Brussels, 4 November 2025. The European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO) warmly welcomes the official launch of the MEP Interest Group on Obesity in the European Parliament which is a landmark political step toward ensuring that obesity is recognised and treated as a chronic, complex, recurring disease.
Developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) together with Members of the European Parliament and co-chaired by Dr Romana Jerković (MEP, Croatia) and Michalis Hadjipantela (MEP, Cyprus), the Interest Group will serve as a cross-party platform to strengthen Europe’s response to obesity and to advance coordinated policy and funding for prevention, treatment, and management.
The launch brought together policymakers, health professionals, and patient representatives to discuss how Europe can strengthen its response to the obesity epidemic and address the urgent inequalities faced by people living with obesity.
Representing ECPO, Mari-Mette Graff, ECPO Patient Advocate from Norway, delivered a powerful message about hope, fairness, and the need for meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience in shaping the way forward.
“The launch of the MEP Interest Group on Obesity gives hope to those of us living with obesity,” said Mari-Mette. “It can help Europe take a big step forward in recognising obesity as a chronic, recurring disease — and in ensuring that treatment and support are not dependent on income or background. Stigma must also be addressed, as it harms both health and quality of life.”
Mari-Mette emphasised that real progress will only come when people living with obesity are active partners in policymaking.
“It was an honour to represent ECPO at this event. Including people with lived experience is key to real progress. I asked Members of the European Parliament to listen to our stories and perspectives as this Interest Group develops. We are the ones who live with these conditions, treatments, and outcomes every day. Our voices matter because we bring insight, shape real solutions, and ensure that care remains focused on people’s lives.”
A Call to Action from ECPO
ECPO applauds Dr Romana Jerković and Michalis Hadjipantela for their leadership and urges the EU and its Member States to build on this political commitment by taking robust action to:
- Formally recognise obesity as a chronic, complex, recurring disease within EU and national health frameworks
- Integrate obesity treatment and management into routine healthcare, ensuring equitable access to multidisciplinary, person-centred care
- Establish reimbursement mechanisms for evidence-based treatments and support services
- Tackle stigma through education, the media, training, and public communication.
The launch of the MEP Interest Group marks a pivotal moment in advancing these priorities, but it must now translate into concrete action within EU and national policy.
“The time for statements of intent is over,” said ECPO Executive Director Vicki Mooney. “Europe must now move beyond recognition to real investment in patients, structured treatment and management, and equitable access for people living with obesity. Words alone will not change lives — we need funded, coordinated action within the healthcare system to make treatment and management a reality.”
ECPO looks forward to continuing to collaborate with EASO, Dr Romana Jerković, Michalis Hadjipantela, and European institutions to ensure that lived experience remains at the heart of all decisions shaping the future of obesity care and prevention.