Day two of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Masterclass shone a spotlight on the critical issue of childhood obesity, with leading experts offering insights into emerging treatments and the complexities of managing obesity across various populations.
Paulina Nowicka: Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Childhood Obesity The day’s discussions opened with Professor Paulina Nowicka, who focused on the intersection between neurodevelopmental disorders and childhood obesity. Nowicka highlighted the growing evidence linking neurodevelopmental challenges with an increased risk of obesity in children. Her session emphasized the importance of addressing both conditions simultaneously for effective treatment, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Jennifer Baker: The Outcomes of Childhood Obesity Treatment Professor Jennifer Baker slides discussed the crucial question: “What is the outcome we want in childhood obesity treatment?” It was emphasised that the goals extend beyond weight loss and must include improving overall health, psychological well-being, and quality of life. “We are at the threshold of a golden era with new obesity medications emerging,” it was noted, signalling a future where tailored treatments could revolutionise obesity care. However, it was cautioned that much remains unknown, particularly regarding why some individuals fail to respond to drug treatments or experience a plateau in weight loss.
Carl Roberts: The Mechanisms of New Medications Carl Roberts explored the mechanisms of action behind new obesity medications, delving into the science of how these drugs affect energy intake and behavior. He stressed the need for a more personalized approach to treatment, noting, “In order to deliver personalised treatment, it is necessary to characterise drug effects on behaviours associated with increased energy intake.” This approach, he argued, could help improve outcomes for patients struggling with weight management.
Roberts also highlighted the physiological challenges faced by people living with obesity, explaining that two main mechanisms—hunger and metabolic adaptation—create significant barriers to long-term weight loss. “These two mechanisms mean we are fighting against ourselves and always lose,” he stated, underlining the need for a better understanding of these processes to enhance treatment efficacy.
Dror Dicker: Managing and Prescribing New Medications Closing the day, Dror Dicker provided practical guidance on how to prescribe and manage the new wave of obesity medications. He pointed out that people with obesity often have a heightened sensitivity to food cues, making weight maintenance particularly challenging. “People living with obesity react much more aggressively to food cues, and this is why it is harder to maintain weight loss,” Dicker explained. His session focused on the careful management of these medications to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
With the #EASOed conference continuing to explore the complexities of obesity treatment, the second day underscored the importance of integrating medical, psychological, and behavioral strategies in the fight against obesity, particularly in children. The future looks promising with the development of new treatments, but significant challenges remain in understanding and managing individual responses to therapies.
As the world faces an ongoing obesity epidemic, the insights shared at EASO’s Obesity Masterclass offer hope and direction for future research and treatment.