World Obesity Day 4 March 2023
- 08:00 AM
World Obesity Day returns on 4 March 2023 with the theme: ‘Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity‘.
The goal is to change perspectives: to correct misconceptions, end stigmas and get everybody making the decision to shift from single views to shared strategies.
With important conversations and real stories, we can help people acknowledge obesity’s complexities and take effective action. Because when we talk, debate and share, we can shift norms and transform health outcomes.
Obesity is on the rise globally, with 1 billion people predicted to be living with the disease by 2030. Despite the scale of this epidemic, efforts to address it are challenging due to misconceptions about obesity and the role it plays in a person’s health.
We know that obesity can be many different things, and there is no single blueprint to addressing it; everyone must take action that works for their country, their community and their body. However, discrepancies in how it is perceived have led to isolation, misunderstanding, and inconsistency in how obesity is understood and acted upon by individuals and institutions.
Let’s Talk About …
The Story behind World Obesity Day
For several years, various obesity days have been held in regions across the globe. Among the first of these was European Obesity Day (EOD), organised since May 2010.
What started as a grass-roots campaign involving a small group of concerned doctors and patients, quickly turned into a major event with participants and activities across many European countries.
Events have ranged from picnics and information stands in Paris and Athens, to walks and fun runs; briefings for healthcare professionals and pharmacists; the free distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables; debates and workshops for politicians and policymakers; media briefings and press conferences; and the free use of city bikes for the day.
In 2010 EOD received the award for ‘Campaign of the Year’ at the European Public Affairs Awards and in 2017 it won the Best European Lobbying Campaign Award.
World Obesity Day (WOD) was launched in 2015 as an initiative of the World Obesity Federation to stimulate and support practical solutions on a broader, global basis to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and to reverse the obesity crisis.
World Obesity Day brings together healthcare, patient and political communities who are keen to raise awareness of obesity and the many other diseases on which it impacts.
Did you know …
Obesity Risk in Iran
