In 2015, the World Obesity Federation established World Obesity Day as an annual campaign to help stimulate and support actions that would help people maintain a healthy weight and fix the global obesity crisis. Originally scheduled for October 11, the day was moved to March 4 in 2020
Every year, the federation runs the campaign with a specific theme, and this year they focused on “Everybody Needs To Act” as a call to action for people around the world to come together to help solve the obesity crisis.
To help celebrate this important day, we asked you, our wonderful community, a question: What is your greatest HOPE for the treatment of obesity?
It was a question that made the reader look deep inside themselves for an honest answer. Because on the surface, hope can be reduced to wishful thinking, or dreams, or simply positive thoughts.
But hope can be much more than that. Hope is versatile. Hope shouldn’t be a dainty soap bubble that floats lazily through the air and then disappears into thin air once popped. Hope should have a strong foundation underneath it so that those hopes can turn into something real. Something tangible that gives us strength.
And that is what makes the responses we got from you all so powerful.
There’s nothing wrong with hoping to lose some weight, but you can feel the strength and power behind the hope that so many of you have. We recognize it because we have it too: A hope for a better future for people living with obesity, fueled by a burning desire to take action and make it happen.
And while you may have seen us posting several of the responses online in the days leading up to World Obesity Day, we wanted to share some more with all of you here.
What is your greatest HOPE for the treatment of obesity?
“My greatest hope for the treatment of Obesity is that doctors, health practitioners and people who don’t suffer from obesity come to realize that obesity is not a result of character defects, laziness or lack of willpower but a symptom of a crappy set of genes and a brain in addiction.”
“That everyone feels welcome and safe to seek and pursue ethical, evidence-based and empathetic care for obesity management and increased well being. That what we are doing makes a difference in the lives of everyone impacted by obesity.”
“Fat shaming is considered bullying- therefore will have more attention given to it- as it leaves the same scars- a never forget feeling that never disappears from memory.”
“My greatest hope for the treatment of obesity is that it’s delivered without cost (or at least strongly subsidized / covered) for all who need it, without stigma, by a team of empathetic professionals, in a timely manner so we can avoid negative impact to the obese individuals. I hope for increased societal awareness that obesity is a disease and should be treated as such. I hope that obesity research continues so that we can reach all the individual humans who want or need treatment.”
If your hopes are like ours and you are not yet a part of this wonderful community, we invite you to join to help us fight for real change and end stigma. Whether it be through a corporate partnership, a volunteer opportunity or by simply following us on social media, join us now and become a valued member of our passionate base of like-minded people looking to do some good in the world.
If you are already a part of our community, make sure to follow us on social media, events and happenings here at Obesity Matters.
