11th International Congress on Obesity (ICO2010)

On behalf of the Organising Committee it is a real pleasure for me, as President of the 11th International Congress on Obesity, to welcome you to Stockholm in July 2010.
Obesity research is expanding and in its broadest sense comprises numerous aspects of science, from molecular biology to sociology, from genetics to behavioral modification technology. The exploding global obesity epidemic has made research in this area of the utmost importance to society, and at every International Congress on Obesity to date, break through scientific news has been presented, highlighting just how dramatically the research in this field is moving forward.
Stockholm at the time of the congress will be beautiful - the sun shines late into the evening and the whole city on water offers splendid sights. As a congress organiser and President, I am in the ambivalent situation of preferring stormy weather in order to keep participants in the auditoria, yet as a proud resident of Stockholm, I also want to share my love for this attractive city. I hope that a compromise can be achieved by combining a few days of intensive scientific information exchange with some time for relaxation and touring in the Stockholm archipelago - with its unique attractions and its 50,000 islands, most of which are actually accessible to anyone with a picnic basket and a swim suit you only need to hire one of the many white steamboats!
The social programme includes an opportunity to participate in a reception at the magnificent Stockholm City Hall, allowing you to sample the atmosphere of the place where the annual Nobel festivities are celebrated.
Scientifically, the 11th International Congress on Obesity will build on its predecessors. It is difficult to predict what the hot topics will be in 2010, but we anticipate that we will have an opportunity to discuss in depth the genetic determinants of obesity as well as new treatment strategies. Childhood obesity is a rapidly developing research area and recent suggestions relating to healthy diets may provoke research we can at this time only speculate about. We are confident of developing an exciting and challenging programme!