Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

About us

The 23rd Global Forum on Obesity and Metabolic Disorders is scheduled to be held on May 25–26, 2026, in Rome, Italy, bringing together global leaders, researchers, clinicians, and industry experts to explore the latest developments in obesity and metabolic health. Under the theme “Obesity and Metabolic Disorders: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions,” the forum aims to provide a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation in tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. This forum will offer an interdisciplinary approach, featuring keynote lectures, plenary sessions, workshops, oral and poster presentations, and interactive panel discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss cutting-edge research, emerging therapies, technological advancements, and evidence-based strategies in obesity management, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular risk, pediatric obesity, nutrigenomics, and personalized medicine.

The target audience for this forum includes endocrinologists, diabetologists, nutritionists, healthcare professionals, researchers, academicians, policy makers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals, and students. It provides an excellent opportunity for networking, fostering collaborations, and sharing innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes and public health policies.

Abstract submissions for the conference will be accepted in three rounds: the first round on January 25, 2026, the second round on March 25, 2026, and the third round on May 5, 2026. Accepted abstracts will be featured in the conference proceedings, providing participants with recognition and opportunities to present their work to an international audience.

Sessions

Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity and Metabolic Dysregulation

Obesity is a multifactorial condition driven by complex molecular interactions involving energy imbalance, neurohormonal signaling, and dysregulated metabolic pathways. Research highlights the roles of adipokines, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress in fueling metabolic dysregulation. Key cellular pathways, including AMPK, mTOR, and PPAR signaling, are central to understanding energy utilization and storage. Deciphering these molecular mechanisms not only deepens knowledge of obesity pathophysiology but also opens opportunities for precision therapies targeting fundamental biochemical imbalances.

Adipose Tissue Biology and Inflammation

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ influencing metabolic health through adipokine secretion and immune modulation. In obesity, adipose expansion leads to hypoxia, macrophage infiltration, and chronic low-grade inflammation, creating systemic insulin resistance and organ dysfunction. The interplay between white, brown, and beige adipose tissue highlights the dual roles of fat in energy storage and thermogenesis. Advanced research into inflammatory cascades, cytokine networks, and adipose remodeling provides insights into therapeutic strategies that aim to restore metabolic balance and reduce obesity-related morbidity.

Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus, where impaired insulin signaling in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver results in hyperglycemia and metabolic imbalance. The pathogenesis involves defective insulin receptor activity, increased free fatty acids, and chronic inflammation contributing to β-cell stress and eventual dysfunction. This progression links obesity directly to type 2 diabetes development, making early detection and intervention critical. Novel biomarkers, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological agents, and emerging therapies such as incretin-based treatments are transforming management approaches to mitigate long-term complications.

Endocrine Regulation of Appetite and Energy Homeostasis

Appetite and energy balance are orchestrated by intricate neuroendocrine networks involving the hypothalamus, gut hormones, and adipokines. Leptin, ghrelin, GLP-1, and insulin play pivotal roles in signaling hunger, satiety, and metabolic adaptation. Dysregulation of these hormonal pathways promotes overeating, weight gain, and metabolic disease progression. Advances in endocrinology are leading to targeted therapies that restore appetite control and energy expenditure, including incretin mimetics, dual-acting agonists, and hormone-based interventions. Understanding these regulatory pathways enhances therapeutic opportunities for sustainable weight management.

Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Interventions in Obesity

The relationship between nutrition, gene expression, and metabolic health has gained significant attention through nutrigenomics. Diet composition can influence metabolic pathways, epigenetic modifications, and individual susceptibility to obesity. Personalized nutrition strategies tailored to genetic profiles and metabolic needs are emerging as precision approaches for prevention and treatment. Nutritional interventions focusing on macronutrient quality, micronutrient adequacy, and bioactive compounds demonstrate profound effects on body weight, insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammation. These insights pave the way for individualized dietary therapies that optimize health outcomes in obesity management.

Pharmacological Therapies for Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

Pharmacotherapy represents a critical component of obesity treatment when lifestyle modification alone is insufficient. Current drug therapies target appetite regulation, energy expenditure, and nutrient absorption, with agents including GLP-1 receptor agonists, GIP analogues, and lipase inhibitors. Novel therapies are being developed to address multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously, offering broader efficacy. Safety, long-term outcomes, and adherence remain challenges, but ongoing research into dual and triple hormone agonists and gene-targeted drugs holds promise for revolutionizing medical management of obesity and its metabolic complications.

