On This Page
Born from a Global Need
The International Society of Obesity was conceived in 2024, in response to a gap that both had observed throughout their careers: despite the obesity epidemic reaching crisis proportions across every region of the world, the global obesity medicine community lacked a single, truly international scientific society capable of speaking with one unified, independent voice.
Existing obesity societies, while valuable, were predominantly regional — anchored in Europe or North America — and often did not adequately represent the perspectives, clinical realities, and resource constraints of clinicians working in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where the epidemic is now growing fastest.
Equally important was the disciplinary gap. Obesity sits at the intersection of endocrinology, bariatric surgery, nutrition, psychology, public health, and primary care. No single specialty can own it. ISO was built from the ground up to be multi-disciplinary — welcoming every clinician and researcher who touches the lives of patients living with obesity, regardless of their specialty label.
ISO was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in Montana, USA, providing a robust legal foundation with transparent, democratic governance. Its founding is backed by IJCP Group's network of 500,000+ verified physicians across South and Southeast Asia, and by interpersonal relationships with leading obesity medicine professionals on every continent.
ISO's Journey
Q1–Q2
The Idea Takes Shape
Dr. Sanjay Kalra and Nilesh Aggarwal begin formal discussions about creating a new global scientific society for obesity medicine. An extensive landscape review of existing societies confirms the gap that ISO would fill.
Q3
Montana Incorporation
The International Society of Obesity is formally incorporated as a nonprofit entity in the State of Montana, USA. The Articles of Incorporation and founding Bylaws are drafted and filed.
Q4
Governance Structure Established
The founding governance framework is finalised — including the Executive Board, Scientific Advisory Council, International Board, and Standing Committees. The founding co-presidents and Secretary General are confirmed.
Q1
Founding SAC Recruitment Begins
Outreach begins to internationally recognised clinicians and researchers across obesity medicine, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, and public health to join ISO's founding Scientific Advisory Council.
Q2–Q3
Website, CME Platform & Membership System Launch
ISO's website, membership portal, and initial CME e-learning infrastructure are built and launched. Founding membership opens globally, offered on a complimentary basis for the first year.
Now
ISO Formally Launches
The International Society of Obesity formally opens its doors to global membership. The founding Scientific Advisory Council is constituted and ISO's inaugural CME program, webinar series, and position statement pipeline are activated.
Q4
ISO World Congress 2026
ISO's inaugural World Congress, bringing together obesity medicine professionals from across the globe for scientific exchange, clinical education, and community building.
What ISO Stands For
The ISO Charter articulates the founding principles and commitments that define how ISO operates and what it stands for. It was drafted by the founding co-presidents and ratified by the founding Executive Board in 2026.
The Charter is a living document — subject to review and amendment by the General Assembly — but its core principles are considered foundational to ISO's identity and will require a supermajority vote to alter.
ISO was founded on a simple but powerful idea: that every person living with obesity deserves access to compassionate, evidence-based care, and that every clinician treating obesity deserves access to the best science and education in the world — regardless of where they live or work.
Obesity Is a Disease
ISO recognises and upholds the classification of obesity as a complex, chronic, relapsing, and treatable disease. Stigmatising language has no place in ISO communications or clinical education.
Science Must Be Independent
ISO's scientific positions are determined solely by evidence. No commercial relationship shall compromise the integrity of ISO's clinical guidelines, position statements, or educational content.
Global Means Truly Global
ISO is committed to equitable representation from all world regions in its governance, scientific program, and educational content — with deliberate emphasis on LMICs where the burden is rising fastest.
Education Should Have No Borders
ISO shall always offer accessible, high-quality educational resources to clinicians regardless of their geographic location, institutional affiliation, or ability to pay premium membership fees.
Members Are the Society
ISO's governance shall always remain democratic and member-led. The General Assembly is the supreme authority, and the leadership serves the membership — not the other way around.