Kathmandu, February 23
Medical professionals from across South Asia convened in Kathmandu for a landmark regional congress addressing the region’s growing obesity crisis on February 22. Organised by the South Asian Obesity Forum (SAOF) and led by its President, Dr Dina Shrestha, the conference gathered experts from over 10 countries to discuss tailored strategies for combating obesity.
According to a press statement released by SAOF, with over 200 participants, the event focused on reviewing policies, improving access to nutritious food, and strengthening nutrition practices. The conference also aimed to galvanise leadership and push for a unified call to action to accelerate solutions for obesity management.
Founded in 2024, the SAOF brings together experts from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India under the tagline “United Against Obesity.” The forum has already published three editions of The Asian Journal of Obesity and issued a region-specific declaration.
The event highlighted South Asia’s “double burden” of malnutrition—where rising obesity rates coexist with persistent undernutrition. It added that experts emphasised the need for stronger leadership and multi-sector approaches to tackle the issue. Participants left with a renewed commitment to advancing obesity care and policy reforms in the region.
