Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity (HKASO)
To raise public awareness about obesity and metabolic health
To promulgate evidence-based health informations related to obesity
To advocate obesity as a health problem of high priority in our community
About Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity (HKASO)
The Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity (HKASO) was established in 2003 by a group of healthcare professionals including endocrinologists, surgeons, family physicians, dietitians and physical education specialists, etc, dedicated to raise public awareness about obesity and metabolic health. The Association is also a full member of the World Obesity Federation (WOF) and the Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity (AOASO). The Association has the mandate to promulgate evidence-based health information related to obesity and to advocate obesity as a health problem of high priority in our community.
Obesity is a global epidemic and the prevalence is rapidly increasing in Asia. In Hong Kong, about 30% of the general adult population are obese, and in addition, around 20% are overweight (Hong Kong Population Health Survey 2020-2022). Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease and cancer. The costs of managing obesity and its downstream complications are enormous and pose a serious financial burden to our society.
The Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity (HKASO) held a press conference on Jan 8, 2026 to release the results of our latest telephone survey of over 1000 HK residents which compared those of the same survey conducted in 2018. HKASO also reminded the public to be wary of online scams impersonating HKASO to sell weight-loss products and parallel import drugs, which could lead to harmful effects instead of weight loss. Although the development of GLP-1 drugs in recent years has been revolutionary for weight management, HKASO alerted that all prescription weight-loss drugs must be used under medical supervision and patients should be aware of common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. Details...
Mission Statements
The missions of the Association are:
To focus attention and stimulate the study of obesity in Hong Kong including its causes, manifestations and prevention.
To provide an independent body of healthcare professionals involved in both basic and applied research into the subject.
To encourage research into all facets and prevention of obesity.
To provide a better understanding of obesity to healthcare professionals and to general public.
To maintain affiliation with international professional bodies to ensure the best possible exchange of information about the study of the epidemiological, metabolic, nutritional, pharmacological, surgical, behavioural and educational aspects of obesity and its treatment.
Council
HKASO Council Members 2025 - 2027
Prof. Andrea OY LukPresident
Dr. Francis CC ChowVice President
Dr. Lorena TF CheungHonorary Secretary Website and Social Media
Dr. Gary TC KoHonorary Treasurer Research and Travel Grant Committee
Dr. Kitty KT CheungCouncil Member
Dr Edith WK ChowCouncil Member
Prof. Stanley SC HuiCouncil Member
Dr. Ka Fai LeeCouncil Member Research and Travel Grant Committee
Dr. June KY LiCouncil Member
Dr. Matthew KW LoCouncil Member
Dr. Vincent TF YeungCouncil Member
Dr. Cheuk Lik WongCouncil Member Newsletter Editor
Special Notice: Please be aware that there have been fake Facebook and Instagram pages pretending to be our Association's online platform. We hereby clarify that the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity (HKASO), as a charitable professional organisation under Section 88 of Inland Revenue Ordinance, has never endorsed any medical products or health supplements. Please kindly inform us if you encounter similar posts or promotions in the future.