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In an opening address at the congress, organised by the Algerian Society of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, Saihi said obesity had become a "disease in its own right," stressing the need to treat it with "practical measures through a national nutrition plan" and "raising awareness of the risks of obesity and its harmful effects on human health."

Noting that obesity was the cause of many diseases, including cancer, the minister said "the national nutrition plan will be developed by a group of experts."

With respect to the scientific meeting, the minister said it would wrapped up with a roadmap on the fight against obesity, especially "the proposal of a national strategy for nutrition."

The specialists taking part in the three-day congress will tackle several topics, including "Obesity and related diseases," "Obesity and cardiovascular diseases," "Obesity and cancer," "Current therapeutic treatments for obesity," "Obesity, food and sports activity" and "Obesity surgery and its effects on associated metabolic diseases."

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