Discover World Obesity Day 2026

From Stigma to Solutions: Changing The Story of Obesity

#WorldObesityDay—8 Billion Reasons to Act

The Rising Prevalence of Obesity

The rates of overweight and obesity are rising sharply around the world and increasingly undermining people’s health across all ages and social groups. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that global obesity has almost tripled since 1975, highlighting a widespread health problem that affects countries at every income level. By 2035, half the world’s population—around 4 billion people—could have overweight or obesity according to WHO estimation.

High Prevalence of Obesity in UAE

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), obesity is particularly common among people aged 45 years and older, where three in four are overweight. Among women over 60, the picture is even more serious, with 56% classified as obese. A mix of factors such as age, sex, ethnic background, type of work, and daily habits all play a role in shaping obesity risk, underlining how complex this issue is.

Childhood obesity has also risen sharply worldwide in recent decades, with the share of overweight or obese children and adolescents aged 5–19 more than quadrupling. In the UAE, rates of childhood obesity are increasing as well, especially between ages 3 and 12. Among 11- to 14-year-olds, one in four is obese. Without intervention, many of these children are likely to remain obese as adults, with serious long-term health, social, and economic consequences.

From Weight Blaming to Body Shaming

People living with obesity are more likely to experience widespread social stigma. They are often unfairly seen as lacking self-control, willpower, or discipline. As a result, they may encounter bias and discrimination in healthcare, at work, in schools, and in everyday life. This blame can lead to significant psychological and physical harm and can also reduce the likelihood that they seek or receive appropriate care.

The impact of weight stigma extends beyond individuals. When society believes obesity can be fully reversed just by “eating less and moving more,” it can skew public health policies, restrict access to effective treatments, and limit funding for research. Ultimately, weight-based blaming and obesity stigma damage health, undermine human and social rights, and have no place in a modern society.

Consequences of Obesity Stigma

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) notes that weight stigma can seriously affect a person’s social life, mental health, and physical well-being. It can lead to low self-esteem and poor body image, depression and anxiety, rejection by peers or family, strained personal relationships, lower wages and fewer opportunities for promotion, harmful weight-control behaviors such as disordered eating, and avoiding exercise in favor of a more sedentary lifestyle.

Although some people believe that discrimination might push individuals to lose weight, the evidence shows the opposite. Studies indicate that anti-obesity bias and fat shaming often contribute to further weight gain, because exposure to stigma increases stress, weakens self-control, and can trigger binge eating.

Start Preventing Obesity Early

Starting obesity prevention early in life is crucial, because eating habits, activity levels, and attitudes toward food and movement are formed in childhood and are strongly influenced by a child’s everyday surroundings at home, in school, and in the community. Working with children means parents, teachers, and caregivers can build healthy routines into daily life—such as active play, balanced meals, and limiting screen time—before unhealthy patterns become entrenched.

In the UAE, early prevention is a growing priority, and national initiatives focus on promoting healthier lifestyles through awareness campaigns, school- and community-based programs, and educational materials that encourage families to support children in making healthier choices. The Ministry of Health and Prevention’s awareness center, for example, offers information on nutrition, physical activity, and healthy living to reduce obesity and related chronic diseases across the population.

Find more information on

The Power of Physical Activity

Tips for Physical Activity with Children

Healthy Food Choices

Healthy recipes for a school lunch

#WorldObesityDay

“This year, the campaign brings together everyone affected by overweight and obesity—all 8 billion of us—with a particular focus on our most vulnerable communities: children.

Projections show that four billion people—half the global population—are expected to be living with overweight and obesity by 2035. But in reality, obesity at that scale affects all of society. It means every community is touched by the non-communicable diseases to which obesity is a major contributor… The measures we take to prevent and treat obesity will benefit every single one of us. That’s why there are eight billion reasons to take part in World Obesity Day.”

https://www.worldobesityday.org/

A contribution by Dr. Gabriele Stumm
@TheKnowHow