Ottawa researcher receives international award for obesity research

March 24, 2014 – At the International Congress on Obesity held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week, Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput from the Healthy Active Living and Obesity (HALO) research group at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute was awarded the International Journal of Obesity (IJO) New Faculty Award for Population Science and Public Health Research.

"This award is very significant – for HALO, and for Ottawa. It acknowledges the impact of our contribution to obesity research and public policy on a global scale," said Mark Tremblay, Director, HALO at the CHEO Research Institute. "Only one person gets this award every 4 years. Congratulations, Dr. Chaput!" Three awards were handed out in total, including the following categories: Clinical Research, Basic Research, and Population Science and Public Health Research.

The (IJO) New Faculty Award for Population Science and Public Health Research recognizes Dr. Chaput's exceptional research in population health based on innovation, quality of science, research design, and quality of writing.

"This award is a tremendous honour. I was proud to represent Canada at such an esteemed global event," said Dr. Chaput. "My research portfolio is reflective a team effort, so I want to thank every former and current trainee, all volunteers, and of course my HALO colleagues for their unwavering support."

Dr. Chaput is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa and an Investigator at the CHEO Research Institute. He also holds a Junior Research Chair in Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research. His research focuses on pediatric obesity prevention and the documentation of new determinants of obesity.

Provided by Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute