In Switzerland, 12% of men and 10% of women are affected by obesity. These proportions doubled between 1992 and 2017 and will reach, according to WHO forecasts, 16% by 2030, reports the Swiss Obesity Alliance on Saturday.
For Doris Fischer-Taeschler, president of the Swiss Obesity Alliance, “political action is essential”. And it starts by considering obesity as “a disease in its own right”. For the Alliance, this paradigm shift will make it possible to implement targeted measures to prevent and reduce overweight.
Denounced stigma
Also, the organization takes advantage of this day to draw attention to the stigmatization of people suffering from obesity. The lack of understanding of the disease and the resulting stigmatization are sources of additional suffering for those concerned, writes the alliance.
According to Doris Fischer-Taeschler, political action and awareness are important to “improve the situation of those affected and relieve the health system in the long term”.
ats/lan
