[What's new in the domain of obesity?]

We will briefly comment on some interesting topics presented at the 10th European Congress on Obesity (ECO, Antwerp, Belgium, 24-27 May 2000). Special attention has been focused upon: 1) the multi-endocrine function of the adipocyte cell; 2) the role of gene-environment interactions; 3) the regulatory mechanisms of energy balance; 4) the neuroendocrine hypothesis for the development of visceral adiposity; 5) the numerous complications associated with obesity, more particularly type 2 diabetes; and, finally, 6) obesity prevention, especially in childhood, and new pharmacological perspectives for the treatment of obesity.