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ECO 2009 -- the 17th European Congress on Obesity

Updated congress preview

Come to Europe's premier obesity conference and hear about new research on the whole spectrum of obesity science, from the causes and consequences of obesity to prevention and treatment.

Excess body weight is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer, making obesity one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. With global rates in adults and children on the rise, the condition is considered one of the most significant public health challenges of the 21st century.

The conference will discuss the latest advances in genetics, dietary and physical activity interventions, metabolism science, surgery, appetite hormone research and weight loss drugs, as well as the latest evidence on epidemiological trends and the determinants of obesity-promoting behaviour.

The European Association for the Study of Obesity welcomes the interest of the media in obesity issues and is happy to provide full assistance to journalists attending ECO 2009. A media centre with computing, fax, photocopying and free international phone and Internet connections will be available. English-speaking press officers will be on hand to assist you.

NB: the official language of ECO 2009 is English and all press materials will be in English.

Here is a sample of the topics covered in presentations at the conference (embargoed to time of presentation at ECO 2009)

• Are children who go to schools with lots of timetabled physical education more active than those who get little PE time at school?
• Can popular vibration plate machines help you lose weight?
• Results of the first study to tease out the relative contributions of food and exercise habits to the development of the obesity epidemic.
• Could probiotic supplements play a role in combating obesity?
• Which nutrition labelling approach is most effective in helping consumers correctly identify healthier food at the supermarket?
• How obesity influences marriage prospects for men.
• Thwarting the fat gene with physical activity.
• Research comparing the effect of various types of dietary protein on appetite suppressing hormones.
• How does living close to fast food outlets influence childhood obesity?
• New insights into the link between sleep deprivation and obesity.
• New evidence on television advertising of unhealthy food during children's peak viewing times.

ECO 2009 is open to bona fide representatives of print and electronic media. Registration is free of charge to journalists who are in possession of a valid, recognised press card. Freelance journalists must present a commissioning letter on headed paper from a recognised news organisation or publication along with a sample copy of the publication in the form of a web link or photocopy.

The media registration form (which can be downloaded from the ECO 2009 website at http://www.easo.org/eco2009/press.htm) should be sent, along with supporting documentation, to: to: eco2009@easo.org or by fax to +44 20 7636 9258.

Journalists must present the original of the press card or of the commissioning letter in person at the conference registration desk.

Media registration in advance is strongly recommended. You may register on site providing you produce official press credentials. (Business cards are NOT acceptable).

Hotel rooms can be booked through the ECO 2009 website at: http://www.easo.org/eco2009/accommodation.htm

NB: hotel rooms will go very quickly so early booking is recommended.

For media enquiries about the congress, contact Emma Ross, media consultant:
Email: rosswrite@mac.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7193 4349
Mobile: +44 (0)7590 563 314

More information on the programme is available on the congress website at: http://www.easo.org/eco2009/

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