According to the Argentine Society of Nutrition, it is vital to recognize that people are complete individuals with unique identities, values, and abilities, beyond their conditions or circumstances. In this sense, it is crucial to understand that obesity is a health issue that should not be stigmatized or considered a choice or an aesthetic matter.
Addressing obesity requires a medical and multidisciplinary approach, even if no evident clinical consequences have manifested. To ensure equitable access to health, it is necessary to update legislation to prioritize comprehensive care for people with obesity and promote healthy eating, especially in vulnerable communities.
Furthermore, educating from childhood about healthy habits, fostering the training of health professionals in obesity without prejudice, reviewing the representation of this issue in the media, and raising awareness about obesity as a collective challenge are fundamental actions to address this problem.
Ana María Cappelletti, coordinator of the Obesity Work Group of the Argentine Society of Nutrition, emphasized the importance of considering obesity as a multifactorial phenomenon and promoting a respectful, stigma-free approach. On the occasion of World Obesity Day, she urged collaboration to design solutions that guarantee the right to health and promote more realistic and respectful communication.
Additionally, Dr. Cappelletti highlighted the need to eradicate the stigma associated with obesity, prioritize holistic health beyond weight, and change how this issue is addressed in society to build a healthier and more inclusive community. Science has shown that genetic, metabolic, environmental, and social factors influence the development of obesity, making it essential to change the narrative and address this issue with respect.
