About ASO
Founded in 1967, the ASO has become the UK’s foremost charitable organisation dedicated to the understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity. We aim to develop an understanding of obesity through the pursuit of excellence in research and education, the facilitation of contact between individuals and organisations, and the promotion of action to prevent and treat obesity.
Featured events
UK Congress on Obesity (UKCO) 2025
The main event in the calendar for the UK Association for the Study of Obesity is taking place in the city of Aberdeen and is being hosted by P&J Live, and the local organising committee will be co-led by Professor Alex Johnstone and Dr Kevin Deans.
Where and when
Wednesday, 10th September 2025 – Thursday, 11th September 2025.
P&J Live East Burn Road, Stoneywood, ABERDEEN, AB21 9FX
ECR Event – save the date
Ahead of UKCO 2025, the ASO will again be hosting an event for early career researchers (ECRs).
Where and when
Tuesday 9th September 2025, 11am-7pm, The Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen
Upcoming events
Save the Date – ECR Event
Event date - September 9, 2025
Event time - 11:00 am
Ahead of UKCO 2025, the ASO will again be hosting an event for early career researchers (ECRs). When and where? Tuesday 9th September 2025, 11am-5pm, The Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen – The social part (from 5pm ... Read more
7th ASO Centres for Obesity Management (COMs) Meeting
Event date - September 9, 2025
Event time - 9:15 am
Do you work in an obesity service or are you trying to set one up in primary or secondary care? Are you a Health Care Professional attending the UK Congress on Obesity (UKCO) 2025? This event is for you! Date: Tuesday, 9th ... Read more
UK Congress on Obesity (UKCO) 2025
Event date - September 10, 2025
Event time - 9:00 am
Open for Registration The main event in the calendar for the UK Association for the Study of Obesity is taking place in the city of Aberdeen and is being hosted by P&J Live, and the local organising committee will be co-led by ... Read more
Latest news
Mounjaro price increase for private patients
The Association for the Study of Obesity notes with concern the announcement by Eli Lilly that the list price of privately purchased Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the UK will increase by up to 170% for some doses. While this change does ... Read more
ASO Proud to Support NICE Quality Standard on Overweight and Obesity Management
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published the updated Quality Standard (QS212) on Overweight and Obesity Management. ASO is proud to have contributed to its development and is now an official ... Read more
Tackling Childhood Obesity in the North: New APPG Report Launched
ASO is proud to have contributed to the newly published Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) report at the House of Commons. ASO’s Prof Maria Bryant (Trustee), Prof Nicola Heslehurst (President), Dr Kath Roberts, ... Read more
Government Publishes 10-Year Health Plan for England
Today, the UK Government released its Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England. The plan sets out a range of measures aimed at tackling health challenges, including obesity. The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) ... Read more
New Targets to Improve the Healthiness of Foods
The UK Government has announced that major food retailers, including supermarkets and manufacturers, will be required to report on and meet targets for the healthiness of the food they sell. This policy represents a significant and ... Read more
Majority of Children in Some Areas Could Be Living with Overweight or Obesity by 2035
New analysis by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) suggests that obesity rates among children will rise in 90% of local authority areas in England over the next decade. Currently, 36% of Year 6 pupils in England are living ... Read more
NHS Begins Prescribing Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in England
Today, NHS GPs in England begin prescribing Mounjaro (tirzepatide) under a phased rollout, aiming to reach 220,000 people with severe obesity and multiple comorbidities over the next three years. This is an important development, but ... Read more
Over 500,000 More Children in England to Receive Free School Meals
The expansion of free school meals to over 500,000 more children in England is a welcome step toward reducing food insecurity and tackling health inequalities. Access to nutritious school meals is a critical factor in supporting ... Read more
ASO Urges Government to Prioritise Obesity in the 10-Year NHS Plan
With the 10-Year NHS Plan expected soon, the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, outlining six priority actions for embedding ... Read more
Government Delays Junk Food Advertising Restrictions
