Official Launch of a European Obesity Day Online Survey (http://www.obesityday.eu)

BRUSSELS, May 14 /PRNewswire/ --     On the 16th May Member of European Parliament Magor Imre Csibi
(Romanian MEP of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats), the UK National
Obesity Forum (NOF) and the Belgian Obese Patients organisation (BOLD) will
launch the "European Obesity Day" online survey. With excess weight and
obesity increasing across Europe at an alarming rate, the online survey seeks
to understand to what degree this is of concern to European citizens and what
steps we think should be taken to address this pressing issue.

The overarching aim of the survey is to encourage formal
recognition of the plight of the overweight and obese by European
decision-makers through the creation of an official European Obesity Day. The
launch marks a one year countdown to the first official European Obesity Day,
which will take place on the 16th of May 2010. Against this backdrop, MEP
Magor Csibi pronounced:

"The fight against obesity is a European public health
priority and it is important to encourage obese and overweight patients from
across Europe to come forward and express their views. To this end, we have
launched an online survey at http://www.obesityday.eu to better understand
how to address these individuals' needs and concerns."

Until now, the emphasis of EU and national governments has
focused on diets and physical activity. However, much can still be done and
to this end, Dr David Haslam from NOF commented:

"There is a real need for a reinforced dialogue between
patients and healthcare professionals combined with recognition of obesity as
a genuine disease like all others."

Jean Paul Allonsius, President of BOLD added: "Equally crucial
is the need to bring coherence and clarity to the weight loss products market
with an emphasis on ensuring the efficacy of these products."

Although many understand the challenges as well as the
solutions such as healthy diets, physical activity and treatment, European
citizens' views have yet to be established. With a view to the launch of
European Obesity Day and drawing on the professional insight of the medical
and patient communities and other concerned members of civil society, a short
five question online survey was developed. The questionnaire is topped off by
an open-ended comment box that allows participants to express their personal
views and stories.

In conclusion MEP Magor Csibi, said: "It is imperative to
raise awareness of the importance of healthy food and sport, however the time
has come to also recognise and respond to the voice of Europe's growing obese
and overweight population by the establishment of a European Obesity Day."

Media contacts
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