First briefing Helsinki May 29th 1700 hours

Teleconference facilities - Dial in to take part - +358 9824 85357 - line opens at 1630 hours

A major new initiative on obesity for the whole of Europe is to be launched in Helsinki.

Details of this ambitious programme and highlights of the 12th European Congress of Obesity unveiling the latest thinking on obesity research will be unveiled.

When: Thursday 29th May 2003, at 17:00-18:00.

Where: Helsinki Fair Centre Auditorium prior to the official opening of the European Congress on Obesity

Who: The co-chairs of ECO, Dr. Mikael Fogelholm and Prof. Aila Rissanen, and Prof Philip James, chair of the International Obesity TaskForce, Prof Peter Kopelman, president-elect of the European Association of Study on Obesity and Prof Vojtech Hainer, chair of the EASO Obesity Management Task Force.

Media Information and registration: Please contact ECO communication secretary Ms. Tellervo Aho e-mail: anekdootti@kymp.net
mobile +358 50 3375 496 (in Finland: 050 3375 496)

IASO International Obesity TaskForce  - Neville Rigby, Director of Policy and Public Affairs
Tel +44 2076911900 / +44 7939250347 e-mail: neville.rigby@iotf.org.

Invitation to ECO Scientific Press Conference Friday May 30th
Helsinki Fair Centre Auditorium on Friday May 30th at 11:00 to 12:30

Physiology, epidemiology, nutrition, genetics, psychiatry, pediatrics. Obesity is a growing problem covering a wide range of disciplines. A considerable number of researchers are challenged by trying to solve the mysteries behind this global epidemic. About 1500 on them will meet at the 12th European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Helsinki, May 29th to June 1st, 2003.

Press and media representatives are invited to attend or dial into the teleconference hut for the ECO press conference where speakers will reveal some of the latest issues in obesity research and be available to answer your questions.

Programme
Opening and introduction to the speakers
Mikael Fogelholm, Finland – chairman of the 12th ECO.

Is it all in the genes?  - Sadaf Farooqi, United Kingdom

Reducing cancer risk by diet and weight control - Inger Thune, Norway

A vascular disease called type II diabetes - Markku Laakso, Finland

The health risks facing an obese generation - Dénes Molnar, Hungary

The hidden dimension - obesity as a psychosocial problem - Janet Treasure, UK

Media representatives are welcome to attend all presentations by showing your press card at the congress registration (main entrance). The abstracts can be found from the congress website www.eco2003.net on the 31st May.

Information and registration: communication secretary of ECO, Ms. Tellervo Aho,
e-mail:anekdootti@kymp.net, mobile +358 50 3375 496 (in Finland: 050 3375 496).