Students training to enter the health service need better teaching in order to prevent discrimination against obese patients, a study suggests.

Researchers said previous work had found high levels of "anti-fat prejudice" among health professionals.

But a trial of 159 students, reported in the Obesity journal, found this prejudice could easily be influenced.

In a fast-changing world of diverse cultures and vastly differing resources and capacity, what is the future of health? In 20 years’ time, priorities for prevention and medical care may look very different from 2010.

C3 has developed some key themes on this issue, provoked by ‘scenario planning’ by futurists. In 2030, what health challenges – particularly around obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes – will be faced by developed and developing countries? How can they best be planned for, starting now? How will they be dealt with by individuals, societies and governments?

C3’s aim is to provoke an online discussion – among academics, business people, insurers, patients, young people, and all those who have a stake in the future of health – focusing particularly on four deliberately contentious themes, identified by C3 as being particular touchstones for debate.

LIVERPOOL council chiefs are considering banning the word “obesity” because children think it is too offensive.

The bid has been put forward by nine to 11 year-olds who fear use of it sends out too many negative connotations and deters young people off tackling weight problems