This OBEClust webinar explores obesity as a chronic, relapsing and multifactorial disease. It brings together scientific, policy, research and lived-experience perspectives to promote stigma-free communication and systems-based responses.
HealthyW8 is pleased to announce its participation in an upcoming OBEClust webinar titled “Strengthening Understanding of Obesity as a Chronic Disease”, taking place on Thursday 5th February 2026.
This online event is organised by OBEClust, the European cluster of EU-funded projects collaborating to address obesity through prevention, early detection, systems-level research and policy innovation.
Webinar Aim and Focus
The webinar aims to strengthen shared understanding of obesity as a chronic and multifactorial disease, and to support evidence-based, respectful communication across research, policy and practice.
By bringing together scientific, policy, research and lived-experience perspectives, the event will explore how improved knowledge and framing can:
- Reduce stigma and misconceptions around obesity
- Strengthen research relevance and interpretation
- Support system-level responses beyond individual behaviour change
Programme Highlights
The 75-minute webinar will feature five expert talks, each delivered by a representative from each OBEClust project.
Key contributions include:
- Lived experience perspectives on respectful, person-centred engagement in research, healthcare and public communication (Ken Clare, ECPO)
- Opening keynote on obesity as a chronic health condition requiring long-term, systems-based attention (Prof. Jan Eriksson, PAS GRAS)
- Global insights into psychosocial and cultural drivers of obesity and related eating disorders (Fernando Fernández-Aranda, eprObes)
- Research perspectives on health literacy and shift work, highlighting occupational determinants of obesity risk (Dr Bianca Fuchs-Neuhold, Shift2Health)
- Policy spotlight on Italy’s new obesity law, formally recognising obesity as a chronic disease, including implications for research, care pathways and health systems
- This session will include contributions from BIO-STREAMS / HealthyW8, presenting health-economic modelling and policy-relevant evidence.
Who Should Attend?
The webinar is intended for a broad professional audience, including researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, behavioural scientists, nutrition experts, policymakers, digital health researchers, data specialists and patient advocates.
Why This Matters
Reframing obesity as a chronic disease helps move away from deficit-based and individually focused narratives, placing greater emphasis on systems, environments, determinants and policy. This approach supports more accurate science, non-stigmatising communication and more effective, sustainable interventions.
👉 Registration: