ASO Evidence to Parliament
Dr Claudia Coelho
Adult Centres for Obesity Management Lead
Association for the Study of Obesity
Health and Social Care Select Committee
Obesity Treatment and Services
Listen to the session
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
#WorldObesityDay
New research published in The Lancet: Adult obesity and risk of severe infections: a multicohort study with global burden estimates (Nyberg, Solja T et al).
#WorldObesityDay
#WOD2026
#WorldObesityDay
⏳ 2 days until #WorldObesityDay ⭕
Obesity isn’t driven by willpower - it’s shaped by the systems around us. That’s why action on obesity means healthier societies for everyone.
There are #8BillionReasons to act.
👉 www.worldobesityday.org
#WOD2026 #SystemsChange #ActOnObesity
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Sundus Mahdi and Maha Abbasi to our Policy Team, and Sara Alfaraidi and Lindsay Robinson to the Communications Team.
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Andrew Parke, Dr. Rebecca Jones, and Corrine Bolland to the Communications, Partnerships and Networks Sub-committee.
We are delighted to announce that registration for the UK Congress on Obesity (UKCO) 2026 is now OPEN! Join us for insightful talks, symposia, and networking opportunities, where we will share the latest research, explore new ideas, and reconnect with colleagues and friends.
tinyurl.com/dr5aedjd
📄 Research update:
Research published in The Lancet revealed that the cardioprotective effects of semaglutide were independent of baseline adiposity and weight loss, suggesting some mechanisms for benefit beyond adiposity reduction.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
📄 Research update:
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Obesity Reviews observed a statistically significant dose-response relationship between adverse childhood experiences and metabolic syndrome.
Read the full paper here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41601204/
We are pleased to announce that Professor Emilie Combet of the University of Glasgow has been appointed President of the Association for the Study of Obesity .
Further details on Professor Combet's work can be found here: aso.org.uk/people/profe...
We are pleased to share a new post by @drkathroberts.bsky.social on why we urgently need the new Nutrient Profiling Model.
"Some argue that now is not the right time... But the health impacts of poor diet are not paused while we wait."
Read the full article: aso.org.uk/resource/why...
Today represents a turning point for UK food advertising as new restrictions on high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products come into effect. However, whole system changes are required to achieve meaningful progress.
Professor Emilie Combet (ASO President) responds ⬇️
As the year draws to a close, we’d like to thank Professor Nicola Heslehurst as she steps down as ASO President. We’d also like to thank our members, volunteers and partners for their support over the past year, and wish everyone in the ASO community a restful Christmas.
@nheslehurst.bsky.social
ASO is excited to be recruiting! 🎉Please share! 🌟
Lived Experience (Obesity Care) Lead
Apply: redcap.link/ASO_lived_ex...
12-month internships + £800 bursary
✨ Communications Intern
✨ Events Comms Intern
Apply: redcap.link/ASO_internsh...
Gov extends the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to sugary milk-based drinks and lowers the threshold to 4.5g/100ml.
Evidence shows the levy drives reformulation and reduces children’s sugar intake and obesity risk.
Gov estimates 17m calories/day removed.
ASO response: aso.org.uk/government-a...
Ahead of the Autumn Budget, ASO is drawing attention to its recent evidence submission to HM Treasury. The submission outlines practical proposals to improve access to obesity treatment, address inequalities, and support NHS sustainability.
Read the full submission here:
aso.org.uk/wp-content/u...
A new Lancet series reviews global evidence on ultra-processed foods. High UPF intake is linked with greater risks of obesity and NCDs, and trials show higher energy intake even with matched nutrients.
The authors argue the evidence supports action now.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Great to see obesity prevention and treatment highlighted in Parliament at the @rcpath.bsky.social event.
ASO’s Dr Kevin Deans shared why early intervention and accessible, individualised support make such a difference, and represented ASO in discussions on preventing obesity-related diseases.
Early career & interested in obesity research?
Check out these brilliant @ukaso.bsky.social early career internships ⬇️
Supported w/ a £800 bursary!
📆Extended deadline: 30th November
Please share w/ early career networks @easoobesity.bsky.social @divhealthpsych.bsky.social @bps-swoe.bsky.social
Are you 18+ and living with or have lived with obesity in the UK/Ireland? Share your experiences and views on what successful obesity management means to you in a 30min online interview.
If you are interested, please email: Nicole.juul-hindsgaul@kellogg.ox.ac.uk for details.
📣 Come and join us at ASO!
⏰ Less than one week to go to apply for one of our operational roles. If you are a clinician, researcher, policy professional or student with an interest in obesity, click the link below to learn more and apply (deadline: 19th October).
lnkd.in/eTg-iEkZ
Are you a clinician, researcher, policy professional or student with an interest in obesity?
We are expanding our operational committees to deliver more for ASO members and are now inviting applications for a wide range of roles.
To learn more: tinyurl.com/2a7kfbku
The UK Congress on Obesity, hosted by @ukaso.bsky.social, focused on "Understanding Obesity: From Research to Clinical and Public Health Practice." Researchers from @mrcepid.bsky.social attended to enhance our knowledge of obesity.
Excited to present our new large national randomised controlled trial on a digital, scalable weight loss maintenance intervention led by @amyahern.bsky.social at #UKCO2025. We're currently recruiting from various commissioned weight loss interventions throughout the UK. @ukaso.bsky.social
It’s hard to believe #UKCO25 wrapped up almost a week ago!
At ASO, we’re proud to bring together researchers, clinicians, policy experts & lived experience voices, creating space to share science, spark ideas & strengthen our community.
🎥 Hear what others had to say 👇
