Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO)

Persatuan Kajian Obesiti Malaysia or Malaysian Society for the Study of Obesity (MASSO) was registered (Bil:PPM 1102/93) with the Registrar of Society on 15 February 1994 and was officially launched by YB Datuk Napsiah Omar Minister of National Unity and Social Development on 17 July 1994 at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur. The Founding President for MASSO (1994-1995) was Dato’ Dr. Ismail Merican, Deputy Director General of Health Malaysia. At the 3rd AGM in 1996, Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Noor, was elected President MASSO and its Secretariat moved from Servier Ltd (Malaysia), to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. In 1998, MASSO changed its name to “Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO)” in line with its international affiliate the International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) now known as World Obesity Federation.

The objectives of MASO are:
• To stimulate and facilitate obesity research on its impact, causes, prevention and management.
• To promote improved understanding on obesity among professionals and public.
• To collaborate with the government agencies, other professional organisations, private sectors and international bodies to improve local environment to support healthy lifestyle.
• To lead and drive national effort to reduce, prevent and manage obesity through involvement in policy development.