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: Advances and Outcomes

Surgical interventions remain the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion not only promote significant weight loss but also induce rapid improvements in glycemic control, cardiovascular risk, and overall survival. Recent innovations focus on minimally invasive techniques, improved perioperative care, and long-term outcome monitoring. The metabolic benefits of surgery extend beyond weight reduction, highlighting the hormonal and microbiota shifts that contribute to remission of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in nutrient absorption, energy regulation, and immune function. Dysbiosis has been strongly linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation. Specific microbial profiles influence short-chain fatty acid production, bile acid metabolism, and systemic signaling pathways, impacting metabolic health. Modulation of the gut microbiota through diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation is being explored as a therapeutic strategy. Research advances are uncovering microbiome-based biomarkers and interventions that may offer novel pathways for combating obesity and related disorders.

Cardiometabolic Complications of Obesity

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases including hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Excess adiposity induces endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and altered lipid metabolism, accelerating cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome further amplify cardiovascular risk. Preventive strategies targeting weight reduction, blood pressure control, and lipid optimization are essential. Advances in imaging, biomarkers, and therapeutic approaches are enabling earlier detection and intervention, ultimately reducing the burden of obesity-associated cardiovascular disease globally.

Pediatric and Adolescent Obesity: Early Prevention Strategies

Childhood obesity is a growing global concern with lifelong health implications. Early onset of obesity predisposes individuals to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and psychological comorbidities. Contributing factors include poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, genetic predisposition, and socio-environmental influences. Prevention strategies emphasize early nutritional interventions, physical activity promotion, and behavior modification. School-based programs, parental involvement, and policy-driven initiatives are proving effective in reducing prevalence. Advances in early diagnostics, digital health tools, and tailored interventions offer promising avenues for curbing obesity in younger populations.

Obesity-Related Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/NASH)

NAFLD and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), represent critical hepatic complications of obesity. Excess fat deposition in the liver leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and potential cirrhosis. Pathophysiological drivers include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress. NAFLD is strongly associated with cardiometabolic diseases, making early diagnosis essential. Imaging, biomarkers, and liver biopsy remain diagnostic tools, while weight reduction remains the cornerstone of management. Novel pharmacological agents targeting inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolic regulation are under development, holding potential for effective disease modification.

Genetics and Epigenetics of Obesity

Obesity is influenced by genetic predispositions and epigenetic modifications that interact with environmental and lifestyle factors. Genome-wide association studies have identified variants in genes regulating appetite, adipogenesis, and energy expenditure. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA regulation, contribute to obesity susceptibility and heritability. Understanding these molecular drivers is critical for advancing precision medicine. Ongoing research is uncovering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may lead to tailored prevention and intervention strategies in obesity and metabolic disorders.

Hormonal Imbalances and Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, with hormonal dysregulation as a key driver. Insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones significantly influence metabolic homeostasis. Imbalances in these endocrine systems exacerbate obesity and increase cardiometabolic risk. Clinical management requires integrated approaches combining pharmacological therapy, lifestyle modification, and targeted hormone interventions. Advances in endocrinology and metabolic research are refining strategies to identify at-risk individuals early and to optimize therapeutic outcomes through precision approaches.

Obesity, Cancer Risk, and Chronic Disease Associations

Excess adiposity contributes to increased risks of multiple cancers, including breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers, through mechanisms involving insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation. Obesity also accelerates the onset of other chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and renal dysfunction. Understanding the molecular and systemic links between obesity and chronic disease is critical for designing preventive and therapeutic strategies. Integrative care approaches and population-based interventions are necessary to mitigate the broad health impacts of obesity across diverse patient populations.

Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence, and Telemedicine in Obesity Care

Technological innovations are transforming obesity management by improving prevention, monitoring, and treatment adherence. Digital health platforms, wearable devices, and telemedicine solutions support personalized care delivery and patient engagement. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are advancing predictive analytics for obesity risk, treatment outcomes, and real-time intervention strategies. These technologies facilitate remote healthcare delivery, expanding access to effective obesity management worldwide. The integration of digital health with precision medicine offers transformative opportunities to improve outcomes and optimize healthcare resources.

Market Analysis

Obesity and metabolic disorders represent one of the fastest-growing global health and economic challenges of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, with more than 1 billion individuals currently classified as obese, including over 650 million adults and 340 million children and adolescents. This surge is driven by sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary patterns, genetic predispositions, and environmental influences, creating a global public health crisis. The economic burden is immense, with obesity-related illnesses—such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and certain cancers—accounting for billions in annual healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and premature mortality.

