The European Association for the Study of Obesity

EASO considers obesity to be a health, research, and societal priority. It promotes the study of obesity as well as facilitating and engaging in actions that reduce the burden of unhealthy excess weight in Europe through prevention and management.

EASO is a membership association comprising 31 National Association Members, which between them reprsent more than 4000 individuals across Europe. Our National Association members, and the individual members thereof, enjoy extensive EASO member benefits.

Further information on the history and goals of EASO and on each Member Association is available via the top navigation bar.

ECO2014, the 21st European Congress on Obesity

The ECO2013 Abstract Book, an official supplement of Obesity Facts, is now available online. Speaker podcasts, presentations and online 'meet-the-expert' sessions will be announced here in due course, so keep checking for regular updates.

It's not too early to plan your attendance at the next ECO! ECO2014, the 21st European Congress on Obesity, will take place in the wonderful city of Sofia, Bulgaria from 28 - 31 May 2014. Visit the ECO2014 website for information and regular updates.

Announcing the 2013 EASO Björntorp Symposium

Hosted by EASO and the Israeli Society for Research and Treatment of Obesity (ISRTO), the 2013 EASO Björntorp Symposium address the topic of 'the Super Obese Child' and will again create an invaluable opportunity for intense in-depth scientific exchange between experienced internationally renowned scientists and younger research fellows from around Europe. Visit the symposium webpage for further information.

Informing Obesity Research

European Obesity Research Conference

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.

Research is part of the solution to the obesity epidemic. In recent decades, research has helped improve our understanding of the complex effects of increased fat tissue on the human body. It has enabled us to develop better evidence based guidelines to prevent, manage and treat obesity, including better bariatric surgery procedures to treat extreme obesity. But better coordination is still needed in order to increase the translation of research into better prevention and treatment strategies.

In February, 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. As part of this process,EASO has participated in national initiatives in both Denmark and France.

Workshop on Social Sciences and Humanities’ contribution to tackle the Obesity Epidemic

InJanuary 2013, more than 50 researchers and stakeholders from around Europe gathered in Brussels for the workshop Social Sciences and Humanities contribution to tackle the Obesity Epidemic: Challenges & Potentials in Obesity Research towards Horizon 2020.

The objective of the workshop was to create a cross-European forum for identifying, describing and discussing future potentials in obesity research, to establish new and nurture existing networks and collaborations of researchers across social sciences and humanities and the natural sciences with an interest in obesity research, and hereby to mobilize the significant European research capacities and potentials in preparing for Horizon 2020.

News

EASO Position Statement

EASO has recently published a position statement entitled 'Obesity: The Gateway to Ill Health – an EASO Position Statement on a Rising Public Health, Clinical and Scientific Challenge in Europe. The position statement can be viewed here.

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.

4th Central European Congress on Obesity

The 4th Central European Congress on Obesity, in conjunction with the 7th Romanian Congress on Obesity, will take place in Cluj-Napoca from 11-13 October 2013. Further inormation is available here.

EASO Reviews and Strategy

Please click here to view EASO's 2013-2015 Strategic Plan
Please click here to view the EASO 2012 Review
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

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.