Suisse
Obesity must be recognized as a disease in its own right
The Swiss Obesity Alliance calls for obesity to be integrated as a disease in its own right during the next revision of the “Non-communicable diseases” strategy.
Published
In Switzerland, 12% of men and 10% of women suffer from obesity (illustration image).
AFP
On the occasion of World Obesity Day, which “aims to change the perspective on the disease”, the Swiss Obesity Alliance has published a series of recommendations. In a press release published this Saturday, she explains that she wants in particular to “integrate the chronic disease of obesity into the health policy strategy” Non-communicable diseases “(NCD strategy) and take more targeted information measures” .
At present, obesity is only considered as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases in the NCD Strategy 2021-2024, recalls the press release. “This classification largely contributes to the fact that there are not enough targeted measures today to prevent and reduce obesity,” says the Alliance.
Rise in obesity
However, as she recalls, “the proportion of people suffering from obesity doubled in Switzerland between 1992 and 2017”: 12% of men and 10% of women are now affected. According to forecasts by the World Health Organization (WHO), these proportions will reach 16% for both sexes by 2030.
Faced with these realities, the Swiss Obesity Alliance regrets that “society and politics still attach too little importance to this disease” and believes that “a paradigm shift is therefore necessary”. “The policy must encourage the reduction of stigmatization of the people concerned as well as the strengthening of prevention measures at all ages”, declares its president, Doris Fischer-Taeschler.
People suffering from obesity are regularly stigmatized in Switzerland. “This often leads to a deterioration in their health and can have serious consequences. The people concerned often suffer from depression which can go as far as suicidal thoughts, ”explains Doris Fischer-Taeschler. Faced with the lack of understanding of the seriousness and complexity of this disease, the Swiss Obesity Alliance “is committed to reducing the stigmatization of those affected”.
(comm/aze)