Obesity has become a problem of alarming public health dimensions. According to projections from the World Obesity Federation, by the year 2025 it is expected that 1.9 billion people worldwide will suffer from obesity, reflecting a growing trend that has been evident over the past decade. This condition not only represents an individual challenge, but is also a starting point for developing serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. In this context, World Obesity Day, commemorated on March 4th, presents an essential opportunity to reflect and act on this issue.
The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that obesity has reached epidemic levels globally, affecting over 650 million adults and 340 million children and adolescents. In Spain, the situation is no different: 60% of adults are overweight and 23% are obese, according to the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO).
The necessary approach to address obesity is comprehensive and multifactorial. This special day highlights the crucial importance of reimagining obesity as a disease that requires evidence-based treatment, not just isolated interventions. Collaboration between healthcare systems, social support, and public policies are crucial to building a healthier future. It is essential to improve knowledge about the disease and create a community environment that advocates for real solutions, instead of solely placing the responsibility on the individual for their condition.
Solutions to combat excess weight can range from dietary and nutritional guidelines to bariatric surgeries and pharmacological treatments. However, it is vital that any intervention is accompanied by professional guidance and a shift towards a healthy lifestyle. PronoKal, which has been working in this field since 2004, emphasizes the importance of not only focusing on weight loss, but also on improving overall health and quality of life, seeking to eliminate the stigma associated with obesity. This is achieved through programs and methodologies that consider a holistic approach.
Maitane Núñez, Medical Advisor for the PronoKal Group, emphasizes the need to continue educating the public about obesity, its causes, and the diseases that can result from it. The Spanish Guide for the comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of obesity in adults, recently updated by SEEDO, reinforces a more collaborative approach between healthcare professionals and patient associations, ensuring that each treatment is tailored to individual needs.
However, the necessary changes to combat obesity are not simple. PronoKal’s “2025 Goals” survey revealed that lack of time, stress, limited access to healthy environments, and lack of motivation are the main obstacles that people in Spain face when trying to lose weight. Additionally, inadequate information on how to implement changes also poses a significant barrier.
The role of government and public policies is crucial in this scenario. It is essential to promote a healthier environment through regulations on ultra-processed and sugary products, as well as to promote nutritional education in schools and public spaces to encourage physical activity. The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) advocates for a systemic change that encompasses everything from research to clinical care, promoting collaboration between health, public policy, research, and education to improve the prevention and treatment of obesity. Through initiatives like “Addressing Obesity Together,” efforts are being made to unite healthcare professionals, lawmakers, and patients to address this disease comprehensively.
via: MiMub in Spanish
