesity Treatment: Broken Promises and Lost Opportunities."

Psychologist Nancy Barron will discuss "A Feminist Perspective on Fatness and Body Image" on Tuesday at 1 p.m. She coordinates an emergency mental health services program, teaches at Portland State University and is founder and president of Ample Opportunity. She teaches fat women bellydancing and her message to women concerns self-acceptance.

"The reality is that obesity is not gender specific, but more women than men are overweight," McVoy said, citing genetics and the need to diet as culprits.

Four other speakers from the U.S., Canada and Belgium will discuss treating obesity in adults and children.

McVoy hopes the conference will also make people aware of the underregulation of obesity treatment. `Beauticians need licenses, but a high-school dropout can treat obesity," said McVoy, who hopes the meeting will initiate a professional clinical association.

The conference begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. Monday. One-day registration is $90; the two-day conference costs $150. The cost is $110 for full-time students. Call 639-9301 for information.