Portugal launches initiatives to combat childhood obesity and weight stigma

New initiatives in Portugal are targeting the social and health impacts of obesity, focusing on reducing stigma and promoting informed dialogue.

The Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI) has launched a campaign in schools and kindergartens to demystify excess weight. This program includes in-person reading sessions and the distribution of the book ‘Mamã, o que é a obesidade?’ by Mário Silva. The initiative aims to foster empathy and combat bullying and discrimination related to body morphology, a critical issue as chronic obesity affects more than 30% of the Portuguese child population.

Simultaneously, the company Novo has introduced the ‘Emagreceste bem’ project. This campaign seeks to bring conversations about weight and obesity out of the private sphere and into the public eye. Featuring a diverse group of participants—including media personalities like Nuno Markl and Júlia Pinheiro, alongside medical professionals such as endocrinologists and psychologists—the project combines personal experiences with clinical expertise to promote long-term health management and reduce social taboos.