SANT study provides information on the chances of combating obesity. 

CH – 11/2024

In October, at the request of the Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT), the European Parliament published a study on current developments and challenges in the prevention and treatment of obesity. This is a chronic, complex and multifactorial disease that is also becoming increasingly important in the European Union (EU).

Facts

As early as 2019, 53 per cent of the adult population of the EU was affected by obesity or overweight. Obesity is expected to shorten the life expectancy of the European population by almost three years over the next 30 years as the disease often occurs in conjunction with other illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer. It is also estimated that expenditure on obesity-related illnesses in OECD member countries will amount to up to eight per cent of their annual healthcare budgets by 2050.

Favouring factors

The development of obesity is influenced by various factors. The most important factors include genetic, psychological and environmental aspects as well as individual lifestyle. Income, education, employment and place of residence have an equal impact on the development of obesity. Low physical activity and excessive calorie intake are among the main risk factors for obesity. Children who live in an obesogenic environment are particularly prone to this disease.

Food labelling and taxation as measures

According to the authors, one way of combating the causes and development of obesity is to introduce meaningful food labelling. Clear nutritional information could help consumers to make healthy food choices when shopping. Increased taxation on unhealthy foods such as sugar-sweetened drinks could also help people to eat better. Especially when healthy foods are taxed at a lower rate at the same time. 

Use of medication

New weight-loss medicines have shown promising results in improving the health of people with obesity. However, according to the study, these medicines are not miracle cures. They are also often associated with very high costs. They usually have to be taken over a prolonged period to maintain weight loss.

Complex disease – EU’s multi-layered room for manoeuvre

The authors of the study point out that the best possible healthcare for the obese can only be guaranteed if the complexity of the disease is recognised. This requires integrated, patient-centred care with multidisciplinary approaches. According to the authors, the EU has a wide range of options for action. On the one hand, financial support for prevention and disease management could be increased through funding programmes such as "Horizon Europe" and "EU4Health". On the other, the Member States could also be supported in their structural prevention policy. The EU has the legal instruments for this, for example for taxation, advertising and even bans. 


In the discussion on the study, the members of the SANT emphasised that the large number of determinants calls for a comprehensive approach. There is still considerable potential for action, particularly in the area of nutrition, to combat childhood obesity, in particular.