Welcome

Invitation from the Congress President

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me and my co-chair Professor Tamás Forster to welcome you to the 8th Central European Congress on Obesity to be held online 7–8 October 2021.

The Central European region possesses a special geographical position in the largely inland countries of the continent with a number of unique and common cultural, social and economic needs. We believe that the regional congress is supportive in that line of necessities. At the same time, we hope that our participants also will arrive from all over the world as it happened in the past Budapest congresses.

The globally growing epidemic of overweight and obesity takes attention to the risk of obesity related co-morbidities, the excess risk of people living with obesity during the covid-19 pandemic, the significantly increased medical costs for the healthcare systems worldwide, and decrease the quality of life for the individuals. The increasing incidence and increasing degree of excess weight at the same time require multidisciplinary approach and global obesity management strategies.

The life-style, the physical, chemical, biological and socio-economic environmental factors are playing significant roles in the growing epidemic. The solution needs wide social collaboration above and beyond healthcare systems. The prevention of overweight and obesity is becoming more valuable on personal and on social levels too. The main focuses are the pre-obese conditions and especially the childhood.

Due to the scientific programme of 8th Central European Congress on Obesity we hope several new researches enrich our knowledge and professional opinions and good practices can also be exchanged in friendly conversations on the topic of obesity, which is one of the main, or even the greatest challenge for health care systems.

In the history of the CECONs the original idea leading to the foundation of the Central European Regional Congresses was initiated by Professor László Halmy at the 15th European Congress on Obesity in 2007 in Budapest and was supported by the Czech colleagues, who took the lead by organising the 1st Central European Congress on Obesity in Karlovy Vary in 2008.

Following the first event, Budapest gave home to the 2nd CECON entitled ’Quo Vadis, Obesitology?’ in 2009. Continuing the tradition, the 3rd CECON took place in Olsztyn, Poland in 2011. The 4th CECON was organised by the Romanian colleagues in Cluj Napoca in 2013, the 5th was hosted again in Budapest in 2015, and followed by the Slovakian colleagues’ activity in 2017 in Bratislava. The latest event was held by the Polish Society in Kliczkow, Poland 2019.

In light of the continuing worldwide situation, the CECON Organising Committee 2021 had to take a difficult decision to organise the 8th Central European Congress on Obesity Congress virtually.

We sincerely regret we will not be able to meet in person in the beautiful city of Budapest. We believe that still the online form will provide an excellent forum to introduce and discuss the latest results of international research in order to encourage development of regional scientific cooperation and draw the attention of decision-makers to form a consensus in the restraint of this epidemy. The virtual format will also offer an interactive e-exhibition allowing sponsors and partners to easily communicate with participants.

We believe you will not miss this unique occasion to strengthen your business relations and support the CECON VIRTUAL CONGRESS 2021.

We look forward to meeting you online.

Dr. Eszter Halmy (PhD)
Congress Chair