The 32nd European Congress on Obesity (ECO), hosted by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) and Sociedad Espanola para el Estudio de la Obesidad (SEEDO), took place in Málaga, Spain, from 11-14 May 2025. Over 4,000 delegates from around the world gathered to discuss the latest in obesity research – spanning early prevention, clinical care, public health, and basic science.
BETTER4U at ECO2025
BETTER4U was represented at ECO2025 with scientific contributions from several consortium members. The project was showcased in a collaborative focus group with representatives of the European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO), in partnership with EASO, highlighting shared efforts in obesity management. Additionally, BETTER4U project partners from the Centre for Studies and Research in Social Dynamics and Health (CEIDSS) presented two posters based on COSI Portugal data, emphasising intergenerational impacts of obesity and socioeconomic vulnerabilities in support of BETTER4U’s personalised approach to weight management.
Posters, EU Project Village and more
The two BETTER4U posters that were presented at ECO2025 included:
• Obesity and socioeconomic vulnerabilities: evidence from Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI Portugal) supporting BETTER4U – a tailored approach to weight management
• Understanding the intergenerational impact of obesity in Portugal: data from COSI to support BETTER4U – an innovative European project
BETTER4U also participated in the EU Project Village, sharing updates and connecting with related initiatives including BIO-STREAMS, PREVENT, OBCT, and NutriWell. Conversations throughout the congress aligned strongly with BETTER4U’s mission to advance personalised, AI-driven obesity prevention through systems-level research.
BETTER4U consortium teams, including representatives from Harokopio University of Athens, International Hellenic University, SWPS University, Karolinska Institute, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Helsinki, also participated in the congress featuring research from their respective teams on genetic and lifestyle determinants of obesity, including the reception of the EASO-NNF New Investigator Award in Public Health by Maria Kafyra from the Harokopio University of Athens for future research on the interplay between socioeconomic consequences and obesity presence.
Key Themes Relevant to BETTER4U
ECO2025 featured cutting-edge research that reinforces BETTER4U’s goals across multiple key domains:
• Mechanisms of obesity development: Basic science sessions explored adipose tissue biology, gut-host interactions, and microbiome composition. Research on microRNA profiles, thermogenesis, and extracellular vesicles provided insight into obesity-related metabolic changes
• Personalised interventions: Some scientific sessions focused on behavioural phenotyping, patient-centred care, and tailored lifestyle interventions. These approaches directly support BETTER4U’s aim to use AI and causal modelling to inform personalised treatment strategies
• Genetics and brain-based research: Several talks examined polygenic risk, intergenerational transmission, and shared brain pathways in obesity and eating disorders – highlighting the importance of integrating biological and psychological factors in prevention
• Digital tools and AI: Innovation in this area was presented through work on explainable AI for childhood obesity biomarkers and big data initiatives like the EU-funded project ‘IMI-SOPHIA’. Talks on precision pharmacotherapy and gut microbiota further showcased the shift toward data-driven, individualised care
Bringing the Patient Voice to BETTER4U
As part of BETTER4U’s commitment to patient-centred innovation, EASO hosted a focus group with the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO) during ECO2025. The session introduced BETTER4U concepts and gathered valuable feedback from individuals with lived experience of obesity to help refine project processes and improve project outcomes. This discussion marks the first of two focus groups that will contribute directly to shaping BETTER4U recommendations and guidelines, ensuring that the project reflects patient priorities and real-world needs.
Recognition of Research Excellence
Award-winning and keynote presentations echoed BETTER4U’s focus:
• Dr. Maria Kafyra received the EASO-NNF New Investigator Award for Public Health for work on personalised metabolic interventions
• Winner of the EASO-Novo Nordisk Foundation Obesity Prize for Excellence, which comes with a DKK 2 million award, Prof. Ruth Loos, delivered a keynote on polygenic risk and obesity across the life course. The 2025 winner, Prof. Kirsi Pietiläinen, discussed her research in identical twins with differences in BMI, which has significantly contributed to how understanding on the metabolic effects and complications of acquired obesity
• EASO Early Career Network (ECN) Best Thesis finalists presented studies on precision nutrition and adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles, reinforcing the relevance of mechanistic science for future interventions
Looking Ahead
ECO2025 highlighted a growing consensus: the future of obesity care lies in personalised, data-enabled, and context-sensitive strategies. BETTER4U remains at the forefront of this shift, working to develop globally adaptable interventions that reflect the complexity of obesity development and its determinants.
Explore More
• 📘 ECO2025 Programme Book
• 📄 Published ECO2025 abstracts
• 📅 Save the date: ECO2026 will take place 12–15 May 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye
• 📹 Watch ECO2025 Highlights
• 📸 ECO2025 Photo Gallery
