EASO welcomes the launch of the first-ever EU ScreeningWeek, taking place from 28 September–4 October, and its important focus on prevention and early detection across Europe.
https://health.ec.europa.eu/eu-screening-week_en
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease and a major driver of cardiometabolic ill health, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. If we are serious about prevention and earlier intervention, obesity must be recognised, screened for and diagnosed as a disease in its own right.
Knowing key numbers, including blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol is important — is also important to screen for and identify excess adiposity and address its impact on health.
Though BMI is often used as a proxy for obesity measurement, the EASO Framework for the Diagnosis, Staging and Management of Obesity provides a practical and accessible approach that goes beyond BMI alone. The Framework incorporates assessment of abdominal adiposity and considers the medical, functional and mental health consequences of obesity, supporting earlier diagnosis, appropriate staging and access to evidence-based care.
#EUScreeningWeek is an important opportunity to put obesity firmly within Europe’s prevention and screening agenda. Earlier recognition and diagnosis can help identify people at increased cardiometabolic risk and, crucially, connect them with appropriate, person-centred obesity care. We applaud the efforts taking place during our joint press conference with EU Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, ESC, EASD and EUDF at EASD2026 in Milano, as well as the EU Parliament, outside the Berlaymont Building, which will include blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screening, alongside BMI calculations and waist circumference measurement.
Professor Volkan Yumuk, President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), said: “Obesity sits at the centre of cardiometabolic health. It is a chronic disease in its own right and a major driver of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious complications. If Europe is serious about prevention, we must identify and address obesity earlier. This means moving beyond BMI alone and ensuring that evidence-based screening, diagnosis and management of obesity are integrated into healthcare systems. EU Screening Week is an important opportunity to put earlier, integrated and person-centred action into practice.”
EASO looks forward to working with the European Commission and partners across Europe to ensure obesity is recognised as a core component of cardiometabolic health screening, prevention and long-term disease management to support SafeHearts — which begins with joint health checks!
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