The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) recently participated in a key collaborative event in Bucharest, Romania. The 2nd International Expert Meeting: EU-RO Forum, held on 7th February, brought together leading experts in obesity management and metabolic health from across Europe. This international meeting represented a significant step forward in promoting collaborative approaches to obesity management across Europe, with a diverse range of topics covered and substantial international expertise.
The event was jointly organised by the Romanian Association for the Study of Metabolic Syndrome and the Romanian Association of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism. EASO had a strong presence at the Forum. Executive Committee participation included
- Volkan Yumuk, EASO President
- Lubomira Fabyrova, EASO Vice President Central Europe
- Andreea Ciudin, EASO OMWG co-chair
The session, co-chaired by professors Anca Pantea-Stoian and Catalina Poiana, featured a comprehensive programme covering key aspects of obesity management and related health conditions. Presentations included:
European Initiatives in Obesity Management
Dr Lubomira Fabyrova from Slovakia presented EASO’s achievements across Europe in supporting obesity interventions, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to advancing treatment strategies.
Modern Approaches to Obesity Assessment
Dr Andreea Ciudin (Spain) discussed the importance of looking beyond BMI in clinical evaluation of obesity. She emphasised the use of waist-to-height ratio, as recommended in the updated EASO framework for defining, diagnosing, staging, and managing obesity: https://easo.org/a-new-framework-for-the-diagnosis-staging-and-management-of-obesity-in-adults/
Metabolic Health and Obesity
Dr Emir Muzuroviç from Montenegro shared current approaches to Managing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in patients with diabetes and obesity, highlighting the interconnection between these conditions.
Pharmacological Innovations
Professor Manfredi Rizzo (Italy) focused on second-generation obesity management medications, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists, discussing their role in modern obesity treatment protocols.
Cancer and Obesity Connection
Professor Catalina Poiana (Romania) explored the significant relationship between obesity and various forms of cancer, emphasising obesity’s impact on cancer prognosis and treatment outcomes.
Social Dimensions of Obesity
Dr Cornelia Bala, General Secretary of the Romanian Association for the Study of Obesity, concluded the session with a crucial discussion on stigma and social determinants of obesity, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues in comprehensive obesity management.
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