World obesity day, on 4 March 2020, highlights the need to find practical solutions to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, undertake proper treatment, and reverse the obesity crisis.
Obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975 and have increased almost five times in children and adolescents, affecting people of all ages from all social groups in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is a major risk factor for various noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and various forms of cancer.
Dr Charlotte Albury is lead author on the 'Language Matters: Obesity' guideline, which will be published in early spring, detailing how important the language doctors use is when communicating to patients about their weight.
Charlotte has written a blog 'Language matters when talking about weight' where she talks about the development of the guidelines.