World Obesity Day 2026

por Acción contra la obesidad | Mar 5, 2026

A group of people sit around a large, U-shaped conference table in a modern meeting room, listening to a panel of speakers. Presentation slides are displayed on monitors on the tables.

To mark World Obesity Day on 4 March, MEPs for Action on Obesity hosted an event at the European Parliament – “Addressing Obesity as a Gateway Disease: Why Europe must act now”. The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers and patient representatives to highlight the importance of placing obesity at the centre of Europe’s action on NCDs.

World Obesity Day Europe is an annual campaign led by the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity and supported by the European Association for the Study of Obesity. The focus for World Obesity Day 2026 is to create a clearer understanding of obesity treatments and the essential use of 360-degree treatment to manage the disease.

Six people sit at a panel table in a conference room. A banner behind them reads “Addressing Obesity as a Gateway Disease: Why Europe Needs to Act Now.” Microphones, nameplates, and water bottles are on the table.

We were delighted to be joined by the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity to discuss the lived experience of people living with obesity to help policymakers understand the importance of addressing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease. The discussion also featured contributions from a range of experts from different disease areas and international organisations, including from the European Society for Cardiology, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, the European Cancer Organisation, the Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity, WHO Europe and the OECD. These interventions highlighted the interconnectedness of obesity and other NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and liver and kidney diseases.

The discussion focused on:

Recognising obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease
Embedding action on obesity across NCD strategies
Addressing stigma and inequalities
Calling for coordinated, evidence-based policy action on obesity

Following the event, we want to make sure that one message is clear – we cannot only speak about the importance of addressing obesity on World Obesity Day. With rising prevalence across Europe and 25% of the European population currently living with overweight or obesity, this is a daily challenge that must be addressed. As MEPs for Action on Obesity, we are committed to continuing this important discussion throughout the year. There is no time to lose, and we are committed to continuing working towards coordinated action on obesity.

Stay tuned for an in-depth report of the event!