2024 in review: Deutsche Adipositas Gesellschaft (DAG)
Leading the way in Germany on obesity advocacy and for better treatment of patients with obesity.
Here are some of the 2024 highlights of the German Obesity Society (Deutsche Adipositas-Gesellschaft (DAG)):
40th Anniversary & Annual Congress
The DAG celebrates in 2024 its 40th anniversary and was organising for the 40th time the annual DAG congress. It aims to create a bridge between scientific evidence and its implementation in everyday practice. With over 500 participants, 23 exhibitors and a diverse congress program with 35 lectures, symposia and workshops, this year's edition of the German Obesity Congress set new standards. Experts gathered in Cologne to discuss current research questions and results as well as new therapy approaches, the current care situation and the development of effective prevention measures. In 2025 the congress will take place in Stuttgart, 8 - 10 October.
Photo: © Jan Philipp Behr
DAG Youth Group & Young Scientist Academy
This year has seen the launch of the DAG Youth Group, bringing together in an interdisciplinary approach the next generation of obesity researchers and practitioners. After the group was set up within the DAG on the initiative of the Executive Board, it met for the first time in person at the DAG Congress. At the beginning of December, the DAG hosted also its first ever Young Scientist Academy to bring together young and talented medical scientists in the field of obesity. The Winterschool under the title 'Metabolism & Genetics: Understanding Obesity Better', included various presentations which shed light on the topic, but also offered time to present own research projects and for personal exchange. Another Masterclass will follow in the first half of 2025.
Disease Management Program for Obesity patients
A disease management program (DMP) for adults with obesity has been launched in Germany mid-2024, with another one for children and adolescents to follow. Now the associations of statutory health insurance physicians need to work with local health insurance funds to settle further details, including remuneration. Once completed, the new DMP will finally be available to patients. The aim of the new DMP is to improve the care of people with obesity and thus positively influence the course of this chronic disease through structured, guideline-based treatment. The DAG has argued a lot for this major step and has been heavily involved in the process to launch the program.
Updated Guideline on prevention and treatment of obesity
After several years of intensive literature research and evaluation of studies from the last 10 years, the German S3 guideline on the 'Prevention and treatment of obesity' has been updated. The DAG acted as the lead specialist society in this process.
According to the updated guideline, the basis of any obesity treatment continues to be a multimodal basic therapy, which includes the components of dietary changes, increased exercise and behavioural modification. What is new is that there are significantly more options for proven effective nutritional therapies and that the treatment should take greater account of the living conditions of people with obesity, including their personal resources and wishes. If this treatment is not sufficient or if greater weight loss is medically advisable, supportive treatment with weight-loss medication can be used. In cases of severe obesity, the options of bariatric surgery should also be considered, which have long been proven highly effective. In addition, the possibilities for new eHealth approaches, including digital health applications via apps, are also highlighted. Finally, a new chapter of the guideline deals with the stigmatisation of people with obesity.