Stigma of obesity preventing people from treatment thus threatening heart health

Stigma and misunderstanding of obesity are preventing people from receiving adequate treatment for the disease which is increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease CVD a new report from the World Heart Federation warnsThe World Heart Report 2025 Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease launched at the World Heart Summit on May 17 highlights the myths that hamper efforts to treat obesity The problem is compounded by systemic healthcare gaps and is contributing to an economic burden worsened by the aggressive commercial practices of companies making cheap processed foodThe World Heart Report emphasises the trends that could send healthcare costs spiraling1 As the rate of child obesity continues to increase children with a high BMI are 40 per cent more likely than their peers to suffer from CVD in midlife2 The onset of obesity at younger ages can significantly reduce life expectancy while the psychological impacts of childhood obesity are profound ndash obesity is now the leading cause of bullying and discrimination in schools3 CVD mortality attributable to high body mass index BMI is now highest among middleincome countries with rates up to 675 deaths per 100000 people in North Africa and the Middle East4 Across the globe obesity cases increased in nearly every country between 1990 to 2022 and global deaths from cardiovascular disease linked to high BMI have more than doubled5 If current growth trends continue data projects that almost 2 in 3 adults over 25 years of age could be overweight or obese by 20506 A shift in types of employment towards desk jobs is also associated with the development of obesity and CVD as are long working hours and frequently working overtimeThe report expresses concern that stigma experienced by people living with obesity is preventing them from receiving adequate treatment through guidance lifestyle support and appropriate medication Obesity is not caused simply by a sedentary lifestyle and overeating it saysldquoTo tackle the worldrsquos mounting obesity crisis governments must implement costeffective public health measures that improve public awareness and decrease risk factors recognising obesity as multifactorial and committing to making full treatment options available accessible and affordablerdquo says Francisco LopezJimenez professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and one of the report authorsA wide range of interrelated factors are referenced for contributing to the issue They include access to healthy and affordable food availability of recreational facilities and green spaces that are linked with levels of physical activity BMI hypertension and in turn CVDStudies have also found some health professionals to hold negative biases about obesity and to view patients as noncompliant with health advice This can deter people with obesity from seeking medical care including prevention and screening and thereby compromise their overall healthcare for various CVD conditionsThe economic impact of obesity is projected to triple in highincome countries and increase 23fold in upper middleincome countries while prevalence of obesity is increasing faster in rural areas If coordinated and evidencebased action can reverse obesity and overweight prevalence to 2019 levels it could translate into savings of US22 trillion in costs every year between 2020 and 2060 globally the report saysldquoTo address the growing implications of the obesity crisis we urge action and targeted investment by governments around the world Health systems must be strengthened to ensure broader access to and affordability of medical care for obesity and CVDrdquo says Mariachiara Di Cesare professor of Population Studies and Global Health and Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Essex UK and one of the report authorsHighlighting regulation introduced in countries from Rwanda and Latvia to Japan and the UK the report points to the impact of zoning regulations to limit the density of fastfood outlets and the power of taxbased initiatives to reduce obesity and CVDThe report also highlights the success of communitybased projects such as the Mana Tu project codesigned with Maori and Pasifika communities in New Zealand The programme provided support and guidance linked to effective disease management including nutrition prompting an increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables amongst participants alongside a 1037 average increase in physical activityldquoLongstanding weight stigma and discrimination have hindered efforts to tackle obesity and contributed to the rise of CVDs so it is urgent to address both Any policy to tackle obesity must address health disparities and support underserved populations who face greater barriers to hearthealthy living and obesity therapies while taking care to not further entrench the stigmatisation of obesityrdquo says professor LopezJimenezatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params