World Obesity Day was established in 2015 as an annual campaign to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and to promote practical action to address the global obesity crisis. In 2020, the new World Obesity Day date of March 4 began. In 2021, more than six billion people were reached (World Obesity Federation)

According to WHO, 800 million people globally are living with obesity. Obesity in children has doubled every 10 years so far. By 2030, it is expected to rise to 60%, affecting 250 million children. The high medical consequences of obesity will cost over US$ 1 trillion by 2025. With this in mind, WHO and partners argue that with World Obesity Day on 4 March, we can improve understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity and make progress.

By raising awareness and ensuring access to appropriate information, obesity can be tackled, and people can be empowered to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as staying physically active and choosing healthy foods and drinks (WHO 2023).

Sources

WHO, (2023)  “Everybody needs to act”:
https://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/campaigns/world-obesity-day-2022.html (Accessed, 22 March 2023)

World Obesity Federation, (2022), “World Obesity Day”:
https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/world-obesity-day (Accessed, 22 March 2023)