Professor John Broom, Consultant in Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine at NHS Grampian, will join RGU on a 50% basis, bringing to the University the management of a UK-wide research programme on obesity.
The Counterweight Programme is an initiative that aims to develop and evaluate appropriate Primary Care based therapy of obesity and its associated diseases. Professor Broom is the current Chairman of Counterweight: this programme brings together expertise from obesity management specialists from seven centres throughout the UK. Counterweight has already published data from the largest cross-sectional survey of obesity and its associated diseases ever carried out, and has now entered its interactive phase within selected Primary Care practices.
Further obesity and other nutrition related research is also on Professor Broom's programme to be based at RGU. This includes links with expertise in Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the Rowett Research Institute. Professor Broom, in association with other researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and St Andrews and NHS Tayside, has recently published results of research commissioned by the Department of Health evaluating current treatment strategies for obesity and was invited to give evidence to the Health Services Select Committee on the Counterweight Programme.
Professor Broom said, "Scotland has one of the worst obesity records in Europe and this brings with it associated health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. The Counterweight Programme aims to make a significant difference by recommending treatments that are most likely to help an individual patient lose weight. This could include a group programme, individual intervention of goal setting or eating plans, referral to local exercise schemes or the use of anti-obesity medication."
The research, which will run until 2006, is hoped to form the basis of future good practice in the management of obesity and is expected to make a significant contribution to the health of the nation. Professor Broom explains, "Even modest reductions in weight can be associated with health benefits - reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides can be achieved with just a 5-10% reduction in initial body weight."
Professor Jim Penman, Vice Principal of RGU said, "Research at RGU is all about finding solutions to real problems and there is no doubt that illness related to obesity is a major drain on the NHS's resources. The appointment of a researcher with an international reputation such as Professor Broom is a major boost to RGU and will help us in our bid to attract more top academics to the University."