World Obesity Live – COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series | World Obesity Federation

World Obesity Live – COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series

NewsWorld Obesity Live – COVID-19 and Obesity Webinar Series

In response to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, the World Obesity Federation and colleagues launched a series of webinars on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Evidence is emerging that suggests that obesity-related conditions seem to worsen the effects of the virus; individuals with heart disease and diabetes are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and  patient management for people with obesity in intensive care units presents challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the front-line. These challenges will strain weak health systems that are already not well set up to manage patients with obesity (as reported by our MAPPS study published on Clinical Obesity).

Are you interested to learn more? Read World Obesity’s position statement on COVID-19 and Obesity here.

To date, there have been ten World Obesity Live webinars. 

  1. The collision of two pandemics: COVID-19 and Obesity
  2. People at the Centre: Obesity, COVID-19, and the Patient Perspective
  3. Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risk and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations
  4. COVID-19 and obesity: Emerging insights and policy implications
  5. Telemedicine for obesity management:  – a temporary or long-term solution?
  6. COVID-19, Obesity, and Inequity
  7. Obesity, COVID-19 and Food Systems: Collective action for a Healthy Recovery
  8. The time is now: Action on obesity in the time of COVID-19
  9. Obesity, CVD & COVID: the new frontier
  10. How are young people catalysing action on Childhood Obesity during COVID-19?

Webinar One

The collision of two pandemics: COVID-19 and Obesity

The first webinar of the series presented the growing evidence for the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms amongst patients with obesity.

Presentations addressed:

  • Evidence for increased risk for COVID-19 complications for patients with obesity
  • Evidence for special needs for patients with obesity
  • Evidence for increased viral shedding, reduced response to vaccination for patients with obesity
  • Psychological implications for patients with obesity

Our excellent panel of speakers included Ada Cuevas (Chile), Soo Lim (Korea), Donna Ryan (USA), Karine Clément (France) and Steve Heymsfield (USA).

Watch now
Webinar Two

People at the Centre: Obesity, COVID-19, and the Patient Perspective

The second webinar of the series delved into the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for people at the centre; patients with obesity and physicians.

Presentations addressed:

  • The concerns of patients with obesity in the face of the pandemic
  • The use of telemedicine to support obesity medicine practitioners on the front line.
  • The mental health implications for patients with obesity and their families
  • Special challenges and resources for patients and physicians

We were fortunate to be joined by patient representatives Allison Ibrahim (Kuwait) and Vicky Mooney (Ireland). Moreover Rekha Kumar, our colleague on the front line in NYC. Finally, Rachel Batterham (United Kingdom), Alice Pik Shan Kong (Hong Kong) and Abdullah AlOzairi (Kuwait).

Watch now
Webinar Three

Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risk and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations

The third webinar of the series explored the implications of COVID-19 for children, and the impact of the pandemic on the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity, a crucial public health concern.

Presentations addressed:

  • The existing public health approaches to address childhood obesity
  • The challenges and solutions for childhood obesity through a low middle-income country (LMIC) and equity lens
  • The impact of COVID-19 on childhood and adolescent obesity treatment

We were delighted to welcome colleagues from members TOS and EASO; Ania Jastreboff (USA) & Grace O’Malley (Ireland). Moreover, panellists from Latin America and the USA; Paula Michele Lashley (Barbados), Jo Jewell (USA) and Simon Barquera (Mexico).

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Webinar Four

COVID-19 and obesity: Emerging insights and policy implications

This fourth webinar explored the latest data that is emerging on COVID-19 and obesity, with a particular focus on the policy implications and policy response to date on obesity. Taking place a week after the WHO’s World Health Assembly, the webinar reflected on some of the opportunities for raising the profile of obesity on the global health agenda.

Presentations addressed:

  • The emerging data on COVID-19 and obesity
  • National COVID-19 responses that have included obesity
  • The WHO NCD response to COVID-19
  • Opportunities to raise the profile of obesity on the global health agenda
Watch now
Webinar Five

Telemedicine for obesity management: – a temporary or long-term solution?

The fifth World Obesity Live webinar explored the latest data that is emerging on COVID-19 and obesity, with a focus on telemedicine.  

The objective of the webinar was to present the protocols for a successful virtual obesity consultation. We will discuss perspectives on telemedicine for obesity management, both from a patient and provider perspective.  

Presentations addressed:

  • The ‘Gold Standard’ approach to delivering a virtual obesity consultation
  • The benefits & challenges of telemedicine for obesity management  
  • The role, if any, for telemedicine in the post pandemic world 
Watch now
Webinar Six

COVID-19, Obesity, and Inequity

In this sixth webinar we aimed to provide a platform for a range of geographical perspectives, and to examine some of the questions and sensitivities surrounding COVID-19, inequity, and obesity risk factors. We want to show the diversity of challenges and responses around the world, and how the interactions between obesity and COVID-19 are context specific and locally adapted approaches required.

