Obesity Care and Cure Congress highlights

The Obesity Care and Cure Congress discussed on Friday medical implications and treatment of obesity and diabetes with bariatric surgeons presenting different techniques of obesity surgery: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastic banding and restrictive procedures, as well as minimally-invasive endoluminal solutions, primary and revisional surgery.

During the interactive one-day event, hosted by Maarefah's Events, bariatric surgeons, diabetologists, dieticians, endocrinologists, gastroentrologist, nutritionists and psychologists shared and exchanged knowledge, ideas and research in the arena of obesity, acquired new skills for the progress of obesity sciences and the interdisciplinary approach in obesity treatments.

The event provided a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of obesity and bariatric surgery.

Organisers said the global epidemic of overweight and obesity is rapidly growing, becoming a major public health problem in many parts of the world and it is one of the greatest health challenges. Excess weight, especially obesity, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers. As the level of excess weight increases, so does the risk of developing these conditions. In addition, being overweight can hamper the ability to control or manage chronic disorders.

This first session of the congress gave context to the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes (Diabesity), and provided a snapshot of its progression. A more medically-focused discussion took place, focusing on disease pathophysiology, medical and pharmaceutical treatment, implications in special circumstances like pregnancy and computer-aided and app-based psychotherapy of obese patients.

Speakers at the second session spoke about different aspects of prevention and research in diabetes. The nutritional strategies to control the onset and control obesity were also discussed, and the successful experience of the "EAT Project" a multi-component nutritional and lifestyle education project conducted in Milan was presented. Presentations included advancements in diabetes research in San Raffaele Hospital,Italy, technological advancements in obesity surgery, as well as research on cognitive coaching to sustain behavioral changes.

On obese patient’s experience, speakers discussed psychological involvement and management to maximize compliance, results and minimise patient discomfort, as well expert’s specific experience in using social networks and web experiences in the interaction and management of obese patients.