World Obesity Day
World Obesity Day is a unified day of action that calls for a cohesive, cross-sector response to the obesity crisis. It takes place on 4 March and is convened by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in collaboration with its global members.
Each year we run a campaign based on a specific theme. Although World Obesity Day is a point in time, our work continues throughout the year – recognising that different organisations and parts of the world focus their efforts at differing times.
We aim to increase awareness, encourage advocacy, improve policies, and share experiences.
Since 2015, World Obesity Days have encouraged people to recognise the root causes of obesity, increase knowledge of the disease, tackle weight stigma, foreground the voices of people with lived experience and act to improve the world’s understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity.
Hundreds of individuals, organisations and alliances contribute to World Obesity Day every year, engaging hundreds of thousands of people across the world.
World Obesity Day 2025
The theme for World Obesity Day 2025 was: ‘Changing systems, healthier lives’.
Our goal was to shift the focus from individuals to the systems shaping our health - from healthcare and government to food systems, media and the environments we live and work in. By centring these systems, and amplifying the voices of people living with obesity, we called for collective responsibility and meaningful change.
Through global action and shared advocacy, we reinforced the recognition of obesity as a complex, chronic disease and a key driver of other non-communicable diseases. Because when we change the systems that are failing us, we can reduce the burden of obesity and create healthier lives for all.
World Obesity Day 2025
World Obesity Day 2024
The theme for World Obesity Day 2024 was: ‘Let's talk about Obesity and…’
Our goal was to spark cross-cutting conversations that reflect the true complexity of obesity – recognising how it intersects with health, youth and our world. By shifting the conversation from obesity in isolation to obesity as part of wider systems, we aimed to encourage shared responsibility and collective action.
Through stories, events and global dialogue, communities came together to explore how obesity both impacts, and is impacted by, the world around us. Because when we connect the dots, share knowledge and work across sectors, we can build healthier environments and create lasting change for all.
World Obesity Day 2024
World Obesity Day 2023
The theme for World Obesity Day 2023 was: ‘Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Obesity'.
Our goal is to change perspectives: to correct misconceptions, end stigmas and get everybody making the decision to shift from single views to shared strategies.
With important conversations and real stories, we can help people acknowledge obesity's complexities and take effective action. Because when we talk, debate and share, we can shift norms and transform health outcomes.
World Obesity Day 2023
World Obesity Day 2022
The theme for World Obesity Day 2022 was: ‘Everybody Needs to Act’.
Our goal was to move beyond awareness and turn growing global concern about obesity into meaningful action. With rates continuing to rise worldwide, and no country on track to meet global targets, the need for urgent, coordinated responses had never been clearer.
Through collective effort across countries, sectors and communities, the global obesity community came together to call for policy change, stronger health systems and sustained action at every level. Because addressing obesity requires commitment from all of us - and now, more than ever, everybody needs to act.
World Obesity Day 2022
World Obesity Day 2021
The theme for World Obesity Day 2021 was: ‘Every body needs everybody’.
Our goal was to highlight how health is shaped by factors far beyond individual control, a reality brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. As evidence emerged showing the strong links between obesity and severe COVID-19 outcomes, the need for collective, coordinated action became impossible to ignore.
Through global collaboration, shared stories and cross-sector engagement, the obesity community came together to call for greater understanding, stronger policies and inclusive support for people living with obesity. Because tackling obesity requires breaking down barriers and working together - and in the end, every body truly does need everybody.
World Obesity Day 2021
World Obesity Day 2020
We launched a new World Obesity Day on March 4, 2020, to call for a global response to this critical challenge.
Obesity is now a global crisis that affects 650 million people worldwide, but is poorly understood. The complexity of the disease, the challenge of developing sustainable solutions and the burden of stigma means we need to work together to address the challenge. The most recent World Obesity Day included included global recognition as well as regional and national campaigns and local activities and events. Organisations from across the world acknowledged and celebrated our efforts on 4 March 2020.
Together, we can change the narrative around obesity.
World Obesity Day 2018
For #WorldObesityDay 2018 we focused on raising awareness about the prevalence, severity and diversity of weight stigma. Stigma occurs in a wide variety of settings and the media has been identified as one of the main perpetrators. Current media portrayals of obesity reinforce inaccurate and negative stereotypes about weight which can lead to weight stigma.
We are calling on all media outlets to end their use of stigmatising language and imagery and instead portray obesity in a fair, accurate and informative manner.
Find out more about this topic by clicking the link below.
What is stigma?
World Obesity Day 2017
For #WorldObesityDay 2017 we called on all governments, health service providers, insurers and philanthropic organisations to prioritise investment in tackling obesity. Investing in obesity treatment services, early intervention and prevention.
WOD 2017
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.
WOD 2016
World Obesity Day
For more information visit our dedicated site for World Obesity Day by clicking the link below.