In the first half of the webinar participants learned more about the complexity of the pandemic and the practical action being taken in different contexts. In the second half they will have the chance to listen to a discussion between speakers and pose questions via Zoom’s Q&A function.

Watct now
Webinar Seven

Obesity, COVID-19 and Food Systems: Collective action for a Healthy Recovery

Building on the success of the first six World Obesity Live events this interactive webinar, delivered in partnership with the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, took a step back and looked at obesity and COVID-19 in the wider context of food systems. 

This webinar considered how local and global food environments have been impacted by COVID-19, and the importance of food systems transformation in ensuring a healthy recovery for people and the planet.

Pre-reading

Watch here
Webinar Eight

The time is now: Action on obesity in the time of COVID-19

COVID-19 is disrupting health and food systems, and threatening progress on global obesity related goals. However, the emerging evidence and awareness of the links between obesity and COVID-19 provide an opportunity for governments to step up action on obesity and other diet-related NCDs, both within their response to and recovery from the current pandemic.

This debate style webinar brought together World Obesity members and policy makers from around the world to discuss what needs to happen to fast track action on obesity globally in this moment of crisis, but also how to implement these opportunities.

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Webinar Nine

Obesity, CVD & COVID: the new frontier

The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases as the association between the two has created a true health crisis.

The urgency of the current pandemic has increased as we discovered how two among the most widespread diseases in the world – cardiovascular disease and obesity – are risk factors for COVID-19 and increase its severity.

As new data is currently being collected and analysed we gathered a group of experts in these topics to discuss the links between these three diseases and understand how patients are affected by the current pandemic and how can we overcome the most common obstacles.

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Webinar 10

How are young people catalysing action on Childhood Obesity during COVID-19?

Thankfully, children are rarely seriously affected by medical complications of COVID-19 itself. However, there are indications that young people with obesity are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

COVID-19 is also likely to increase health inequalities, with consequences for the poorest children when, for example, schools are closed. During this time, it is essential to maintain momentum on childhood obesity, while ensuring policies to promote child health are included in efforts to build back better.

In this webinar, we hear from a group of inspirational speakers, who are determined to build a better world for all of us.

Watch Now

World Obesity Live slide decks

The collision of two pandemics: COVID-19 and obesity

Slide deck for the first World Obesity Live webinar on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Download (1.36 MB)

People at the Centre: Obesity, COVID-19, and the Patient Perspective

Slide deck for the second World Obesity Live webinar on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Download (2.93 MB)

Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risk and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations

Slide deck for the third World Obesity Live webinar on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Download (2.52 MB)

COVID-19, Obesity, and Inequity

COVID-19, Obesity, and Inequity slide deck

Download (3.99 MB)

COVID-19 and obesity: Emerging insights and policy implications

Slide deck for the fourth World Obesity Live webinar on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Download (4.23 MB)

Telemedicine for obesity management: a temporary or long-term solution?

Slide deck for the fifth World Obesity Live webinar on COVID-19 & Obesity.

Download (1.97 MB)

Obesity, COVID-19 and Food Systems

Slide deck for the seventh World Obesity Live webinar series.

Download (2.96 MB)

World Obesity Live Questions & Answers

COVID-19 and obesity: Emerging insights and policy implications Q&A

The 4th webinar Q&A.

Download (58 KB)

Children, Obesity and COVID-19: Risk and recommendations for the most vulnerable populations Q&A

The 3rd webinar Q&A.

Download (406.54 KB)

People at the Centre: Obesity, COVID-19, and the Patient Perspective Q&A

The 2nd webinar Q&A

Download (428.92 KB)

The collision of two pandemics: COVID-19 and Obesity Q&A

The 1st webinar Q&A

Download (113.44 KB)

Claiming SCOPE Points

Each webinar has been accredited with 0.5 SCOPE points, which count towards SCOPE Certification. SCOPE Certification is conferred by the World Obesity Federation and is the internationally recognised standard of excellence in obesity management. SCOPE Certification is awarded to health professionals with obesity management experience who have earned 12 SCOPE points.

Please indicate your interest to claim SCOPE points when you register.

CPD Accreditation

The World Obesity Federation endevour to get each webinar CPD Accredited. Accredited CPD training means the learning activity has reached the required Continuing Professional Development standards and benchmarks. The learning value has been scrutinised to ensure integrity and quality.

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