The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) is concerned by the Government’s decision to delay long-planned restrictions on advertising foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) to children. Evidence shows that exposure to junk ... Read more
Introducing Our New Trustee Role Appointments
We’re delighted to share some exciting updates to the ASO Board of Trustees, confirmed at our AGM in March 2025. Mary O’Kane has been appointed Chair, Aileen McGloin takes on the role of Deputy Chair, and Dr Sandra Isibor steps into ... Read more
House of Commons Library Publishes Briefing on Weight Loss Medications
A new House of Commons Library briefing on weight loss medications draws heavily on the Obesity Health Alliance’s Treatment Position Statement and Evidence Review, developed with input from several ASO committee members alongside ... Read more
Welcoming Our New Clinical Practice and Obesity Management (COMs) Sub-Committee Members
We are delighted to welcome the newest members of ASO’s Clinical Practice and Obesity Management (COMs) Sub-Committee: Dr Julie Sittlington: Operations Secretary Dr Ehtasham Ahmad: Adult COMs Dr Sally ... Read more
ASO Engages with Parliamentarians on Obesity Prevention and Treatment
Last week, the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) met with parliamentarians to discuss obesity prevention, treatment, and the importance of health policies that prioritise well-being. We would like to thank the Obesity Health ... Read more
ASO Welcomes Updated NICE Guideline on Maternal and Child Nutrition
The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) welcomes the newly published NICE guideline: Maternal and Child Nutrition (NG247). This guidance provides a full update to Maternal and Child Nutrition (PH11) and a partial update to ... Read more
Share Your Views on Weight Stigma in Hospitals
The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) invites you to take part in an important online survey to help refine an obesity checklist for hospital settings. This checklist is designed to assist hospitals in reviewing their ... Read more
ASO Welcomes Lords Report on Ultra Processed Foods and Fixing Our Broken Food System
ASO welcomes the findings of the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity inquiry into the influence of ‘Ultra Processed foods’ and those high in fat, sugar, and salt on health outcomes. The publication comes after the committee ... Read more
ASO ONE-DAY MDT CLINICAL MEETING
When: Thursday, 16th January 2025, 9:00am - 6:00pm Where: Crowne Plaza Nottingham,NG1 5RH The ASO One Day MDT Clinical Meeting registration is now open, deadline for registration is 2nd ... Read more
ASO East of England Networking Event
The Association or the Study of Obesity (ASO) East of England Network is organizing a networking event, “Innovations in Obesity Prevention and Management: From Evidence to Action on Thursday 30 January 2025 from 13:00-18:00 GMT Join ... Read more
Addressing Stigma and Promoting Comprehensive Obesity Care
The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) is calling for greater awareness of the harmful effects of stigma in public discussions about obesity, alongside a commitment to comprehensive, evidence-based care. Stigmatising language ... Read more
North East Obesity Forum Webinar
When: Tuesday, 12th November 2024, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Where: Online North East Obesity Forum Webinar Welcome to our online event, the North East Obesity Forum ... Read more
ASO South West Network Event
The South West ASO Network Regional meeting – Clinical and research updates in Weight Management. This is a whole day event, with the morning dedicated to relevant clinical and research updates related to weight management. The ... Read more
Welcome to Our New Communications Team Members
We are pleased to welcome Sadia Ali as ASO’s new Communications Lead, and Hao Tang, Rob Oxley, and Dr Zainab Akhter as Communications Interns. The new communications team will form part of ASO’s Communications, Partnerships and ... Read more
ASO COMs
The ASO has established a network of Centres for Obesity Management (Adult COMs) aimed at strengthening and advancing the evidence base, improving practice and influencing policy for the management of obesity in adults within the UK.
Volunteer Opportunities
Membership is open to obesity researchers, healthcare professionals, clinicians, academics, scientists, and students who are working and/or studying in the field of obesity and to others who have a particular interest in this area.
Student membership with ASO is only £30 annually and there are so many benefits. There has never been a better time to join!
ASO Networks
In addition to UKCO, we have ASO network meetings across the UK in order to meet the ASO mission and objectives.
Meetings are hare organised locally with support from the ASO Networks Lead.
