Many thanks to all who participated in #ECO2018 in Vienna. We’re already hard at work on your next European Congress on Obesity #ECO2019, and abstract submission is open!
See you in Glasgow 28 April – 1 May 2019

EASO NIU Autumn School 2018: Hot Topics in Obesity
We are pleased to announce the 2018 EASO New Investigators United Autumn School will take place in Palma, Majorca from October 1-3, 2018. This residential educational course will deliver training to early career researchers and practitioners covering a wide range of topics. Join our NIU network!
Spotlight on EASO President Dr Nathalie Farpour-Lambert
Dr Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, paediatrician, child obesity expert and head of the Obesity Prevention and Care Program Contrepoids, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland, became the new President of the European Association for Study of Obesity (EASO) during ECO2018.
“Obesity and obesity-related diseases place a major strain on healthcare systems, both immediately and in terms of future health concerns. This has an impact not only on individuals but also on society as a whole; this ultimately impacts national economic growth.”
East Med Train the Trainer
Obesity is a key challenge to public health in Europe and the east Mediterannean region, however specialised obesity training is not widely available. Obesity care and public health strategies can therefore vary enormously across these regions. EASO education programmes provide a solution by offering comprehensive training for health professionals working in the prevention and management of obesity.
We will host a Train the Trainers session 23-24 September, 2018 at the Polat Renaissance Hotel Istanbul, Turkey. Applications are now closed but follow EASO news for future course offerings.
NIU: WHO Europe Internship Placement Opportunities
The European Association for the Study of Obesity is in formal relations with the World Health Organisation. The EASO NIU Network encourages interested colleagues to apply for WHO Europe Internship placements and the Junior Professional Officer Programme. The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) and internship programmes provides professionals at early stages of their careers with practical, multilateral and technical experience. Internships are not paid but JPO participants may be sponsored by your government
For more information please see the WHO website
EASO mdBriefCase Online Obesity KTS Now Available in Spain
Developed in collaboration with the mdBriefCase Group, a leading provider of online education, and Sociedad Española para el Estudio de la Obesidad (SEEDO), “Adult Obesity in Spain” is an accredited continuing professional development program designed for healthcare professionals in Spain.
Access and enrollment are completely free. Registration includes access to the program and additional resources, videos, and publications to use within your practice
Treating Obesity as a Chronic Disease in Turkey
EASO was pleased to speak with Dr Yumuk, a founding member and the current president of the Turkish Association for the Study of Obesity; he has since 2011 been a member of the executive committee of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) and currently sits as the Vice President responsible for the southern region of EASO.
EASO COMs Exchange and Mentoring Programme
Obesity is recognised as one of Europe’s priority health challenges, however specialised obesity services are not widely available and obesity care can therefore vary enormously across European regions. The EASO Exchange and Mentoring Programme provides a solution by supporting the establishment of centres that improve access to and delivery of care.
You can apply to the COMs Mentoring Programme
Report of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity
Sarah Le Brocq, Director, HOOP UK, comments on UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity Report
88% of people with obesity reported having been stigmatised, criticised or abused as a result of their obesity; 94% of people believe that there is not enough understanding about the causes of obesity amongst the public; 42% of people with obesity did not feel comfortable talking to their GP about their obesity.
WCRF International Announces the 2018/2019 Grants Programme
World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF International) is now accepting grant applications for research on the links between diet, nutrition physical activity and cancer prevention and survival as part of their Regular Grant Programme 2018/2019 cycle. The deadline for applications is 4 October 2018.
Visit the WCRF website for more information on eligibility criteria
Weight Stigma in Health Care
Across society, weight-based stigmatization is pervasive; weight bias in health care settings is also an unfortunately common reality, with recent research from the Rudd Centre for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut confirming that 54% of adults with obesity report being bullied in the workplace.
Read more in this helpful brochure and visit the Rudd Center website
2018 EASO Policy Conference for #EOD2018
In conjunction with European Obesity Day (EOD) 2018, the 2018 EASO Policy Conference – “Obesity Policy in Europe: the need for Education, Treatment and Care” was held in Brussels on 17th May. at the Renaissance Hotel in Brussels. The event was held and followed-up to the successful EASO policy conference held in May 2017.
A full report of the meeting is available on the EOD website
New KTS programme for GPs tailored for the UK
Announcing a new training tool offering CPD credit: Adult Obesity in the UK: Why Can’t My Patient Lose Weight?. This free accredited online program is now available in conjunction with mdBriefCase
EASO supports the position of UK ASO opposing discrimination against people with obesity.
Read the full position statement
Become a Part of the EASO New Investigators United Consortium
EASO New Investigators United was established in 2005 and acts as an informal community for new investigators to collaborate on projects and to share experiences and expertise. The NIU initiative combines an online community with an annual event at the European Congress on Obesity, where new professionals have an opportunity to meet, interact and share ideas with colleagues from around the world.
Register your interest and join the NIU consortium
We are pleased to announce that volume 11 issue 3, June 2018 of OBESITY FACTS (OFA) is online and open access
View the issue on the OFA website
We are pleased to share recent videos on EU project MooDFOOD. MooDFOOD is a large European consortium exploring the relationship between mood, nutrition, and obesity. MooDFOOD symposium videos are
available to view.
Weight loss maintenance is difficult; the NoHoW project is helping people learn how to do it. NoHoW was pleased to present a well-attended symposium Self-regulation and emotion regulation in weight loss maintenance – working toward a consensus: The H2020 NoHoW Project at ECO2018. View the project explainer video, learn more about the project, the symposium and other NoHoW news on the project website
Cities Join Efforts to Help Communities Become More Active and Improve Citizen Health Globally
Cities across the world are being urged to sign up to the Global Active City programme, a new global health and physical activity promotion effort that is proven to increase individual and collective well-being among our increasingly urban populations.
We urge cities across Europe and around the world to sign up! The Active Well-being Initiative (AWI) has developed standards, toolkits and training modules to support cities and their leaders to participate.
Find out more on the AWI website
ICO/ECO2020 in Dublin: save the dates
We are delighted to announce the joint 2020 European Congress on Obesity #ECO2020, which will be held in conjunction with the International Congress on Obesity in Dublin, Ireland 17-20 May, 2020.