BIOLOGY
The human body has in-built mechanisms to protect itself from starvation – this can make it hard to maintain weight loss.
read more800 million of us are living with obesity. Together, we can be a powerful voice calling for more respect, better care, bold policies, and real action. Here are some simple actions you can take.
There are many root causes of obesity, and we must work together to address them as a society. Simplifying the disease to any one cause can make treating it even harder, while looking at the whole picture can help identify opportunities for cooperation and lasting change.
It is vital that more people around the world understand the causes of obesity. Our factsheets offer a simple overview of the issues. Download and share them today.
view fact sheetsBIOLOGY
The human body has in-built mechanisms to protect itself from starvation – this can make it hard to maintain weight loss.
read moreFOOD
Ultra-processed food, now seen across the globe, is contributing to the rapid rise in obesity.
read moreGENETIC RISK
Our genes account for somewhere between 40-70% of likelihood of developing obesity.
read moreHEALTHCARE ACCESS
Without access to trained healthcare professionals, most people who suffer from obesity won’t reach and maintain a healthy long-term weight goal.
read moreLIFE EVENTS
Prenatal life, early adulthood, pregnancy, illnesses and medications can all influence weight gain.
read moreMARKETING
There is a complex relationship between food systems and health, with marketing of foodstuffs having a known link to obesity.
read moreMENTAL HEALTH
Symptoms of some mental health disorders, and their associated medications, can lead to weight gain.
read moreSLEEP
Lack of sleep disturbs hormones which can affect your weight – as can high levels of stress.
read moreSTIGMA
Weight discrimination and stigma can have significant consequences for somebody with obesity.
read moreWhat changes do you want to see in your community to support people with obesity? Who could you speak to or work with to inspire that change? Becoming an advocate is a great way to speak up for your rights and needs. It can make a major difference and encourage others to act, too.
You could write to your favourite newspaper to challenge negative portrayals of obesity; speak to employers about weight stigma and healthy workplaces; write to community leaders to encourage action; or simply start a conversation with a friend or relative.
You may also want to work with a patient organisation such as the Global Obesity Patient Alliance (GOPA); European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO); Obesity Matters Canada; and the Australian Weight Issues Network (WIN) to find likeminded people.
million
people around the world are living with obesity
The more we talk openly about obesity, the easier it will become to find ways forward together. Sharing your story can be extremely valuable and inspire others who may feel alone and unrepresented. Read other people's stories here.
Share your storyOgweno Stephen was born with childhood obesity, but with the support of people around him he was able to manage his condition. He now leads Stowelink, and organisation educating people in Kenya about obesity, stigma, and how to lead healthier lives.
Ogweno Stephen was born with childhood obesity, but with the support of people around him who recognised obesity as a disease, he was able to manage his condition. He now leads Stowelink, a grassroots organisation that educates communities in Kenya about obesity, stigma, and how to live healthier lives.
Here is his story:
Hi, my name is Ogweno Stephen and I come from Nairobi, Kenya. I was born with childhood obesity, and if statistics are anything to go by, by the time I was 18 I was supposed to be living with full-blown obesity. By the time I was 25 I was supposed to have developed hypertension and by the time I was 35 I probably would have developed diabetes resulting from obesity.
But this was not the case because early on in my life I had people close to me who understood that obesity was a disease and as a result they helped me manage my condition and nudged me back to health. Now I realise that this is a privilege that I had that not a lot of people – especially in sub-Saharan Africa – have when it comes to obesity.
And so, I developed an organisation called Stowelink and from 2016 we have been working on educating communities on what obesity is, what are the myths and misconceptions surrounding obesity, and more importantly what can you do to be healthy and to reduce stigma on obesity? This action is the grassroots level action, but we realise that action on obesity is multifaceted and it needs everybody.
That is why we are constantly engaging with global organisations like the World Obesity Federation to be able to suggest policy actions and to be able to suggest implementation plans that would be able to better the policy environment and ecosystem when it comes to obesity.
Now World Obesity Day is a very important day for us because as people living with obesity this is the day that we get to celebrate the actions of people around the world on obesity. We also get to celebrate the progress that has been made locally and globally as it concerns obesity. But more importantly, we get to set the next steps in the action and the fight against obesity.
And that is why I’m urging everybody that when it comes to obesity, everybody needs to act. That is the theme for 2022 and I hope that you from your seat, you from at home, you from your workplace, take action in reducing obesity, and in talking about obesity. Because everybody needs everybody. Thank you.