ICPO Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity
The EFPIA Obesity Platform and the Office of Health Economics launch their report
Elevated BMI costs Ireland an estimated 3.2bn annually.
Overweight and obesity linked to 278,000 deaths and the loss of 8 million years of healthy life in 8 European countries .
A new study across eight countries in Europe shows that elevated body mass index (BMI) is linked to major health and economic costs each year.
Upcoming Events
We’re pleased to share a selection of upcoming events hosted by fellow member organisations that may be of interest to the ICPO community. These independently organised events offer opportunities to learn, exchange ideas and connect with others across the sector. Please follow the links provided for full details and registration information.
Friday 9 October 2026 | Ashling Hotel, Dublin
Join the Association for the Study of Obesity on the island of Ireland (ASOI) for its 10th Annual Scientific Meeting, bringing together clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and people with lived experience to advance obesity research, policy, and care.
20 October 2026 – 22 October 2026 – Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s Annual Conference 2026
Looking at the big stories that frame our health landscape. Bringing together world-class clinicians, our programme will provide a new lens through which to view our health world. From sharing expertise and practical information on wellbeing and managing obesity in our public meeting to reflecting on the Georgian Dublin of past President, Dr Henry Quin, and bringing health leaders together at St Luke’s Symposium, where we will explore opportunities to shape the future of healthcare.
Friday 11 December – Designing Better Drug Delivery Together with Patients
How can we design medicines that work better for the people who use them? Join us to explore how drug delivery research and patient involvement can shape better medicines.
World Patient Safety Day calls for global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety.
World Patient Safety day brings together patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers, health care leaders and policy-makers to show their commitment to patient safety.
The resolution WHA 72.6 ‘Global action on patient safety’ recognizes patient safety as a global health priority and endorses the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be observed annually on 17 September.
Unregulated Medicines Sold Online Put Consumers at Serious Risk
The dangers posed by unregulated obesity management medications have been highlighted in a recent RTÉ News report, which revealed that the experimental medication is being sold unlawfully through websites and social media despite not being approved for human use.
Watch the recent RTÉ News article
Manufacturer Eli Lilly calls for online platforms, payment companies and regulators to shut down the illegal black market
Lilly is calling on others to join the fight for patient safety in this recently published press realise.
Tackling Obesity in Ireland: The Role of Evidence-Based Care.
Susie Birney was delighted to join Professor Donal O’Shea and @EliLillyandCompanyUKandIreland yesterday at the Oireachtas event hosted by Colm Burke TD
She highlighted the need to move beyond prevention and put our acknowledgement of obesity as a recurring, relapsing disease into action.
“Treating obesity will prevent onset of other non-communicable diseases.
Treatment is not a quick fix, it needs to be offered with full multi-disciplinary support. And more importantly, it needs to be accessible to those who need it”
Thank you to Colm Burke TD who made a strong commitment to following up during the Irish term leading the EU presidency, and to Eli Lilly And Company Uk and Ireland for hosting this event.
World Obesity Day Stigma Awareness Evening
Co-hosted by ICPO and ASOI
February 26th – 6.30-pm-10.00pm Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Weight stigma can be described as prejudiced, stereotyped, and discriminatory views and actions towards people with obesity, often fueled by inaccurate ideas about the causes of obesity. This can have an impact on medical decisions and patient outcomes.
We had an inspiring and educational evening with over 50 people hearing from researchers and stigma experts in the field of obesity, who directly shared the data and science which only can urge us all to address weight stigma when and where we see it.
The feedback the following day was that the patient testimonies and shared experiences was a highlight of the night.
SEE OUR VIDEO BELOW, more photos will follow!
We are grateful for the support of ECPO and World ObesityDayEU for this event.
#AddressingObesityTogether
#WorldObesityDay2026
#WOD2026
ICPO News
Goodbye Maura
After many years of dedicated service to ICPO, our secretary, Maura Murphy, is retiring. We sincerely thank Maura for her invaluable commitment and support over the years and wish her a long, happy and well-earned retirement.
