ECPO

A week of global collaboration has reinforced a clear message: progress in obesity care depends on lived experience, shared learning, and working together. From defining practical priorities at the Global Obesity Implementation Forum, to shaping a Global Patient Charter, and powerful patient voices at the Canadian Obesity Summit, one theme stands out: people living with obesity must be at the centre of change. ECPO was proud to contribute, with Vicki Mooney and Susie Birney calling for action to ensure future generations face fewer barriers and less stigma. As one youth advocate shared: “If we redefine obesity and act, we can make that word safe.” Read more about the week and key outcomes here: eurobesity.org/global-collabo… #ObesityCare #COS2026 #AddressingObesityTogether #PatientVoice

ECPO was pleased to be represented by our President @DianaCastill08 , at the 1st Forum on Diabetes, Cardiovascular and Kidney Diseases in Porto Alegre, Brazil (17–18 March). Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, kidney diseases and obesity are deeply interconnected. They share common risk factors and have a profound impact on quality of life, not only in Brazil and Latin America, but across Europe as well. Improving prevention, treatment, and long-term management must go hand in hand with ensuring access to care without stigma or barriers. Bringing together patients, experts, and organisations, the forum was an important step towards stronger collaboration and more effective responses to these shared challenges. Thank you to Vozes do Advocacy for the invitation and for recognising ECPO’s work across Europe. #AddressingObesityTogether #NCDS

The European Coalition for People living with Obesity are pleased to announce the 2026 awards programme for European activities held in conjunction with World Obesity Day. These awards recognise excellence, innovation and best practice in activities that advance understanding of obesity and promote prevention, treatment, and support across Europe. Organisations, patient groups, healthcare professionals, researchers and individuals are all encouraged to apply or nominate initiatives connected to World Obesity Day. Categories include: - Patient or public engagement - Media engagement - Social media engagement - Policy engagement - Scientific collaboration - NCD organisation engagement Deadline: 5 May 2026 Submit your application or nomination here: woday.eu/wod-europe-awa… Let’s celebrate the initiatives making a difference for people living with obesity across Europe. #AddressingObesityTogether #WorldObesityDay #WOD

Researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocates will come together at the STAGE Science for Policy Forum: “Healthy Ageing as a System - Connecting Science, Policy, and Practice” to explore how science and policy can better support healthy ageing across Europe. Moderated by Ximena Ramos Salas, among the speakers taking part in the event is ECPO Patient Council member Mari-Mette Graff, who will bring an important lived-experience perspective to the discussion. Her participation highlights why patient voices must be central when shaping health systems, policies, and approaches to healthy ageing. Learn more and register to join the session: stage-healthyageing.eu/stage-science-… #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

In Germany for World Obesity Day, Marion Rung-Friebe attended a health and nutrition conference hosted by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, bringing together experts both in person and online for important discussions on obesity. At the same time, colleagues from Adipositas Verband Deutschland supported the day through social media by sharing statements, information, and educational graphics. #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

For World Obesity Day, Natasha shared the première of a documentary for healthcare professionals at the National Dutch Obesity Congress. The screening took place during the congress with 750 healthcare professionals in attendance. #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

For World Obesity Day in Switzerland, our Member Council Dominique Durrer took part in a symposium in Neuchâtel focused on better understanding obesity to improve treatment and care. Key topics included multidisciplinary care, internalised stigma, current and future treatments, food addiction, sarcopenic obesity, psychological impacts, weight stigma in perinatal care, and patient experiences of stigma. The event brought together 120 participants, including GPs, gynaecologists, and diabetologists, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing obesity. #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

In Poland for World Obesity Day, Our patient council member @Agnieszka Liszkowska-Hala shared her experience during a meeting of the Parliamentary Team for Scientific Research and Innovation in Healthcare at the Senate. The discussion focused on reducing obesity in Poland, highlighting the need for a multisector strategy to stop obesity and support both children and adults. A big thank you to Agnieszka Gorgoń‑Komor for her continued support! #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

Congratulations to @kenclare on being awarded as an Integrated Health Fellow (IH-FIFSO) by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders in recognition of his long-standing contribution to improving care and advocacy for people living with obesity. Announced on World Obesity Day 2026, the fellowship recognises individuals who contribute to advancing standards of care and collaboration across the obesity community. Ken shared: “I was delighted to be nominated by respected peers and thrilled to announce this on World Obesity Day 2026. I’m proud to have played a role in ensuring the voice of lived experience is heard.” Congratulations, Ken, on this well-deserved recognition! #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WOD2026

