Amman: The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean issued a stark warning on Monday about the worsening obesity crisis in the region.
According to Jordan News Agency, the WHO released a statement ahead of World Obesity Day on March 4, highlighting alarming data that shows a sharp rise in obesity rates throughout the past few decades. The data reveals that 60% of the population in some countries in the Eastern Mediterranean were either overweight or obese as of 2023.
Obesity is described as a chronic and complex disease that impacts individuals’ health and contributes significantly to the global burden of other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. WHO’s statement stresses the urgent need for action, calling on governments and local communities to take immediate and decisive measures to combat the rising obesity rates. The organisation emphasises that obesity is one of the “most pressing” public health challenges of the current era.
The WHO urged the incorporation of obesity prevention strategies into national health policies and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries in implementing effective policies that promote health and prevent obesity while ensuring proper care for those already affected. The organisation also emphasised the need for strengthened partnerships between governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to ensure sustainable interventions.
This year’s World Obesity Day theme will be “Building a healthy future: tackling obesity through prevention and care.”