Latest news with #EuropeanCongress
Fox News
31-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Billy Graham association event confronts threats to religious freedom
Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Rev. Franklin Graham, interviewed faith leaders at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's European Congress on Evangelism. (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
Bloomberg
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Body Scan Makers Are Trying to Cash in on Obesity Drug Boom
By Hi, it's Naomi in Berlin. I recently clipped a device to my heel to satisfy my vanity. More on that anon, but first... My ears perked up at the recent European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain when a young newspaper reporter walked into the press room muttering something about 'two kilos too much fat.' Apparently he'd gotten some surprising news from a body scan down in the presenters' hall.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Beyond the Scale: A New Era in Managing Obesity - Not merely a lifestyle issue
Groundbreaking treatments and rising awareness are reshaping how we tackle the world's most underdiagnosed disease A recent global study published in The Lancet has raised alarm bells across the UAE's healthcare landscape. It forecasts that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 25 and above in the UAE will skyrocket from 84% in 2021 to 94% by 2050 for males - the highest worldwide. For females, the figure is expected to reach 95%, ranking the UAE fourth globally. Even more concerning, obesity among UAE youth aged 15 to 24 is projected to surge from 62% in 2021 to 81% by 2050. This health crisis is largely attributed to sedentary lifestyles, excessive consumption of processed and fast food, and insufficient physical activity. However, it is crucial to recognize that obesity is not merely a lifestyle issue - it is a chronic, complex, and relapsing disease that demands serious medical attention and long-term management. We must avoid the misconception that obesity can be addressed simply by achieving a certain number on the scale. Obesity is not merely excessive adiposity; it is a serious, chronic, and relapsing disease that requires urgent attention. Left unmanaged, it can lead to more than 200 associated health complications. Fortunately, we are now in an era where highly effective treatments are available. As highlighted in last week's European Congress on Obesity, we now have medications like Semaglutide that not only support substantial weight loss but also deliver benefits across the cardio-kidney-metabolic spectrum. This is, in my view, the most significant takeaway from the Congress: for the first time, Semaglutide molecule is not only effective in weight reduction but also benefit other vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, liver while reducing inflammation. These developments are supported by robust evidence from numerous large-scale, randomized clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients globally. This marks a bright chapter in medical history. These new therapies are transforming treatment approaches across multiple medical disciplines, reinforcing the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to obesity care. At the same time, childhood and adolescent obesity is on the rise worldwide. It has become a major public health concern that calls for action through family counselling, proactive patient management, and early intervention. Statistics show that about 55% of children with obesity continue to be obese in adolescence. Around 80% of adolescents with obesity become obese adults, and nearly 70% remain so after the age of 30. Clearly, early action is crucial. However, we must also consider the flip side: approximately 70% of adults with obesity were not obese during childhood or adolescence. Therefore, while targeting children with obesity is important, it alone will not substantially reduce the burden of adult obesity. A broader and more inclusive strategy is required. In Europe, the prevalence of overweight individuals ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on the country. When combined with obesity, this figure rises to 50%–70% - a staggering statistic. It's a pandemic worse than COVID-19 in terms of its reach, affecting nearly three out of four people. Alarmingly, half of those living with obesity remain undiagnosed and untreated. In my home country of Italy, for example, the vast majority of patients with obesity are never formally diagnosed, and only a small fraction receive pharmacological treatment. We need early and targeted action that goes beyond just weight loss. The focus should be on reducing obesity-related complications such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and liver dysfunction. At the Congress, we saw compelling evidence of treatment options that address these conditions effectively. Managing obesity means more than just helping patients lose weight in the short term. It requires understanding each person's individual health profile, including genetics, environment, occupation, family background, risk factors, and coexisting health conditions. Early use of semaglutide, which has shown strong evidence of cardiovascular benefits in addition to weight loss, can help prevent further health deterioration and future complications. With such powerful treatments now available, we have an obligation as doctors to utilize them and improve the lives - and lifespans - of our patients. However, this is easier said than done. There is often a disconnect between what patients want and what doctors aim to achieve. While many patients focus solely on weight reduction, doctors strive for improved quality of life, fewer complications, and greater longevity. This is the mission of every committed healthcare provider: to offer the most effective, evidence-based therapies and to guide patients toward long-term wellness. That means spending more time with patients, educating them, and involving their families in the journey toward better health. The data presented at the Congress is practice-changing. It signals a shift from focusing only on statistics to achieving real-world health improvements. We are moving toward a patient-centered, holistic approach that recognises each individual's unique health journey. Just as diabetes care has evolved from a glucose-focused model to one that considers overall health, so too must our approach to obesity evolve. This paradigm shift is not just important - it is essential. We are facing a global obesity crisis that affects billions. The evidence is clear. The tools are in our hands. Now is the time for decisive action, ensuring that every individual with obesity receives the comprehensive care they need. By doing so, we can help extend lives and significantly improve quality of life for millions.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Becoming obese before the age of 30 ‘raises your risk of dying young by 75%' – are you at risk?
