Multidisciplinary Symposium on Obesity

Dear colleagues,

I am honored to announce the First Regional Symposium on Obesity organized by the Scientific Society for Obesity – OBEM and the University Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Skopje, supported by the President and Vice-President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO).

Considering that obesity is a serious, complex, chronic disease that is not only an aesthetic problem but also a psychophysical and social disorder and has a direct impact on families and the state, this multidisciplinary symposium aims to raise awareness of this condition, for successful management of obesity, which should not be individual, but systemic, in which multiple systems such as health, government, fund, food agencies, media, as well as the environment in which we live and work should be involved.

Due to the pandemic growth, obesity poses a threat to humanity. The number of obese people in 2035 is expected to double, i.e. 2 billion obese people, while obesity in children is expected to increase by 100%. With over 200 comorbidities associated with obesity, this disease poses a serious threat to the health of the obese person. Timely measures to prevent obesity and timely treatment aim to prevent these chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, depression, etc.

The involvement of active participants in health policy in the Republic of Macedonia, such as the Minister of Health, the Director of the Health Fund, the presidents of scientific associations, obliges us to implement the joint conclusions of this symposium.

Many thanks to all lecturers, partners/sponsors and volunteers who contributed to the realization of this symposium.

I wish you a successful stay.

President of the National Institute of Health – OBEM,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irfan Ahmeti