FOR RELEASE: October 7, 2025

Atlanta – Who decides what we eat, how we pay for care, and whether obesity is treated as a disease or a personal choice? At ObesityWeek® 2025, hosted by The Obesity Society (TOS) from November 4–7 in Atlanta, leading scientists, policymakers, and advocates will go head-to-head on the most divisive questions shaping obesity treatment and prevention in America.

Under the banner “Policy, Economics, and Societal Controversy,” this powerhouse track dives into the political, ethical, and financial forces driving how obesity is understood and misunderstood, across science, government, and the public sphere.

These sessions promise to give journalists rare access to candid debates, bold new data, and expert commentary on some of the most urgent issues at the intersection of health, economics, and culture.

Spotlight Sessions That Will Make Headlines

• The Science Behind Ultra-Processed Foods – Addiction, Health Effects, and Regulatory Efforts: Ultra-processed foods are everywhere but are they addictive? This session takes on the fierce scientific and political battle over labeling, regulation, and responsibility for food environments that drive obesity.
• Should SNAP Benefits Be Restricted to Healthy Foods and Beverage?: A must-watch policy showdown as public health experts and economists square off over whether taxpayer-funded benefits should limit unhealthy purchases. The outcome could reshape one of the nation’s most influential food programs.
• Transforming Obesity Disease Management – A Call for Systematic Change from a Multi-Stakeholder Consortium: Can healthcare finally move beyond treating symptoms to address obesity as a chronic, complex disease? This session unveils a roadmap for reform across payers, providers, and policymakers.
• Obesity as a Chronic Disease: The defining conversation of the conference—why recognizing obesity as a chronic disease is the key to unlocking equitable coverage, reducing stigma, and transforming public health policy.

Why It Matters for Media

From rising drug costs and government regulation to food policy and stigma, the controversies discussed at ObesityWeek® 2025 are shaping tomorrow’s headlines. These sessions offer journalists a front-row seat to expert insight, informed debate, and policy ideas that could redefine how America approaches obesity.

Exclusive Media Access

Credentialed journalists receive complimentary registration and:

• Access to a dedicated press room with daily briefings and interview opportunities.
• Invitation to a private media breakfast with TOS leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Exclusive interview opportunities with the nation’s top scientists, policymakers, and clinicians.
• Amplified reach, with TOS spotlighting published coverage across its platforms.

How to Register

Credentialed media can apply for media credentials by completing this form.

About ObesityWeek®

ObesityWeek® is the world’s leading conference for obesity professionals, bringing together scientists, clinicians, policymakers and advocates to advance research, treatment and prevention. Organized by The Obesity Society (TOS), ObesityWeek® combines scientific excellence with practical tools to transform obesity care.