People with obesity are constantly shamed and blamed for their disease. This is because many people – including doctors, policymakers, and others – do not understand that obesity is a chronic disease. They see it as a simple lack of willpower, laziness, or a refusal to “eat less and move more”. But like all chronic diseases, the root causes of obesity run much deeper. They can be genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic and environmental.
It is time we break the cycle of shame and blame and revaluate our approach for addressing this complex chronic disease that affects 8 million Australians and 650 million people worldwide.
Join us and organisations around the world for a new World Obesity Day on March 4, 2020, as we push for more comprehensive solutions, treatment and collective responsibility for addressing this global epidemic. Together, we can address the far reaching personal, societal, and economic impacts of obesity.
Dr Rigas’ take home messages this World Obesity Day: 
- “People don’t choose to develop obesity; therefore the shame and blame needs to stop!”
- “We need to shift the conversation from loss of weight to gain in health”
- “Effective treatments such as anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery do exist and may health improve your health and function”
- “I encourage people living with obesity or who have a strong family history of obesity to make an appointment with a GP who understands the science underlying obesity”
Together we can create a healthier future. For more information on World Obesity Day
Spread the word: #worldobesityday
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