Childhood obesity is rising rapidly in Europe, with approximately one in three primary school-aged children affected. This trend poses significant long-term health risks, including severe obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Addressing this issue in adulthood is challenging, making early prevention and treatment crucial.

The OBELISK project, a new European initiative, aims to combat childhood obesity by focusing on four key principles:

• Prediction
• Prevention
• Precision
• Participation

The project seeks to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving obesity, develop predictive tools, and explore new preventative treatments, including potential drug therapies for genetically predisposed children. OBELISK also emphasizes a participatory approach, engaging families, schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers in educational programs to support the project’s goals.

ECOG President, David Thivel, highlights the importance of OBELISK, noting that “it offers a significant opportunity to enhance knowledge and improve prevention and treatment strategies for childhood obesity across Europe.”

ECOG is a partner of the OBELISK Project.

More information about ECOG’s role in this project is available here.