Experts will examine why some poorer groups tend to be obese

The event, organised by the Association for the Study of Obesity, is taking place on Tuesday at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough.

In the Durham and Tees Valley area 18.3% of two to 10-year-olds are obese - the national average is 13.7%.

Local experts will join speakers from Holland and the USA.

They will focus on why the poorest and most disadvantaged groups are often the most obese.

Obesity epidemic

Professor Carolyn Summerbell, head of the University of Teesside Centre for Food, Physical Activity and Obesity research, said: "Obesity is a real problem here in the North East and this meeting will pull together policy initiatives, research findings and practical strategies to combat the problem in future generations, both locally and nationally.

"Discussing ideas from countries in better and worse situations than ourselves in terms of obesity prevalence will bring a new perspective to our work in the UK."

Professor Shiriki Kumanyika, from the USA, will examine why changes in eating habits and levels of physical activity has led to an epidemic of obesity among ethnic minority groups and disadvantaged communities.

Professor Martin White, from Newcastle University, will explore the effect of the retail environment on shopping and dietary habits.

The Middlesbrough on the Move initiative, which examines whether it is feasible to change the lifestyle of a whole community in terms of a health diet and levels of physical activity, will also be unveiled.