04/03/2023
Let's talk about... obesity as a disease this World Obesity Day 2023
Obesity is a disease caused by a variety of factors, including biology, mental health, genetic risk, environment, healthcare access, and access to ultra-processed food. It is about more than weight or 'willpower'.
People living with obesity may be at greater risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
Everyone’s journey is different, but many people face similar challenges along the way, such as weight stigma, blame, and barriers to support.
Attitudes to obesity need to change, and so do the whole-society systems (like food and healthcare) that affect people’s health. It’s time the world started listening to what people living with obesity have to say about the issue.
Individuals are not to blame for their obesity. Obesity is often driven by forces outside of a person's control, and is the result of complex biological, genetic, and environmental factors.