TOO much flab before the age of 30 can nearly double the risk of an early death, a study suggests. Vast weight gain and obesity at any age were found to be linked to a shorter lifespan, but the impact was greatest between the ages of 17 and 30. 1 Scientists say this is because health damage from fat builds up over time. NHS figures show that approximately one in five under-35s in England – 19 per cent – are obese. Professor Tanja Stocks, from Lund University in Sweden, said: 'Even modest weight gains in your 20s can significantly increase the risk of early death if they persist over several years. 'The earlier people embrace healthy living, the better the chance of a long life.' Prof Stocks' study, which was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, used decades of medical records from 620,000 people aged betweeb 17 and 60 who had their weight monitored. On average, male participants were tracked for 23 years, and female participants for 12 years. Experts said the years between 17 and 30 were a 'critical life stage'. They found becoming obese between these ages increased the risk of dying prematurely by 79 per cent for men and 84 per cent for women, compared to avoiding obesity until age 60. Among the under-30s, every pound gained per year increased the risk of an early death by 24 per cent for men and 22 per cent for women. Researchers calculated that weight gain before 30 increased the likelihood of early death from conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The 7 ways you're making your kids fat without knowing it - and why it might be time to bin your For women specifically, weight gain increased their risk of death from cancer - regardless of when it happened. Scientists said that the 'cumulative' effect of carrying weight for a long time was the most deadly. Those who gained weight later in life also had an increased risk, but to a lesser extent. Study co-author Huyen Le said: 'Avoiding weight gain, especially in your late teens and 20s, can have a major impact on your long-term health. 'Gaining weight early in adulthood, or developing obesity at a young age, is linked to a higher risk of dying from many chronic diseases later in life. 'Studies have also shown that weight gain in childhood is related to obesity in teenage and adulthood, which is why early obesity prevention is very important.' Seven in ten men are now classed as overweight Some 64.5 per cent of English adults were overweight or obese last year, according to new figures. That was a 0.5 per cent increase on 2023 — equivalent to around an extra 220,000 people. The total has gradually crept up since data was first collated in 2015, when it was 61 per cent. For men the rate is now 69.7 per cent, compared to 59.2 per cent for women, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities said. Katharine Jenner of the Obesity Health Alliance said: 'Successive governments have missed countless opportunities to turn the tide and we urge the current one not to make the same mistake.' Read more on the study here. People are classed as obese if their body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher – a weight of approximately 12st for an average 5'3' tall woman, or 14st for a 5'8' man. A damning study published earlier this year said nearly 50 million Brits could be obese by 2050, up from 38.4million in 2021 The warning sparked fears of mounting pressure on hospitals and medical facilities, with researchers estimating it could cost the NHS up to £10billion a year. Obesity is the second leading cause of cancer in the UK and also raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart diseases and dementia. Scientists at presenting their findings at the obesity conference in Malaga said blockbuster weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro could be used a cancer-beating weapon, after research showed they halved people's risk of developing disease. It was also suggested that that allow doctors to monitor their weight remotely. Hiding the figures aims to spare kid's feelings and stop their parents obsessing over numbers, researchers said.
Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Obesity in your twenties doubles your risk of dying young
Becoming obese before the age of 30 nearly doubles the risk of dying young, research has revealed. Scientists found that people's twenties are by far the most harmful time of life to gain weight, as it results in 'cumulative' damage to vital organs that can cause a range of diseases. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, looked at death rates among 620,000 adults in Sweden who had their weights monitored throughout their lives. The participants tended to put on weight as they aged, but deaths were significantly higher if people had gained weight in early adulthood compared with middle age. Between 17 and 29 was found to be the 'critical life stage' in which staying slim was vital to
