W. Philip T. James

William Philip Trehearne James (Philip James) is the President of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. In 1995, he convened the International Obesity Task Force, which is credited with setting the global standard for overweight and obesity based on Body Mass Index (BMI).

Conflicts of Interest

 * "The IOTF's chair, British nutritionalist Philip James, typifies this conflict of interest. James, a well-regarded scientist, also has many financial links to the pharmaceutical industry. He has been amply paid for conducting clinical trials of Sibutramine (Meridia) and Orlistat (Xenical). He also engages in regular promotional activities for Hoffman-La Roche and Knoll Pharmaceuticals, offering regular praise of their products in press releases. In fact, in 2003, he presented the Roche Gulf Awards for Obesity Journalism to reporters who promoted studies (on which James consulted) showing, not surprisingly, that patients taking Xenical were 37 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those losing weight through lifestyle changes alone. In short, James is not only a consultant for the drug industry, he also works as one of their pitchmen."

Contact Information

 * Professor Philip James
 * President IASO
 * Charles Darwin House
 * 12 Roger Street
 * London
 * WC1N 2JU
 * UK
 * Tel + 44 20 7685 2580
 * Fax + 44 20 7685 2581

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * International Obesity Task Force
 * International Association for the Study of Obesity

External Resources

 * Ray Moynihan, "Obesity task force linked to WHO takes "millions" from drug firms", British Medical Journal, June 17, 2006. (Sub req'd).
 * Paul Z Zimmet and W Philip T James, "The unstoppable Australian obesity and diabetes juggernaut. What should politicians do?", Medical Journal of Australia, Volume 185, Number 4, August 21, 2006, pages 187-188.
 * William Philip Trehearne James