Our farewell to Maura
Book Launch
World Obesity Day 2025 -Book launch Photos
ICPO launched the international childhood obesity book “Mum, what is obesity?” in English AND Gaeilge.
This can be found on Amazon for purchase.
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission
A new Approach to Obesity
ICPO chair of the board of directors Vicki Mooney was one of these 58 commissioners involved in drafting this new criteria.
Obesity Treatments
Understanding Obesity | Donal O'Shea | TEDxTralee
Professor Donal O’Shea tells us that the arrival of new obesity treatments has the potential to transform the attitude to obesity as a chronic disease for the good.
Understanding Obesity
HSE Health & Wellbeing
The HSE Best Health programme
The Best Health programme is a group programme for people with obesity.
Dr. Grace O’Malley and Bernadette Keenan
Childhood Obesity Interview
Understanding Childhood Obesity
Youths Living with Obesity
Living With
Obesity
Clinical Guidelines
Irish Clinical
Practice Guidelines
Who we are, and what we have done.
ICPO 2019-2023
“Irish Men & Obesity” Podcast Launch on World Obesity Day- Europe March 4th 2024
Irish Men & Obesity” Podcast Launch on World Obesity Day Europe March 4th
We are joined by five Irish men who live with the chronic relapsing disease of obesity who share their very personal lived experiences in the hope to encourage men to seek help earlier for their obesity. Also joining is Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity.
Irish patient organisation wins top European obesity award - November 2023
The Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO) has won a top European award for an initiative to raise awareness about obesity.
The award for the Best Public Engagement Programme in connection with World Obesity Day in Europe has been awarded to ICPO by the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO).
ICPO (https://icpobesity.org) is an organisation of people living with obesity who provide or direct education and support and raise awareness for people living with overweight or obesity across Ireland.
HSE Talking Health & Wellbeing Podcast -Oct 2023
Susie Birney, the lead for the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO) shares her personal experience of living with obesity, highlighting the difference between overweight and obesity. She also shares her personal experience of encountering weight bias within the healthcare system. Her experience reflects the damaging impact of internalized weight bias and how the language others use can reinforce this. Hosted by Eamon Keogh, we also discuss the importance of challenging stigma and misconceptions surrounding obesity. This includes the need for neutral and positive imagery in the media and the importance of healthcare professionals avoiding assumptions and biases when discussing obesity with patients.
Living With Obesity
We share information in the hope it will help, support and inspire people living with Obesity in Ireland. If you would like to volunteer, get in touch!
HOW TO PREPARE
Infographic Preparing for Medical Consultations
Information on How to Prepare for a Medical Consultation. Gather information about the HCP’s attitude; select your caregiver according to his/her reputation for respect towards people living with obesity if possible…
Living with Obesity
Infographic : Weight Stigma
Weight bias is defined as negative attitudes toward and beliefs about others because of their weight. Weight stigma refers to social stereotypes and misconceptions about people with obesity.
Stigma in Healthcare
Mental Health and Obesity
Enabling Participation
Stigma in Society
Image Bank
ICPO Image Bank
Not for commercial use
“The National Obesity Management Programme is delighted to see the launch of this image bank. We will only address the health of people living with obesity when we stop stigmatizing and judging the condition. A picture is a thousand words. I have done many positive interviews about obesity, the message of which has been completely overshadowed by the accompanying negative imagery. This initiative is a real step forward in shaping society to deal actively with obesity – which is now the commonest of the chronic diseases we face”
Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity – Oct ’21
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Support Meetings
ICPO
Support Meetings
We host online zoom meetings every week. Anyone who lives in Ireland and is affected by overweight, or obesity is welcome. Details are shared in the support groups each week, meetings are usually one hour. Anyone interested must register their email once with us, and we will send the new link, for each meeting.
