Advancing research and collaboration on childhood obesity
Members of the PAS GRAS consortium participated in the 35th European Childhood Obesity Group (ECOG) Congress, held in Salzburg, Austria, from 16 to 18 September 2026, contributing to scientific discussions spanning obesity mechanisms, life-course determinants, prevention and care.
The congress brought together researchers, healthcare professionals and experts working in childhood and adolescent obesity, providing an important platform to exchange knowledge, present new research and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and countries.
From maternal obesity to brain metabolism
Andreia Amaro, PAS GRAS PhD student, presented the research “Prefrontal cortex neurometabolic sensitivity to leptin is disrupted by maternal obesity in a sex-dependent manner”.
The work explores how maternal obesity may influence neurometabolic responses in the offspring, contributing to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms through which obesity-related risk can develop across generations.
Andreia's presentation was recognised with the 3rd Prize in the first edition of the ECOG Young Investigator Awards, an important acknowledgement of the work being developed by an early-career researcher within the PAS GRAS consortium.
Understanding obesity across the life course
Anabela Marisa Azul, PAS GRAS Project Co-Coordinator, presented the project during the plenary session dedicated to EU-funded OBEClust projects on childhood obesity prevention. Her contribution highlighted how PAS GRAS is working alongside other European research initiatives to advance knowledge on obesity and support the development of more effective prevention strategies.
She also presented another branch of PAS GRAS research, “Understanding obesity across the life course: the PAS GRAS age-adapted survey”. This work reflects the project's life-course approach, exploring obesity-related determinants across different age groups and supporting a more comprehensive understanding of how risk factors and behaviours evolve throughout life.
Bringing different perspectives on obesity care
Susann Weihrauch-Blüher, from PAS GRAS partner institution Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Germany, was a member of the ECOG 2026 Local Organising Committee and contributed to the session “Possibilities and limitations of obesity training and pharmacotherapy”.
Together with Harald Geiger, from Austria, she discussed “Care structures for obesity treatment in Austria and Germany”, bringing together perspectives from both countries and contributing to the wider discussion on how obesity care can be organised and delivered within different healthcare contexts.
Connecting research, prevention and care
From investigating the biological mechanisms underlying obesity to understanding its determinants across the life course and discussing the organisation of obesity care, the PAS GRAS contributions at ECOG 2026 reflect the multidisciplinary and collaborative approach at the core of the project.
Participation in international scientific meetings such as ECOG provides an important opportunity to disseminate PAS GRAS research, exchange knowledge with the wider scientific and clinical community and strengthen connections with other European initiatives working towards a common goal: improving obesity prevention and care and supporting healthier futures across Europe.
PAS GRAS congratulates Andreia Amaro on receiving the 3rd Prize in the ECOG Young Investigator Awards and all team members who contributed to the project's presence at ECOG 2026.