Obesity Organizations Recognize World Health Day

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Obesity Society (TOS) in the United States and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) have partnered to increase awareness of the global impact of obesity on public health to mark World Health Day on April 7, 2019. Other organizations such as the World Obesity Federation, Obesity Canada and the Obesity Action Coalition are endorsing the initiative. The international observance is being hosted by the World Health Organization. 

Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide have obesity, according to TOS officials. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can pose a risk to health. Obesity is a major risk factor for more than 200 comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

"It's critical that we collaborate on a global level to help find solutions for overweight and obesity, so we can decrease the number of individuals impacted," said TOS President Steven B. Heymsfield, MD, FTOS.

EASO President Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, MD, concurred with Heymsfield, adding that one issue that needs more attention is the lack of obesity medicine specialists across the globe. "We need to develop strategies and fund programs to increase the number of medical personnel who want to be trained as obesity medicine specialists and teach them about the latest diagnostic tools and treatment protocols, within the context of leading-edge treatment guidelines. These experts will then train primary care providers. If such an effort can take place, we can increase access to quality care for patients with obesity," said Farpour-Lambert.

"If we do not have the resources, we are never going to fix the problem," said TOS President-Elect Lee M. Kaplan, MD, PhD, FTOS.

Kaplan added there is "no single option" to solve the obesity epidemic. Kaplan said it is important to have all options for treatment because there are numerous sub-types of obesity.

TOS and EASO will feature informative and educational social media posts on their Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn sites during National Public Health Week (NPHW), an annual event leading up to World Health Day. NPHW will take place April 1–7, 2019.

For more information about World Health Day, visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/world-health-day-2019

About TOS
The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading organization of scientists and health professionals devoted to understanding and reversing the epidemic of obesity and its adverse health, economic and societal effects. Combining the perspective of physicians and other clinicians, scientists, policymakers and patients, TOS promotes innovative research, education, and evidence-based clinical care to improve the health and well-being of all people with obesity. For more information, visit www.obesity.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About EASO
The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) is a federation of professional membership associations from 34 European countries. As the voice of the European obesity community, EASO promotes action through collaboration in advocacy, communication, education and research. For more information, visit www.easo.org and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About World Obesity Federation
World Obesity Federation represents professional members of the scientific, medical and research communities from over 50 regional and national obesity associations. Through our membership, we create a global community of organizations dedicated to solving the problems of obesity. Our mission is to lead and drive global efforts to reduce, prevent and treat obesity. For more information, visit www.worldobesity.org and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

About Obesity Canada
Obesity Canada is the leading obesity charity association for health professionals, researchers, trainees and students, policymakers, and Canadians living with obesity. The mission of Obesity Canada is to improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity through the advancement of anti-discrimination, prevention and treatment efforts. For more information, visit obesitycanada.ca and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Obesity Action Coalition
The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a more than 60,000 member-strong 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to the individual affected by the disease of obesity and helping individuals along their journey toward better health through education, advocacy and support. Our core focuses are to raise awareness and improve access to the prevention and treatment of obesity, provide evidence-based education on obesity and its treatments, fight to eliminate weight bias and discrimination, elevate the conversation of weight and its impact on health and offer a community of support for the individual affected. For more information, visit www.obesityaction.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.   

CONTACTS: 
Kristin Collins, Director of Communications, The Obesity Society, kcollins@obesity.org 
Sheree Bryant, Secretariat, European Association for the Study of Obesity, sbryant@easo.org

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SOURCE The Obesity Society