The global market for obesity treatment and management is experiencing steady growth, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. In 2023, the global obesity treatment market was valued at over USD 20 billion and is projected to surpass USD 45 billion by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8–10%. Key factors propelling this growth include increasing public awareness, government initiatives, advances in pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery demand, and the integration of digital health solutions for weight management and lifestyle interventions. Pharmaceutical innovation, particularly the emergence of GLP-1 receptor agonists, dual incretin agonists, and pipeline therapies targeting appetite regulation and metabolic pathways, has revolutionized the obesity therapeutics landscape, with blockbuster drugs achieving significant uptake in both developed and emerging markets.

The bariatric surgery segment also represents a vital share of the market, with procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy offering sustainable outcomes in patients with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome. Global demand for minimally invasive techniques and improved post-operative care is expanding the adoption of surgical interventions, especially in regions with high obesity prevalence. However, surgical access remains limited by cost, availability of skilled professionals, and patient acceptance. Complementing surgical and pharmacological therapies are the rapidly expanding nutritional and behavioral intervention markets, where nutrigenomics, personalized diets, and digital weight-loss platforms are gaining popularity. Mobile health apps, telemedicine, and wearable devices enable continuous monitoring and personalized coaching, significantly improving adherence and long-term outcomes.

Geographically, North America dominates the obesity and metabolic disorder market, owing to high obesity prevalence, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and rapid adoption of novel therapeutics. The United States alone spends over USD 170 billion annually on obesity-related healthcare, creating strong demand for innovative treatments. Europe follows closely, with increasing public health campaigns, reimbursement frameworks, and strong clinical research activities. The Asia-Pacific region, however, is projected to witness the fastest growth due to rising urbanization, lifestyle changes, and growing middle-class populations susceptible to obesity and diabetes. Countries such as China and India face a dual burden of undernutrition and obesity, making them focal points for healthcare interventions and industry growth.

Despite strong growth prospects, the market faces several challenges, including high treatment costs, limited long-term efficacy of certain interventions, safety concerns with pharmacological agents, and cultural barriers affecting lifestyle modification adherence. Additionally, obesity remains stigmatized in many societies, often discouraging individuals from seeking professional care. Addressing these barriers requires integrated approaches that combine medical, nutritional, psychological, and technological strategies. The increasing focus on preventive healthcare, workplace wellness programs, and school-based interventions reflects a growing recognition of obesity as a systemic issue requiring multi-sectoral solutions. Industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, healthcare providers, and digital health innovators, are increasingly collaborating to deliver comprehensive solutions. The pipeline for obesity and metabolic disorder treatments is robust, with multiple late-stage clinical trials exploring novel mechanisms such as GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists, amylin analogues, and microbiome-based therapies. These innovations are expected to expand treatment options and reduce long-term complications, ultimately lowering healthcare expenditures. Meanwhile, governments and insurers are gradually expanding reimbursement coverage for obesity treatments, acknowledging the substantial cost savings associated with reducing obesity-related chronic disease burden.

Past Conference Report

Obesity summit -2023

The 22nd International Conference on Obesity & Weight Loss was successfully held on November 29–30, 2023, in Manila, Philippines, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, academicians, and industry experts from across the globe. The event served as an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing the latest innovations in obesity management, metabolic research, nutrition, and preventive strategies. The conference featured highly engaging keynote lectures, plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions led by internationally renowned experts. Topics included the molecular mechanisms of obesity, advances in bariatric surgery, pharmacological therapies, lifestyle interventions, and the role of digital health in weight management. A strong focus was placed on addressing childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and associated chronic conditions, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between researchers and practitioners. Poster and oral presentations from young researchers and early-career professionals added significant value, highlighting innovative approaches and new perspectives in obesity research. The Young Researcher Forum (YRF) and interactive Q&A sessions encouraged active participation, making the event highly dynamic and collaborative.

The Manila edition of the conference received outstanding feedback for its scientific quality, excellent hospitality, and the diverse networking opportunities it offered. Delegates appreciated the unique blend of academic insights with cultural experiences in the Philippines. Overall, the 22nd International Conference on Obesity & Weight Loss marked a resounding success, paving the way for future editions with greater collaborations, innovative solutions, and continued advancements in the fight against obesity worldwide.