2022 in review: Obesity Prevention and Control Society of Chinese Nutrition Society (OPCS-CNS)

The OPCS-CNS successfully held the '2022 World Obesity Day China Summit' and 'The 4th Belt & Road Initiative Global Health International Congress', and published the Expert Consensus on Obesity Prevention and Treatment in China.

2022 World Obesity Day China Summit

The '2022 World Obesity Day China Summit' online symposium was successfully held on March 4, 2022. The event was guided by the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) and Chinese Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA), organized by OPCS-CNS and Global Health Institute (GHI) of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), and co-organized by the National Institute for Nutrition and Health of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), and Behavioral Health Society of CPMA. Approximately 20,000 delegates attended the online symposium.

Well-known experts and leaders participated in the event, including those from organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Obesity Federation, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC), CCDC, CNS, CPMA, and many prestigious universities and hospitals. They shared their respective ideas and views through presentations, debates, and panel discussions, covering various topics such as the obesity epidemic situation, risk factors, prevention and treatment in China.

The symposium released the first promotional video for WOD in China, jointly produced by OPCS-CNS, the Health Education Special Fund of China Health Promotion Foundation, GHI of Xi’an Jiaotong University, and other partners. The symposium also released the '15 Recommendations for Action on Obesity Prevention and Control in China' (hereinafter referred to as “Recommendations for Action”), which is part of the 'Expert Consensus on Obesity Prevention and Control in China' released later by the Society.

OPCS-CNS promoted other activities, such as public education, academic exchange and promotion, and community services, to mobilise the public. The events set up a unique platform for public education and exchanging ideas and will forge greater cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The 4th Belt & Road Initiative Global Health International Congress & 2022 University Alliance of the Silk Road Health Forum

This congress was successfully held on 17 - 19 June 2022. The theme was 'Interdisciplinary International Collaboration • Addressing Human Challenges • Promoting Health for the Globe'. The three-day conference consisted of 24 forums, and more than 160 invited authoritative experts, local and international, presented at the conference, with 110,000 views online.

The cross-disciplinary multi-national cooperation team consisted of multiple members who jointly organised this successful high-class international conference. It was organised by XJTU Health Sciences Center, Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, the Health Sub-Alliance of the University Alliance of the Silk Road, OPCS-CNS, and many more. The Guiding Units are the CPMA and the CNS. The conference was co-organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), International Health Literacy Association (IHLA), World Obesity Federation, China Health Policy and Management Society (CHPMS), International Chinese Nutrition Young Scholar Network (ICNYSN), The XJTU First and Second Affiliated Hospitals, School of Public Policy and Administration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges.

Expert Consensus on Obesity Prevention and Treatment in China

Prof. Youfa Wang, OPCS-CNS President, Vice President of Xian Jiaotong University Health Science Center, University Distinguished Professor, and Dean of Global Health Institute, gathered 34 authoritative experts in various fields and formed the 'Expert Consensus on Obesity Prevention and Treatment in China' after extensive and in-depth discussions. The consensus was jointly released by the OPCS-CNS, the Clinical Nutrition Section of the CNS, the Behavioral Health Society and the Physical Exercise and Health Society of the CPMA. It was published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology and Chinese Preventive Medicine.

The consensus is a collective work of multiple disciplinary experts. It is the most comprehensive consensus on obesity in China so far, integrating the concepts and methodologies from public health and clinic medicine. The release and application of this consensus will advance multi-disciplinary collaboration on obesity, guide and promote future work of the prevention and control of obesity in China, and promote the participation of the whole society to help build a 'Healthy China'.