Next Event

Changing Lives in Youth Obesity: Multidisciplinary Care

• 20 March 2026 - Harbour Kitchen, Dockside, Melbourne

A full-day, in-person and recorded event bringing together
leading experts on how we can better support children and
adolescents living with obesity & provide practical strategies.

About the Event

Obesity is a complex, chronic condition requires thoughtful, patient-centred, multidisciplinary support. This event provides a space to discuss the latest evidence and prevention & treatment options for young people and their families from various perspectives.

We must stay anchored to the fundamentals: maintaining a non-weight focus and supporting good nutrition, functional health, and emotional well-being. That said, we are entering a new era where GLP-1 medications may benefit selected adolescents, but safe use requires careful assessment, monitoring, and strong multidisciplinary care.

Learning Outcomes

• Outline the multidisciplinary factors contributing to youth obesity, differences in health system settings and apply a structured assessment within a consultation

• Discuss the effects of social media, internet and environmental factors on health behaviours, and use strategies to improve eating behaviours, mealtimes, and lifestyle pattens in young people

• Compare the benefits, risk, indications and ethical considerations of primary-care obesity interventions within a multidisciplinary team approach

• Describe emerging pharmacological treatments and use an interdisciplinary model of care to address early signs of eating disorders from typical weight-management challenges.

• Integrate evidence-based medical, nutritional and behavioural strategies into consultations when supporting young people and their families

Program Details:

Youth Obesity: Seeing the Whole Picture

An overview of the complex drivers of youth obesity, highlighting medical, psychological, social, and developmental factors — and why effective care must look beyond weight alone.

• Considerations in Assessing & Managing Adolescents with Obesity
  Prof Louise Baur - AM PresAHMS - Internationally Recognised Paediatrician

• Psychological Complexity in Youth Obesity
  Susan Smith - Senior Clinical Psychologist

• Understanding Nutrition in the Context of Youth Obesity
  Mary-Kate Inkster - Paediatric Dietitian
  Kelly Cooper - Non-Restrictive Eating Dietitian

• Meeting Them Where They’re at: Youth Friendly Care in Victorian Schools
  Dr Simone Craig - GP & lecturer in Doctors in Secondary School Program

• Q&A

Influences Everywhere: Social Media & Environment

A deep dive into how digital platforms, food environments, and societal pressures shape behaviours and health — and what clinicians can do to support young people navigating these forces.

• Danny’s Place: Practical Lessons Learnt
  Jane Collins - Nurse Practitioner & past Community Program Co-ordinator

• Navigating Social Media in Healthcare: Risk & Clinical Response
  Dr Caroline de Moel-Mandel - Researcher La Trobe University

• From Fussy to Flexible: Practical Strategies to Expand Food Variety
  Kelly Cooper - Non-Restrictive Eating Dietitian

• Q&A

Comparing Interventions & Tailoring Care

An evidence-based look at nutrition, psychological approaches, pharmacotherapy and surgery, exploring how to match the right interventions to the needs, readiness, and safety considerations of each young person.

• Just Because We Can - Should We? Medications in Youth Obesity
  Dr Catherine Bacus - Metabolic GP Specialist

• Balancing Benefit, Risk, and Readiness: Surgical Care in Young People
  A/Prof Ahmad Aly - Head of Upper GI Surgery at Austin Health

• Getting Treatments Right: Dietary & Medications
  Mary-Kate Inkster - Paediatric Dietitian

• Psychological Considerations Across Youth Obesity Treatments
  Susan Smith - Senior Clinical Psychologist

• Q&A

Safe Pathways Forward: Eating Disorders, the Future & Practical Solutions

Research outcomes for eating disorder considerations, strategies to manage common barriers and preparation for emerging treatments to ensure young people receive safe, person-centred support into the future.

• Clinical Research in GLP-1 Medications: The Future
  Jane Collins - Clinical Research Co-ordinator for GLP-1 medications

• Eating Disorder Research Outcomes
  Prof Louise Baur - Research outcomes for eating disorder considerations

• Prospero Health App Presentation
  Andrea Jasper - Impact Obesity - Prospero Health App

• Q&A panel

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