8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity
It’s World Obesity Day on the 4th of March, and this year is a call to action to come together and change the story of obesity, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable communities: children.
There are just over eight billion people in the world. More than 1 billion people, including 543 million children and adolescents, are already living with overweight or obesity - a figure projected to reach
Obesity in childhood often continues into adulthood, increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But obesity doesn’t happen in isolation; it is so often linked with poverty, stigma, access to healthcare and the environments we live in.
Rising obesity levels are a sign that systems aren’t working. By increasing understanding of the causes of obesity, we can change the trajectory; rather than stigmatising and oversimplifying obesity, we can prioritise prevention from childhood and ensure systems and environments are changed to support health and equality for all.
By taking this approach, we can all play a role in creating a world where obesity is understood:
- Where we prioritise prevention from the earliest years,
- Where we support those already living with obesity with equitable access to healthcare and
- Where we build systems and environments that support healthier lives for all.
In Obelisk, we are focused on cutting the roots of obesity - by increasing awareness of childhood obesity in order to reduce stigma and blame. Our research hopes to further our understanding of both the molecular and genetic elements of childhood obesity, whilst developing tools for early prediction and prevention. Obelisk seeks to share best practices and optimise knowledge through collaboration and communication, and we have written several articles that you can access to increase your knowledge on common topics linked to this subject. Please read, share and follow us to keep up to date with all the latest developments in the project.
- Understanding Childhood Obesity as a Chronic Disease
- The Hidden Impacts of Weight Stigma on Children: What It Is and Why It Matters
- Childhood Obesity and Future Health
- Five Myths About Childhood Obesity – and The Truth Behind Them
You can access the Obelisk Resources Library HERE.
