World Obesity Federation

26/05/2026

⏳ Under two months to go until

Join experts from around the world in Mexico City (15–17 July) for three days of cutting-edge science, collaboration and discussion on obesity treatment, prevention, policy and research.

Secure your place and be part of the conversations shaping the future of obesity care.

Register today: www.icocongress.com

21/05/2026

📢 Missed the original deadline? There’s still time.

Poster abstract submissions for have reopened!

Share your research, connect with experts from around the world, and be part of conversations shaping the future of obesity prevention, treatment and care.

📅 Deadline: Monday 25 May

Submit your poster abstract today:
🔗 https://icocongress.com/abstract-information/

19/05/2026

What makes ICO different? 🤔

In this Voices from ICO video, World Obesity Federation CEO Johanna Ralston reflects on the power of bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, public health experts and people with lived experience under one roof.

At ICO, conversations don’t stay in silos. Ideas, experiences and perspectives come together — helping shape stronger responses to obesity across health systems, food systems and communities worldwide.

That spirit of collaboration continues at in Mexico City 🇲🇽

📅 15–17 July 2026
🔗 Register now: www.icocongress.com

Join the global conversation on obesity prevention, treatment and care.

18/05/2026

This week, the World Obesity Federation is in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly.

We’re here because obesity is one of the defining global health challenges of our time - and it must be part of conversations on health systems, Universal Health Coverage, noncommunicable diseases, global health architecture and equity.

Throughout the week, we’ll be engaging with partners, policymakers, healthcare professionals, UN agencies and lived experience advocates to help advance coordinated, systems-based action on obesity.

Our focus this year includes:
🏥 Health systems and primary care
🩺 Obesity and metabolic health
📊 Liver health and integrated NCD responses
🌍 Universal Health Coverage and political leadership
⚖️ The importance of lived experience in shaping policy

Obesity does not exist in isolation - and neither do the solutions.

We look forward to sharing updates, discussions and insights from Geneva over the coming days.

🔗 Find out more about our work with the UN: https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/working-with-who/

13/05/2026

👋 Day two at European Congress on Obesity 2026 in Istanbul 🇹🇷

Our team is here all week and we’re looking forward to joining important discussions on obesity research, prevention, treatment, health systems and lived experience alongside colleagues from across Europe and beyond.

If you’re attending , stop by our table to say hello, meet the team, and learn more about our latest work and initiatives.

Looking forward to more conversations, collaboration and shared action over the days ahead.

07/05/2026

Early-life prevention can shape lifelong health outcomes.

Join us during the World Health Assembly for a hybrid event on preventing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes through stronger leadership, coordinated policy action and systems-based prevention.

Together with global partners, we’ll explore:
🔹New evidence on childhood obesity trends
🔹Policy action across schools, food systems and health systems
🔹Life-course approaches to prevention and care

📅 19 May
🕕 18:00–20:00 CEST
📍 Geneva + online

Register to join online: https://www.worldobesity.org/training-and-events/events/preventing-childhood-obesity-and-type-2-diabetes-advancing-leadership-for-sustainable-impact/

06/05/2026

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is now the fastest-growing cause of chronic liver disease globally - affecting an estimated 1.7 billion people worldwide.

Yet despite its close links to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and wider metabolic dysfunction, it remains largely absent from global NCD strategies and health system responses.

World Obesity has joined global partners in endorsing a new position statement calling for a World Health Assembly resolution on SLD and stronger action across prevention, early detection and integrated care.

Addressing obesity and metabolic health means looking beyond individual conditions and strengthening systems that support long-term, coordinated care.

➡️ Read more: https://www.worldobesity.org/news/new-global-position-statement-calls-for-action-on-steatotic-liver-disease-within-the-ncd-response

World Obesity join global partners in endorsing call for the adoption of a World Health Assembly resolution on SLD

01/05/2026

ICO 2026 is coming to Mexico City this July - and registration is open!

Join global experts, researchers, clinicians and advocates at the International Congress on Obesity to explore the latest science, policy and practice shaping the future of obesity prevention and care.

From cutting-edge research to real-world solutions, ICO 2026 is where the global community comes together to drive change.

📅 15–17 July 2026
📍 Mexico City
🔗 Register now: www.icocongress.com

Be part of the conversation.

28/04/2026

Your voice matters.

💻 Join our webinar: Speaking truth to power: How to turn lived experience into advocacy

📅 30 April
🕛 12:00–13:00 BST

Obesity affects over 1 billion people worldwide - but too often, the voices of those living with it are not heard in policy or decision-making.

This session will help you:
✔ Understand what advocacy is
✔ Learn how to get involved
✔ Build confidence to speak up
✔ Be part of a growing global movement

Because real change happens when lived experience is part of the conversation.

👉 Register now: https://www.worldobesity.org/training-and-events/events/speaking-truth-to-power-how-to-turn-lived-experience-into-advocacy

This online session addresses that gap by creating an accessible entry point into advocacy for lived experience.