Obesity Reframed as Chronic Disease at European and Italian Conferences

At the European Congress of Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, more than 3,000 specialists highlighted that obesity is a complex chronic disease rather than a matter of personal will. Dr. Juliana Mosciulsky of Argentina emphasized the role of dysfunctional adipose tissue, inflammation and neuro‑hormonal pathways, and advocated for a multidisciplinary approach that treats obesity alongside diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The conference also presented data on GLP‑1 drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy), which can produce up to a 20 % weight loss in high‑dose trials.

Meanwhile, the 46th National Congress of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU) in Bergamo underscored new clinical guidelines that call for personalized, long‑term management of obesity. Experts stressed integrating nutrition, physical activity, behavioral support and, when appropriate, pharmacological or surgical interventions. Professor Simona Bo noted that anti‑obesity drugs modify appetite and satiety, improving metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes but must be delivered within structured, multidisciplinary programmes to mitigate side effects and sustain results.

Both gatherings pointed to a cultural shift aimed at reducing stigma, expanding diagnostic criteria beyond BMI, and improving access to comprehensive treatment for the millions affected worldwide.