Despite the effort made in recent years, more actions are still needed to successfully combat the obesity. In fact, its prevalence is increasing and threatens to cause serious damage to the health systems of many countries. While as a result of the sedentary lifestyle generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the levels among the population increased.
Therefore, Novo Nordisk led a conference on the occasion of World Obesity Day. In this case, Dr. Nayely Garibay Nieto, a specialist in pediatric endocrinology and Coordinator of the Childhood Obesity Clinic of the General Hospital of Mexico, reported that obesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial disease, in which genetic susceptibility is involved. , lifestyles and the characteristics of the environment, with the influence of various determinants such as globalization, culture, economic status, education, urbanization, as well as the social and family environment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of obesity almost tripled between 1975 and 2016, the year in which more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 and over were living with overweight and obesity around the world. In Mexico, the The percentage of adults aged 20 years and over who are overweight and obese is 75.2%.
What is there left to do?
Obesity is the main risk factor for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD), premature mortality and social cost, in addition to reducing the quality of life.
“Among the most important complications associated with obesity in adults we have cardiovascular disease in 20.1% of cases, type 2 diabetes mellitus in 15.2% of cases, malignant tumors in 10.8% of cases and disability in 40% of cases. Added to this is the stigma and discrimination against people with obesity, so ingrained in our society.
He also said that in Mexico and the world, multisectoral solutions should be proposed for this complex disease. Among the actions to combat obesity, he mentioned the training of health personnel, food accessibility and regulation of the food industry, specialized care based on scientific evidence, elimination of stigma and dignified treatment, adequate and safe spaces for physical activity. and patient- and family-centered interventions.
The reduction of 5 to 10% of body weight brings great benefits to health and quality of life: it improves the lipid profile in the blood, blood pressure, osteoarthritic pain and obstructive sleep apnea.[6] It also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors.
Lack of acceptance and stigma
“One of the factors that prevents proper and timely attention to obesity is the lack of recognition that it is a disease and all the prejudices that exist around it, at a social and individual level,” said Dr. Verónica Vázquez, clinical psychologist specializing in obesity and president of the civil association Obesidades.
With the aim of changing the narrative of obesity and its treatment in Mexico, in March 2021 the civil organization was created obesitywhich will soon launch the awareness campaign “Stories of Weight” on social networks, the media and its website, in which through four stories of people living with obesity, it will seek to educate and raise awareness among the population regarding obesity. disease and stigma.
Recognition of obesity as a disease
In his speech, Dr. Mike Vivas, Medical Director of Novo Nordisk Mexico, reported that different international organizations currently recognize obesity as a chronic disease.
“To avoid the burden and death associated with obesity, this disease must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, with clear and achievable goals. In this way we contribute to breaking the myth of the perfect body as synonymous with health, well-being and self-acceptance”.
Due to its high prevalence, health effects and strong social and economic impact, obesity is a health problem that requires urgent action from all sectors of society to reduce, prevent and treat it.