A sugar tax is the bitter pill that is needed

Last week the Chancellor announced a levy on soft drinks made with sugar, with the revenue raised used to fund PE and sports in primary schools. The BMA suggested that the extra revenue – would amount to 13p on each can and 37p on each two-litre bottle of fizzy drink sold – should be used to make fruit and vegetables cheaper. Dr. Gail Rees, our Nutrition Lecturer (and Deputy Head of School), has been arguing that these are sensible suggestions because obesity – directly and indirectly – is a concern for us all. You can read more about the debate in the article carried by Reuters.

Science in the News Explained

As part of British Science Week, which is a national initiative that has been running since 1994, our  and other Schools' -  postgraduate students organised a 'Science in the News' evening. This event included talks for the public on how various issues appear in the media: climate climate, the relationship between religious faith and science, and the use/abuse of antibiotics. The latter talk was by one of our School's microbiology lecturers, Mat Upton (seen below).

For more information on events organised by the postgraduate students go to https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/the-nobel-sessions

Students win Nutrition essay prizes at IFBB event in London

Stefi Guiu (final year Nutrition, Exercise and Health student) writes:

"The Institute for Food Brain and Behaviour organised the second essay competition in the memory of Henry Kitchener. After submitting an essay with the title “In the light of how our diet has changed over the last century, how does nutrition affect the developing brain?” we were selected for the short list of prices. The winner of the Henry Kitchener Prize 2016 was announced at an event in London and the awards were presented by Lady Emma Fellowes. I received the “Runner Up” prize together with £500 and Melissa Pirie the “Highly Commended” prize. At this event, we were also invited to attend a lecture by Professor Tom Brenna of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York on “Nutrition and Behaviour: Are People and Governments Buying In?”. The whole event was very interesting and a great way of knowing people with the same area of interest. Moreover, the topics discussed were of great importance for mental health and nutrition, two areas of great interest nowadays."

Stefi photographed below (top) and Melissa from Human Biosciences (bottom). The winner's essay is on this website and also more information if you are interested: http://www.ifbb.org.uk/news/henry-kitchener-prize-awarded/.