Arne Astrup is stepping down as president of global association of obesity researchers - 03.06.2009

Professor Arne Astrup is stepping down as president of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, IASO, to focus on new large research projects at LIFE – Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen. At the same time, he receives international communication award for his outstanding communication skills within the areas of nutrition and obesity research.

 

After serving as president of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, IASO, for three years, Arne Astrup, professor MD, is stepping down one year early due to an appointment as director of a new centre focussing on research to promote the well-being, development and health of Danish children through a New Nordic Diet (the OPUS project) which is based at LIFE- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

 

The new appointment comes on top of an increasing and demanding workload as head of department of Human Nutrition at LIFE- Faculty of Life Sciences. This is the result of his department having been very successful in attracting increasing funding which has led to a near doubling of the number of staff at the department to 150 people in just four years.

 

Arne Astrup’s success in transforming IASO into a professionally led organisation has resulted in a rapid growth in its international activities and in the workload of the president. Arne Astrup has, therefore, decided to step down as the president of IASO one year early.

 

A substantial contribution to international obesity research

The IASO Executive committee is very grateful to Arne Astrup for his hard work and dedication to the Association over many years.

- Arne Astrup has contributed substantially to the strategy and direction of IASO which has allowed the Association to develop and achieve its goals. Significantly, Arne Astrup has been responsible for the launching of one of the most successful new obesity journals, Obesity Reviews. In 2008 Obesity Reviews received its first impact factor assessment and with a score of 7.8 it is now the obesity journal with the highest impact. This is a very significant achievement and reflects the commitment Arne has made to IASO, says Executive Director of IASO, Dr. Caroline Small.

 

Furthermore, Arne Astrup has initiated many new ventures within IASO, including the Obesity Expert Forum and the Nutritional Discussion Forum. These have enabled IASO to provide an interactive forum to exchange ideas and knowledge with the pharmaceutical and nutritional industry sectors.

 

Professor Astrup will be succeeded by Professor Philip James as president of IASO. He will, however, remain as IASO Chairman from August 2009 until August 2010 and will chair the Obesity Expert Forum as well as continue to act as Editor in Chief of Obesity Reviews which continues to go from strength to strength. Moreover, Arne Astrup will be retained as a key scientific advised for the IASO International Think tanks on obesity policy, treatment and guidelines.

 

International communication award
The International Association of Business Communicators, IABC’s Europe and Middle East Section has decided to award Professor Arne Astrup ”The 2009 EME Excel Merit Award for Communication Leadership” in recognition of his excellent communication skills as an obesity researcher. Arne Astrup receives the award in his capacity of president of IASO, as editor in chief of Obesity Reviews and for his work as a researcher and head of Department of Human Nutrition at LIFE- Faculty of Life Sciences. In all three capacities he has used his excellent communication skills to improve global health by fighting obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles. He thereby embodies LIFE’s ambitions to conduct world-class research and to communicate research results to the general public.

 

Further information about the International Association for the Study of Obesity, IASO, can be found at www.iaso.org

 

Read more about the OPUS research project at www.foodoflife.dk/Opus/English.aspx

 

Professor Arne Astrup, Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, can be contacted by  mail or by phone +45 35332476, mobile +45 2143 3302.