World Obesity Day is observed globally on 11 October with the view of promoting practical

solutions to end the global obesity crisis. It is organized by the World Obesity Federation, a
non-profit body which is in official relations with the World Health Organization and is a
collaborating body on the Lancet Commission on Obesity. World Obesity states that its
aim is to "lead and drive global efforts to reduce, prevent and treat obesity." The first World
Obesity Day took place in 2015. The second took place in 2016 and focused on childhood
obesity, aligning with the WHO Commission report on Ending Childhood Obesity.

Obesity has been observed throughout human history. Many early depictions of the
human form in art and sculpture appear obese. However, it was not until the 20th century
that obesity became commonso much so that in 1997 the World Health
Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic. In June 2013 the
American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease with much controversy. In
2013, an estimated 2.1 billion adults were overweight as compared with 857 million in
1980. The rate of obesity also increases with age at least up to 50 or 60 years old.

World Obesity Day is an annual campaign established in 2015 by the World Obesity
Federation (WOF). This initiative aims at stimulating and supporting practical actions
that will help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reverse the global obesity
crisis. Each year, WOF chooses a specific theme for the campaign and this year World
Obesity Day (WOD) will focus on Childhood Obesity. In most countries of the world,
child and adolescent obesity has risen severely, with only few countries taking action to
fight this damaging health issue that has lifelong consequences on health, educational
attainment and quality of life. World Obesity Day will highlight the need for action and the
role everyone can play in ending childhood obesity, to ensure a healthier future for all.

In its June 2014 report on the problems of obesity affecting people across the globe, the
organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has made the following
key points:

A major part of the population in the OECD countries is obese, having one obese (or
overweight) child out of five children in total. This is almost a tenfold variation as
recorded against the OECD nations. But the latest data collected may not provide a
complete picture of the extent of the epidemic.
Over the past five years, the epidemic has spread out further. However, the rate of this
epidemic's growth has slowed as compared to previously recorded data. Presently, in
the United Kingdom, Italy, Korea, and the United States both "obesity" and
"overweight" are virtually stable, while in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Spain,
and Switzerland these have increased.
Many countries have built multi-stakeholder network, and that involves both the civil
as well as business society factors in order to devise appropriate public health policies.
These initiatives are being evaluated now for their effectiveness in delivering the right
output.[9]
World Obesity Federation represents professional members of the scientific,
medical and research communities from over 50 regional and national obesity
associations. Led by Executive Director Christine Trimmer staff now number 8
full time and 1 part time member. OIT continues to organise ICO, World
Obesitys global forum for scientific dialogue and intelligent, informed debate
on obesity, as well as other meetings and conferences in the field of obesity and
its related disciplines.

World Obesity Day 2016

Child and adolescent obesity has risen rapidly around the world, with
few countries taking action against this damaging health issue which
affects later health, educational attainment and quality of life.

In May 2012, the 65th World Health Assembly endorsed the

Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young
Child Nutrition (ref 2) which had six global nutrition targets to be
achieved by 2025, including Target 4: No increase in childhood
overweight, which applied to infants and young children up to age 5
years.
In May 2016, the 69th World Health Assembly committed to
establishing national strategies to end childhood obesity as
recommended by the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity.
Objectives

Encourage more member associations to undertake high profile media

campaigns

Increase public and policymaker understanding of the challenge of obesity, and

what can be done to tackle it

Share national experiences of campaigning to enable the spread of best

practices

Obtain ratification of World Obesity Day from WHO