The European Association for the Study of Obesity
The European Association for the Study of obesity (EASO) aims to promote research into obesity, facilitate contact between individuals and organisations, and promote action that tackles the epidemic of obesity. EASO currently comprises 30 National Association Members, representing more than 4000 individuals in 31 countries. Through EASO, our members are working on the understanding and management of obesity from a clinical and public health perspective - in 28 different languages!
Further information on the history and goals of EASO and on each Member Association is available via the top navigation bar.
EASO is a membership association. Our National Association members, and the individual members thereof, enjoy extensive EASO member benefits.
Latest News
EASO Collaborating Centres for Obesity Management (COMs)
Obesity is recognised as a global epidemic and the most prevalent metabolic disease world-wide. However, specialised obesity services are not widely available in Europe and obesity care can therefore vary enormously across European regions. In response to this situation, EASO has developed a network of accredited specialised obesity centres, where the quality and efficacy of the care offered to patients are of the highest standards. Under the EASO Collaborating Centres for Obesity Management (COM) scheme, centres will be accredited in accordance with accepted European and academic guidelines. Under the EASO Collaborating Centres for Obesity Management (COM) scheme, centres will be accredited in accordance with accepted European and academic guidelines. The EASO COM network will include university, public and private clinics. Each centre must comply with clearly defined requirements and work in close collaboration for the better management of all obese patients. Participating centres, under the umbrella of EASO, will work closely for quality control, data collection and analysis, as well as education and research for the advancement of obesity care and obesity science.
21 centres have now been awarded EASO COM status.
Please visit the COM webpage for further infromation and application instructions.
Informing Obesity Research: European Obesity Research Conference
Obesity is recognised as a global epidemic and the most prevalent metabolic disease world-wide. Despite significant recent research investment, obesity prevalence rates continue to rise throughout most countries of the world, not least in Europe. The disease therefore incurs an increasingly heavy burden not only on overweight and obese citizens themselves but also on health care systems, the efficiency of the workforce and society at large. Obesity is frequent, serious, complex and chronic. Moreover, it is recognised as a gateway to many other disease areas, including but by no means limited to diabetes, heart disease, cancers, respiratory problems and joint problems. Thus, if we manage and prevent obesity, we will block a major supply route to these diseases.
In response to this situation, EASO convened a meeting of Europe’s leading researchers and main stakeholders in the field with the aim of developing a clear research strategy, with consensus on what the key areas for European obesity research should be, the expected impact of this research and how we can achieve success in these areas in terms of novel approaches, and the development of significant innovative products and societal impact.
- View meeting report here
- View the Conference programme and download Speaker Presentations here
- View MEP Briefing Report here
News from ECO2012
During ECO2012, the 19th European Congress on Obesity, the Executive Committee of EASO rotated. EASO welcomes:
- Gema Frühbeck (Spain): President
- Hermann Toplak (Austria): President-Elect
- Ellen Blaak (Netherlands): Secretary
- Johannes Hebebrand (Germany): Vice President Northern Region
Visit the 'about EASO' page for further infromation.
During the 2012 EASO General Council meeting, the General Council of EASO elected Prague, Czech Republic as the host of ECO2015. Further infrmation will be available in due course.
View the ECO2012 Abstract Book
EU Projects
DORIAN: EASO is the dissemination WP coordinator in DORIAN, which stands for: Developmental ORIgins of healthy and unhealthy AgeiNg: the role of maternal obesity.
On 1 January 2012 the international European research project DORIAN was started, coordinated by the Institute of Clinical Physiology-CNR, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Pisa, Italy. (Dr. Patricia Iozzo).
This multidisciplinary project will generate a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of early life development and ageing, which may translate into the improvement of health and quality of life during the entire life course. In particular, the Consortium of DORIAN will investigate and analyze the impacts of maternal obesity on the way of ageing and its associated degenerative pathologies in the offspring through the duration of life.
Please visit the project website for further information.
SPOTLIGHT: EASO is a disseminating partner in SPOTLIGHT, which stands for: Sustainable prevention of obesity through integrated strategies.
SPOTLIGHT will systematically define the factors necessary for establishing effective health promotion approaches. Different levels in varying contexts will be taken into account - individual, family, organisational, and environments that can change behaviour, lifestyles, and life skills to sustainably reduce obesogenic behaviours in an innovative way.
SPOTLIGHT is funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (CORDIS FP7) of the European Commission (FP7-HEALTH-2011).
Please visit the project website for further information.
Childhood Obesity Task Force (COTF) Parental Guide
The EASO Childhood Obesity Task Force (COTF) has worked with colleagues from the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) to develop a 'Practical Guide for the Parents of Overweight Children'. A PDF version is available here.
Obesity Management Task Force (OMTF) Statement
EASO, via its Obesity Management Task Force (OMTF), and the European Society of Hypertension have recently published a statement on 'obesity and difficult to treat arterial hypertension'. View the statement here.
Formal Relations with the WHO Regional Office for Europe
The Executive Committee is pleased to announce that EASO is now in formal relations with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. A challenging and far reaching joint action plan has been developed - actions will include the development of joint workshops, statements and scientific papers; scientific exchanges; and joint input into relevant European projects.
Tanita Prevent Obesity Grant
Applications for the Tanita Prevent Obesity Grant are now open. Further infromation is availablew here.
EASO Reviews and Strategy
Please click here to view the EASO 2011 Review
Please click here to view the EASO 2010 Review
Please click here to view the EASO 2009 Review
Please click here to view EASO's 2010-2012 Strategic Plan
N.B. The 2011 EASO Review will be available soon.
Dissemination of European Obesity Research
EASO is happy to discuss dissemination opportunities with project coordinators, groups and individuals currently carrying out European obesity research.
We hereby invite you to contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your dissemination requirements and the nature and scope of your research project(s).
Obesity Facts - The Official Journal of EASO
OBESITY FACTS proudly celebrates the publication of its 5th volume in 2012! The journal has firmly established itself as an important scientific publication dealing with all areas of obesity research (Impact Factor 1.144).
Under the growing influence of the internet, the reception of the journal has gradually shifted to the digital environment via net-based systems. This has led to our decision to publish OBESITY FACTS as an online-only journal as of 2012.
Supplements such as congress abstracts or special issues will be still available as print issues on request.
All EASO members are entitled to a heavily discounted EASO Member subscription rate. Find out more about this generous discount and how to subscribe to Obesity Facts.
Please click here to sign up for email alerts.
For more information , please visit www.karger.com/ofa.
Obesity in the News
For a regularly updated series of links to relevant news items, please click here.
N.B This 'newsfeed' has been developed by IASO, to whom we are grateful for allowing us to share the link.
