Addressing Obesity as a Gateway Disease: Why Europe must act now

Earlier this month, we hosted an important event at the European Parliament to mark World Obesity Day 2026 – “Addressing Obesity as a Gateway Disease: Why Europe must act now”. Hosted by MEP Romana Jerković (S&D, HR), the discussion brought together Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient representatives and international organisations to highlight the urgent need to place obesity at the centre of Europe’s action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

With over 45 participants in attendance, the audience heard a keynote address from Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi as well as an impactful call for action from the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO). We also heard from experts and organisations including the European Society of 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. Together, these interventions highlighted the interconnectedness of obesity and other NCDs and the need for more integrated, coordinated approaches across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management.

Following the event, we are pleased to share our new report, “Addressing Obesity as a Gateway Disease – Why Europe must act now: A Call for Action.” The report brings together the key messages from the discussion and sets out why obesity must be addressed more urgently and more coherently at the EU level.

Among the themes explored in the report are:

• Recognising obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease and a gateway to other conditions
• Addressing obesity at the centre of action on NCDs
• Reducing stigma and addressing inequalities and barriers to care
• Moving from discussion to coordinated, evidence-based action

One message was clear throughout the discussion: obesity cannot only be part of the conversation on World Obesity Day. With prevalence continuing to rise across Europe, sustained political attention and coordinated action are needed throughout the year.

We hope this report helps continue the discussion and supports stronger, more coordinated European action on obesity.

In addition to the contributions made during the event, several members of MEPs for Action on Obesity who could not attend the event in person shared video messages supporting stronger EU action on obesity.

MEP Manuela Ripa (EPP, DE) highlighted the importance of addressing obesity as part of Europe’s wider response to non-communicable diseases, particularly in children.

MEP Laurent Castillo (PfE, FR) reflected on the growing political attention obesity has received at EU level over the past year, since the event that he hosted in the European Parliament on World Obesity Day in 2025.

MEP Francesco Torselli (ECR, IT) underlined the importance of recognising obesity as a chronic, complex and multifactorial disease and the needs for urgent action.