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Loughborough academic achieves international society post

Posted on 28/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

Loughborough academic achieves international society post

Loughborough University’s former head of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES) has been named President of an international society which focuses on research into obesity, physical activity and nutrition.

Professor Stuart Biddle, who led the SSES from 2001-2007, is named President Elect of the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) with immediate effect and will take up the role of President in June 2009.

Founded in 2001, ISBNPA reports research and supports academics working in behavioural nutrition and physical activity fields, with much of its members’ work focussing on obesity and inactivity.

Professor Biddle has been a member of the Society’s executive committee for the last year and was a key note speaker at the recent annual conference in Banff, Canada, where he was formally announced as a future President.

Professor Biddle’s main interests are in behavioural aspects of physical inactivity, activity and health, including motivational and emotional aspects of physical activity and exercise. He was previously President of the European Federation of Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity and is looking forward to taking up another senior role within an academic membership organisation.

“I feel very honoured to be named President of the International Society for Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity,” he said. “Because of the increasing importance of research into obesity and associated areas, it’s a very exciting time to be involved with this organisation.

“As President Elect my main responsibility is to manage the annual conference in Lisbon next year. As President I will chair the executive committee which is responsible for making decisions about the organisation and its direction. I am also working on an ambassador programme to develop links with countries not well represented in our area of work.”

The 2008 Annual Meeting of The International Society For Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity took place in Banff, Canada, from 21-24 May. Other Loughborough staff members speaking at the conference included Dr Trish Gorely, Dr Oliver Webb and PhD student Andy Atkin.