9.D. Workshop: Obesity: the greatest burden of the 21st Century and the post-pandemic
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-CHR, EUPHA-FN, EUPHA-ENV,   Chair persons: Sarah Cuschieri (Malta), Giuseppe Grosso (EUPHA-FN)
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Obesity, a complex multifactorial disorder, is defined as excess accumulation of adipose tissue that presents as a risk to health. There is an ongoing debate whether obesity should be labelled as a chronic disease or as a risk factor due to the associated economic, health, labour related implications among others. Although, some international organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared obesity as a disease. Another challenge is the mode of measurement utilized. The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to define obesity, while others utilize the waist circumference or the waist-hip ratio. However, it is well established that these modes of measurement are not perfect, leaving room for discussion as to the best way forward. Amidst all this, obesity has been a global epidemic for decades with progressive increasing population rates. Country specific policies targeting obesity have been implemented across the years, yet the obesogenic environment is still dominating in most countries. Furthermore, the recent onset of COVID-19 pandemic brought with it the implementation of mitigations measures and restrictions which further increased the risk of obesity, even among children. This period saw unfavourable shifts in food consumption as well as distribution in physical activity patterns. As we enter the post-COVID era, we are faced with a multitude of challenges one being the “Obesity ever-growing epidemic”. This workshop aims to bring together expert presentations from a multidisciplinary field to discuss the direction that should be taken to halt this epidemic especially at the backdrop of COVID-19. The workshop will open with a debacle on the heterogeneity of obesity and how to define weight status correctly and accurately. This will set the scene as to the complexity of obesity, from its definition to appropriate management. The population's nutritional intake plays a role in this epidemic and is a valuable tool for obesity prevention, management, and treatment. Targeting the paediatric population is key, while highlighting the importance of following the Mediterranean Diet to tackle this epidemic. Additionally creating a healthy food system is also merited. One cannot forget the impact that the environment plays in development of obesity. Indeed, targeting the environment is crucial to ensure that the population is exposed to a “healthy environment” that promotes population wellbeing. Several obesity targeted policies and interventions have been implemented across countries, yet obesity epidemic is ever so growing. This sets forward the question as to whether behavioural aspects could be the leading contributor to this epidemic? The final presentation will provide insights on how the socio-behavioural aspects of a population effect the rampant obesity ecosystem we are living in.

Key messages
• Obesity is still a global epidemic requiring an urgent multidisciplinary approach.
• Action targeting the nutrition, environment and socio-behavioural aspects are a must to deal with the obesity epidemic.