Abstracts / Can J Diabetes 37 (2013) S217eS289 S277

confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype aboutone’s group. Two studies examined weight stigma threat ina novel application using a menu-ordering paradigm. In Study 1 (N¼ 174), overweight participants under stigma threat ordered menuitems for dinner that were higher in calories than overweightparticipants not under threat and nonoverweight participants.When calorie information was presented on the menu, however,overweight participants under stigma threat ordered menu itemscontaining fewer calories than overweight participants whoordered from a conventional menu (Study 2, N ¼ 100). Publichealth evidence of the overall effectiveness of menu-labeling hasbeen mixed, and psychological processes may illuminate when,why, and how menu labeling influences food choices. Thisresearch suggests that weight stigma threat can lead to stereo-type-disconfirming behavior when calorie information is used asa tool to assist self-regulation. At a time when obesity levels arehigh and weight bias is rampant, these findings have importantimplications for the obesity epidemic, weight loss efforts, andobesity intervention policies.

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Wicked Problem Calls for Innovative Comprehensive SystemsThinking EvaluationJUDITH LAPIERRE, NATHALIE DUMAS, PHILIPPE DE WALS,MÉLANIE MICHAUD, MARIE-CLAUDE JEANCentre de recherche Institut universitaire de cardiologie et depneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

Obesity rates are growing alarmingly in youths although somestabilisation is observed is certain age strata. One of Québec’scurrent political pillars, increased solidarity includes a policy onprevention and health promotion as core avenues with a visionthat before 10 years, Québecers reached physical activity levelsand health that are optimal worldwide and that, with a history ofclear political agenda on prevention trough supportive environ-ments and healthy behavior strategies is promising. UniversitéLaval Evaluation Platform on Obesity Prevention (EPOP) aims atmobilising a research expertise on impact evaluation aroundobesity prevention of youths, 0-17 years old. Obesity is a complexsocietal public health problem requiring a multiple multilayersanalytical lens. Current evidence indicates that such lens mustmagnify principles of systems science, socioecological perspective,multiple integrated intervention strategies, etc. among others.Policy coherence, health equity and healthy weights can be ach-ieved with sustained coordinated efforts. The goal is to describeand compare comprehensive explanatory and evaluative conceptsof available peer reviewed theoretical frameworks based onprinciples aforementioned, propose an evidenced-base evaluativeconceptual mapping strategy and validate relevance and applica-bility to portray Québec’s current initiatives in healthy living andobesity prevention. A scoping review is proposed includinga structural critical literature review and expert consultationprocess. 84 research published in journals were compiled.Frameworks were analysed based on a set of obesity relatedprinciples. Optimal peer reviewed and governmental frameworksare presented and compared. An emerging conceptual evaluativeframework is proposed for the portrayal of Québec’s obesityprevention strategy.

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Paradigm Shift: The Importance of Reducing CarbohydrateConsumption to Reverse the Obesity EpidemicALEXANDER FRAME, RICHARD MATHIASUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The physiological and pathological processes underlying obesityare significantly more complicated than initially perceived. A meta-

analysis of nutritional studies and review of underlying patholog-ical metabolism has revealed a paradigm shift in our understandingof how foods affect our health. Reductions in fat consumption basedon health messages over the last 40 years have led to unintendedincrease consumption of complex carbohydrates and simple sugarswith associated rises in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Evidencesuggests the dose of simple sugars has increased within range ofbeing pharmacologically harmful as established by the associationsof high sugar intake with significant adiposity, low grade inflam-mation, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia (metabolic syndrome)e conditions accompanying type 2 diabetes and cardiovasculardisease. A greater understanding of lipid and lipoprotein metabo-lism does not support the belief that fats, with the exception oftrans-fats, are unhealthy. Rather with the exception of trans-fats,most fats exhibit beneficial or neutral effects on lipid profiles andCVD risk. An overview of the literature will redirect our under-standing that simple sugars and carbohydrates broken down intosimple sugars not fats are significantly impacting the obesityepidemic and health of Canadians.

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Weighing in From the North: Challenges and Opportunities inDeveloping a Health Authority Position on Health, Weight andObesityFLO SHEPPARD, CHRISTINE GLENNIE-VISSERNorthern Health, Terrace, British Columbia, Canada

Northern and rural populations demonstrate higher rates of healthstatus concern aroundweight status and contributingmodifiable riskfactors. In Northern Health, nearly two in every three adult men andmore than one in every two adult women are classified as over-weight or obese. While similar to other comparable regions, theserates are much higher than more urban counterparts. As a way toaddress upstream risk factors collectively, Northern Health hasdeveloped position statements to address prevention, managementand treatment of many of those factors that place the population athealth risk. NorthernHealth’s Position onHealth,Weight andObesitydraws on current evidence and identified best practices to informpolicy regarding a population health approach toweight and obesity.This presentation highlights Northern Health’s experience in trans-lating field and research evidence so that the policy-informing workis applicable to Northern, rural and remote regional populations andcircumstances. The presentation explores the challenges of adher-ence to a position which challenges many common organizationalpractices with respect to obesity. The presentation also explores theopportunities and strength of workingwithin a health authority withan endorsed approach to weight.

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Making Healthy Choices the Easy Choices: A Follow-up Study ofHealth Basics Program AlumniLORNA MILKOVICH, BEV WHITMORE, DONNA THOMPSON,NELLY OELKERed Deer Primary Care Network, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

This session will share the journey and early results of a longi-tudinal study being conducted by the Red Deer Primary CareNetwork (RDPCN) for the Health Basics CHOICES program. Thisstudy has received a one year funding grant through the AlbertaHealth Services Obesity Strategy. Participants will learn howa weight management program responsive to health data andphysician need was designed utilizing a health promotion andvalue-based approach to engage and empower physician-referredpatients. This program consists of a no-cost eight week interactiveseries of classes which are preceded by a mandatory introductoryclass and followed by optional monthly follow-up classes foralumni. Program foci are active living, healthy eating and life