A year to act: Paving the way to the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs
With just one year remaining until the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in 2025, the World Obesity Federation is actively raising awareness and advocating for obesity to take centre stage in global NCD discussions at this month's 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA).
From 22 to 27 September 2024, our staff and board members will be present at the UN headquarters in New York, co-hosting a high-level roundtable with our Global Obesity Coalition partners and attending various side events.
Our message is clear: Addressing obesity must be at the heart of the global NCD response if we are to stem the tide of rising NCDs.
Missed targets: A decade of inaction
In 2011, UN Member States committed to a bold programme to reduce the burden of NCDs, including obesity. The World Health Assembly adopted a set of targets in May 2013, one of which was to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity in adolescents and adults by 2025.
Despite these commitments, obesity has continued to rise globally. Data from the World Obesity Federation shows that, based on 2010 levels, obesity is increasing in almost all countries. In fact, our 2020 World Obesity Atlas revealed that most countries had less than a 10% chance of meeting the 2025 target to halt the rise in obesity. Although this target has now been extended to 2030, the numbers are unlikely to change when the final data is analysed. Additionally, only six countries appear on track to achieve the NCD mortality target of reducing premature deaths by one-third by 2030.
Obesity and NCDs: An interlinked crisis unfolding
Obesity is not just a disease in its own right—it is a major driver of NCDs. Every year, 41 million adults die from NCDs, and up to 5 million of these deaths are driven by high BMI (≥ 25 kg/m²). Obesity is responsible for over 120 million adult person-years lost to the four leading NCDs each year. Most of these avoidable deaths and diseases are occurring in middle-income countries.
Looking ahead, the future presents an even grimmer picture. By 2035, it is projected that 750 million children will be living with overweight and obesity. This means two out of every five children globally will be at higher risk of developing NCDs during their lifetime, even in childhood. In 2035, an estimated 68 million children will be suffering from high blood pressure, an estimated 27 million will be living with high blood sugar, and 76 million will have low ‘good’ cholesterol all due to their high BMI.
A call for collective action
In 2022, Member States demanded and adopted new recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity and endorsed the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity. The path to address obesity is clear; now is the time for collective action.
In the lead-up to the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, the World Obesity Federation will be working with our members, partners, and people living with obesity and other NCDs to create a movement to catalyse action on obesity.
"Obesity is the linchpin in the fight against NCDs. Addressing this epidemic isn't just one strategy - it’s the most critical step we can take to reduce the global burden of disease." Johanna Ralston CEO, World Obesity Federation
Together we will be advocating for:
- Greater recognition of obesity as both a disease in its own right and a primary driver of other NCDs.
- Increased resources dedicated to addressing obesity, proportionate to the global burden it represents.
- Coordinated multistakeholder and multisectoral action to address the roots of obesity from all angles.
- Government commitment to implement WHO recommendations and join the Acceleration Plan.
- Integration of obesity into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks.
- Meaningful involvement of people with lived experience at the centre of discussions and decision-making.
As we approach this pivotal moment, we must come together to ensure that obesity is no longer overlooked in global health and NCD strategies. The time for collective action on obesity is now.
Get involved
Over the coming months, World Obesity will be convening advocates (more on this soon) and exploring key issues in thought leadership pieces. We encourage everyone to join us in advocating for stronger commitments on obesity ahead of the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs.
Follow us on social media to keep up to date on our efforts to reshape the global response to obesity and NCDs.
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