Strategies for preventing and treating obesity
More and more people are developing metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes as a result of modern lifestyles. These disorders are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and are now considered “common illnesses”.
Last edited: 22. January 2026
According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Metabolic disorders are continually on the rise and have far-reaching effects on many areas of society. Despite numerous prevention efforts already being made, the frequency of such disorders is not decreasing, bringing into question the efficacy of these efforts.
The objective of the Leopoldina Working Group is therefore to identify measures and to develop recommendations and options for action which address an effective prevention policy and incorporate new treatment approaches for metabolic disorders.
Spokespersons for the working group
Professor Dr
Alexander Pfeifer ▸
- Physiology and Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Election year 2016
Professor Dr
Christian Wolfrum ▸
- Physiology and Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Election year 2023
Further members of the working group
- Prof. Dr Eva Barlösius, Institute of Sociology, Leibniz Universität Hannover
- Prof. Dr Annette G. Beck-Sickinger ML, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig
- Prof Dr Matthias Blüher, Clinic and Polyclinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology, Leipzig University Hospital
- Prof Dr Jens C. Brüning ML, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research
- Prof. Dr Antje Körner, Clinic and Polyclinic for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Leipzig University Hospital AöR
- Prof Dr Claudia Langenberg, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin Institute for Health Research at the Charité
- Prof Dr Michael Laxy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich
- Prof Dr Oliver Mann, Clinic and Polyclinic for General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf / UKE
- Prof. Dr Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich
- Prof Dr Iris Pigeot, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS GmbH
- Prof Dr Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer ML, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
- Prof Dr Michael Roden ML, Clinic for Endocrinology and Diabetology, Düsseldorf University Hospital
- Prof. Dr Matthias H. Tschöp ML, German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Helmholtz Zentrum München
ML = Member of the Leopoldina
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Kontakt Dr. Stefanie Bohley
Scientific Officer, Department Science - Policy - Society
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Kontakt Dr Johannes Schmoldt
Senior Officer, Department International Relations