Jeemon Panniyammakal, Sivasubramonian Sivasankaran
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Glob Heart. 2025 Sep 3;20(1):77. doi: 10.5334/gh.1464. eCollection 2025.
Recent global estimates indicate that more than one billion people live with obesity, a figure that has doubled since 1990. When overweight individuals are included, nearly 2.5 billion adults are affected, with high body mass index contributing to an estimated 1.9 million cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths annually. Obesity and its close association with CVD remain pressing public health challenges that require sustained, coordinated action. Recent global policy discussions, including the UN General Assembly's Zero Draft Political Declaration, highlight the importance of improving food labelling, taxing sugary drinks, limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods, and encouraging active living through supportive urban planning. Countries are encouraged to align national obesity strategies with the WHO's 2022 Acceleration Plan to STOP Obesity, with clear goals and mechanisms for accountability and monitoring. Preventive measures are most effective when introduced early, such as encouraging breastfeeding and creating supportive school environments that offer balanced meals, limit access to unhealthy foods, and incorporate regular physical activity into daily schedules. Fiscal measures, including taxes, subsidies, and mandatory nutrition labels, can help guide consumer choices towards healthier options. Supportive built environments with safe access to parks, pedestrian routes, and cycling paths further encourage active lifestyles. Health systems are central in ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment, delivered through stigma-free and evidence-based care. Community-based and family-oriented programs have shown promise, while pharmacological options may complement lifestyle approaches where appropriate. Long-term progress depends on sustained commitment, cross-sectoral collaboration, and integration of obesity prevention into broader public health frameworks.
近期全球估计数据表明，超过10亿人患有肥胖症，这一数字自1990年以来已翻了一番。若将超重个体计算在内，近25亿成年人受到影响，高体重指数估计每年导致190万人死于心血管疾病（CVD）。肥胖症及其与心血管疾病的密切关联仍然是紧迫的公共卫生挑战，需要持续、协调的行动。近期的全球政策讨论，包括联合国大会的零草案政治宣言，强调了改善食品标签、对含糖饮料征税、限制不健康食品营销以及通过支持性城市规划鼓励积极生活方式的重要性。鼓励各国将国家肥胖症战略与世界卫生组织的《2022年遏制肥胖加速计划》保持一致，明确问责和监测的目标及机制。预防措施在早期实施时最为有效，例如鼓励母乳喂养，营造支持性的学校环境，提供均衡膳食，限制获取不健康食品，并将定期体育活动纳入日常安排。财政措施，包括税收、补贴和强制性营养标签，有助于引导消费者选择更健康的选项。具备安全的公园、行人路线和自行车道的支持性建成环境进一步鼓励积极的生活方式。卫生系统对于确保公平获得预防和治疗至关重要，通过无歧视且基于证据的护理来提供。基于社区和以家庭为导向的项目已显示出前景，而药物治疗选项在适当情况下可补充生活方式干预措施。长期进展取决于持续的承诺、跨部门合作以及将肥胖预防纳入更广泛的公共卫生框架。
