04/03/2026
Today is World Obesity Day.
By 2035, half of the world’s population - around 4 billion people - are expected to be living with overweight or obesity.
This is not just an adult issue. Childhood obesity is rising rapidly, with rates among school-aged children increasing almost fivefold since 1975, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Obesity in childhood often continues into adulthood, increasing the risk of serious non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Obesity does not occur in isolation.
Poverty, stigma, unequal access to education and healthcare, limited availability of healthy food, and environments that do not support healthy living all shape risk and outcomes across the life course. Almost 3 billion people, including over 400 million school age children, are already living with overweight or obesity - a figure projected to reach 4 billion by 2035.
These outcomes are not inevitable.
By understanding obesity rather than stigmatising it, prioritising prevention from the earliest years, centring lived experience and ensuring equitable access to care, we can change the trajectory.
World Obesity Day 2026 is a call to action for all 8 billion of us. Together, we can change the story of obesity.
