Canadian Obesity Network

The Canadian Obesity Network-Réseau Canadien en Obésité (CON-RCO) is a nonprofit organization representing Canada's authoritative voice on evidence-based approaches for obesity prevention, treatment and policy. Its mission is to improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity through the advancement of anti-discrimination, prevention, and treatment efforts. Strategic goals of CON-RCO include addressing the social stigma associated with obesity; changing the way policy makers and health professionals approach obesity; and improving access to evidence-based prevention and treatment resources.

Membership is divided between professional and public members. Professional members, representing researchers, health professionals, policy makers, and other obesity stakeholders currently make up the majority of the 13,000 members.

The Canadian Obesity Network was founded in March 2006 by Dr. Arya M. Sharma, MD/PhD at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, with funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada. In August 2007, CON-RCO relocated its office to Edmonton, Alberta, where it is co-hosted by Alberta Health Services and the University of Alberta , where they are currently located today.

In 2009, the Canadian Obesity Network hosted the inaugural National Obesity Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Subsequent biennial Obesity Summits have been held in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Membership is available to professionals and members of the public. As of July 2016, professional membership stands at 12,414, and public membership at 1,135. Committees include the Board of Directors, the Science Committee, and the Public Engagement Committee.

The Public Engagement Committee is made up entirely of public members of CON-RCO. Its primary objective is to be the voice of individuals affected by obesity within CON-RCO, and to elevate the conversation of obesity and its impact on health in the community. The Committee strives to build a community of those who have been affected by obesity through active participation in outreach activities.

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