Barcelona, next seat of the 5th European Congress on obesity surgery and metabolic and the 1st Iberian Congress of Bariatric Surgery, takes the initiative in the fight against obesity.

The different congresses meet at a number of specialists in the treatment of obesity and in particular in the field of Bariatric Surgery, a branch of surgery designed to make, through different types of operations, changes in the digestive system that generated a loss of weight based on the gastric capacity reduction, in the reduction of the capacity of absorption of ingested nutrients or a combination of both.

Obesity is a serious health problem and greatly affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Currently it is estimated one 2 person today are overweight or obese is almost half of the OECD countries, being Spain one of the countries which has a higher percentage of obese population with rates of 16% for adult women and 19% in the case of adult population male (1).

According to the Dr. Joan Pujol – medical specialist in General Surgery and digestive and President of the V Congress European of the obesity surgery and the 1st Congress of Bariatric Surgery Iberian and metabolic – constant advances in techniques and more sophisticated surgical materials have made possible that increasingly are made interventions with a greater precision, reduced risks and better results. For many people with overweight, bariatric surgery is the only solution to combat obesity ”.

Spain, where are calculated that they are between 6,000-7,000 interventions of Bariatric Surgery, is situated at the head of the countries of Europe with the highest number of surgeries performed.

This fact – added the Dr. Joan Pujol – joined the prestigious reputation of Spanish medical experts in the field of Bariatric Surgery, has led, among other criteria, that Barcelona was chosen by the IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) to host the European Congress of obesity surgery and metabolic ”.

According to the Chairman of the Committee organizing of the V Congress IFSO-EC, Dr. Joan Pujol, “For the first time in a single Congress Portuguese society and join Spanish society sharing objectives and also coinciding with the celebration of the 5th Congress of the European chapter of the Federation International of obesity surgery and metabolic (IFSO-EC).” That is why we are sure that this Congress will be a unique meeting point to share and exchange experiences among all professionals and experts in the treatment of obesity at the national level and European. ”

La IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity) is the entity responsible for promoting internationally different meetings between specialists in the field of Bariatric Surgery in order to reinforce development and research on existing in this type of surgery techniques.

The objective of this entity is the fight against chronic disease has become one of the biggest problems today and that in the majority of cases is trigger for other diseases.

About IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders): the International Federation of obesity surgery and metabolic disorders (IFSO) is a Federation composed of national associations of different countries bariatric surgeons.Currently, there are 40 associations such as official members of the IFSO. There are also members from countries that until now have not formed a National Association.

IFSO has been and is primarily a scientific organisation, which brings together surgeons and other health professionals, such as nurses, dietitians, nutritionists, psychologists, internists and Anaesthesiologists, involved in the treatment of patients with obesity morbid.

about SECO (Spanish society of obesity surgery): Scientific society founded in 1997 by Spanish surgeons, dedicated especially to the treatment of patients with clinically severe obesity and related diseases. Society is non-profit, has its own legal personality and the territorial scope of its objectives Spain.

About SPCO (Sociedade Portuguesa of Cirurgia da Obesidade e Doenças metabolic): founded in October 2000 by surgeons and endocrinologists Portuguese, the SPCO organizes educational programs for surgeons and other healthcare professionals that deal with obesity and related illnesses in the area of Portugal.

about the SRA: founded in 1935the Spanish Association of Surgeons (ACS) main goal is promoting the training, development and further training of surgeons, trying to high-quality care to patients and encouraging teaching and research. To date, the AEC represents around 70% of the surgeons of Spain, a fact which gives special visibility in all forums of the specialty.

Referencia:

(1) According to the study of Obesity and the Economics of Prevention of OECD Health Division.