ECO 2026: New Insights into the Complications of Excess Weight services for Children and Young People
Our researchers from ENHANCE are in Istanbul this week presenting at the 33rd European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026), sharing new findings on the care and treatment of children and young people living with severe obesity in England.
Across four studies, we highlight both the complexity of the population accessing NHS Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) services and the impact of these specialist clinics:
Our national analyses show that CEW services are reaching young people with high levels of medical, neurodevelopmental and psychosocial need, alongside marked socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities. [read the abstract here]
We also present longitudinal evidence demonstrating that attending CEW clinics is associated with improved weight trajectories and better health-related quality of life over time. [read the abstract here]
Complementing this, our real-world study across 39 clinics shows that semaglutide, delivered within a multidisciplinary model of care, is associated with substantial reductions in body weight. [read the abstract here]
Finally, our patient experience work highlights the importance of ongoing, wrap-around support, with many children, young people and families accessing clinics valuing the holistic care provided, highlighting the need for continued support and longer-term care pathways in obesity care. [read the abstract here]
Together, our work underscores the importance of sustained, equitable and person-centred approaches to tackling severe childhood obesity.