Feline obesity targeted at Nestle nutrition forum

St. Louis, Mo. - 10/19/07 - More than 200 attendees from 22 countries gathered at the 2007 Nestle Purina Nutrition Forum, focused on feline health, including obesity and diabetes developments.

Research presented focused on nutrionists' obesity concerns and included new studies on the metabolic impacts of spay-neuter procedures and the effects of adipokines in obese cats. Several studies detailed the benefits of using high protein diets during the weight loss process and as protection against weight rebound.

"Our goal this year was to reach out to people in the feiline world," says Dorothy Laflamme, DVM, PhD, DACVN and forum organizer. "There has been some outstanding research in feline nutrition, and this was the perfect venue to showcase that information."

Veterinarians and nutritionists worldwide attended the 13th annual forum, held Sept. 20-23. James G. Morris, PhD, and Quinton Rogers, PhD, were both honored at the event for their ground-breaking developments in feline nutrition research.

"It's so appropriate that Drs. Morris and Rogers were honored at this Forum, as their research has influenced the pet food industry and defined feline nutrition," says Claudia Kirk, DVM and associate professor for the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine .