Health experts urge obesity prevention to combat rising diabetes

Health experts and organizations are calling for a shift in public health policy to prioritize obesity prevention rather than solely treating its derivatives, such as diabetes and hypertension. During the Therapeutic Innovation Forum in Diabetes and Obesity, specialists noted that while treatments exist for diabetes and hypertension, there is a lack of integrated treatment models for obesity within social security systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies obesity as a complex chronic disease influenced by genetics, neurobiology, dietary habits, and environmental factors. In 2022, one in eight people globally was obese, and 2.5 billion adults were overweight. By 2024, the WHO reported that 35 million children under five were overweight.

In Costa Rica, the connection between these conditions is critical, as approximately 90% of people with type 2 diabetes also present with obesity. Experts warn that if left unaddressed, overweight and obesity could cost the national GDP 4% by 2050. Advocates are urging the implementation of robust care models led by multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nutritionists, and psychologists to provide accessible therapeutic options.