The voices behind this year’s World Obesity Day made it truly meaningful. A huge thank you to our council members, partners, patient advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, and everyone with lived experience who took part. Your dedication, stories, and advocacy continue to move this conversation forward across the world. Because of you, awareness was raised, important discussions were started, and the call for better prevention, care and policy grew stronger. Here at ECPO we are proud to stand alongside such a committed community working to ensure people living with obesity are heard, supported and represented. But the work doesn’t stop here. It’s not too late to take part: keep sharing your posts, stories, and events and continue spreading the message using our hashtags. Together, we keep the momentum going. #AddressingObesityTogether #WODEurope #WorldObesityDay

As part of ECPO’s #AddressingObesityTogether campaign for #WorldObesityDay, we are exploring the 360° of obesity care and the different approaches that can support people living with obesity. In this video, Ken Clare from ECPO speaks about the range of treatments that may be part of obesity care. These can include nutritional and physical activity support, psychological support, medications, and bariatric surgery. Obesity is a complex, chronic disease and care often involves a combination of approaches that reflect the needs of each individual. Understanding the full spectrum of treatment options helps people living with obesity make informed decisions and encourages more open conversations about obesity care. youtu.be/vkL11H_HCgs #AddressingObesityTogether #WorldObesityDay #WODEurope #ObesityDay2026 youtu.be/vkL11H_HCgs

Weight stigma can have serious consequences for people living with obesity, affecting mental health, physical health, and access to care. Recognising and challenging bias is an important step toward better outcomes. This #WorldObesityDay, we are #AddressingObesityTogether. #WODEurope #ObesityDay2026

Weight stigma and bias can create real barriers to care for people living with obesity. Respectful, person-centred healthcare helps people feel safe to seek support when they need it. This #WorldObesityDay, we are #AddressingObesityTogether. #WODEurope #ObesityDay2026

🇧🇬 Bulgaria is also contributing to the European movement for #WorldObesityDay. Next on the #WODEurope Live Feed, we hear from Yavor Assiov from the organisation Together, who shares plans for a Together Day event taking place in collaboration with Bulgarian Association for the Study of Obesity and medical students. The event will bring people together to discuss obesity and improve understanding of the disease. Part one of the programme will focus on media and patients, helping to strengthen awareness and ensure accurate messaging around obesity. Part two will be aimed at students and healthcare professionals, supporting education and dialogue around obesity care. Watch the video and learn more about the activities taking place in Bulgaria: woday.eu/world-obesity-… Across Europe, patient organisations are working together to raise awareness and challenge stigma. Let’s continue #AddressingObesityTogether. #WorldObesityDay #WODEurope

🇨🇿 The Czech Republic is also joining the European movement for #WorldObesityDay. Next on the #WODEurope Live Feed, we hear from Helena Havelková from STOB, who shares details about an upcoming conference taking place on 15 March. The event will bring together experts and advocates to discuss a range of topics related to obesity, including nutrition, treatment approaches, and obesity management medications. The conference aims to support greater understanding of obesity as a complex disease and highlight the importance of evidence-based care. Watch the video and learn more about the activities taking place in the Czech Republic: woday.eu/world-obesity-… Across Europe, patient organisations continue to raise awareness and promote better understanding of obesity. Let’s keep #AddressingObesityTogether. #WorldObesityDay #WODEurope

🇷🇴 Romania is also adding its voice to the European movement for #WorldObesityDay. Next on the #WODEurope Live Feed, we hear from Lorenzo Radu from Together Against Obesity, who shares the activities taking place in Romania to raise awareness and improve understanding of obesity. Working in collaboration with partners, the organisation will be sharing key messages about obesity as a disease through a newsletter, press release, and a live webinar focused on obesity and stigma. These initiatives aim to help increase public understanding, challenge misconceptions, and highlight the importance of recognising obesity as a complex chronic disease. Watch the video and learn more about the activities taking place in Romania: woday.eu/world-obesity-… Across Europe, patient organisations are continuing to work together to raise awareness and challenge stigma. Let’s keep #AddressingObesityTogether. #WorldObesityDay #WODEurope

🇵🇹 Portugal is continuing to support the European movement for #WorldObesityDay. Next on the #WODEurope Live Feed, we hear from Mário Silva from Associação Portuguesa Contra a Obesidade Infantil (APCOI), who shares a unique initiative taking place across Portugal. APCOI has mobilised an army of volunteers who will be visiting schools to read the book “Mum, What is Obesity?”, helping children better understand obesity and encouraging open conversations from a young age. Through education and community engagement, the initiative aims to build awareness and reduce stigma by explaining obesity in a clear and supportive way. Watch the video and learn more about the activities taking place in Portugal: woday.eu/world-obesity-… Across Europe, organisations are working to improve understanding and ensure future generations grow up with a more informed and compassionate view of obesity. Let’s continue #AddressingObesityTogether. #WorldObesityDay #WODEurope

This #WorldObesityDay, we are #AddressingObesityTogether. #WODEurope #ObesityDay2026

Supporting effective obesity care is an important step in protecting liver health. #AddressingObesityTogether this #WorldObesityDay. #WODEurope #ObesityDay2026