Obesity :
The Silent Epidemic Affecting Millions
Obesity isn't just about weight—it’s a global health crisis linked to diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. With over 1 billion people affected worldwide (WHO, 2024), it’s time to shift fromtreatment to prevention, education, and smarter interventions.
Can we reverse this trend? Yes, but it requires personalized care, technology-driven insights, and continuous support.
Obesity refers to BMI > 30 kg/m2
Age standardised estimates for women aged 20 years or older
Source: 2024 NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, Image retreived for illustrative purposes only.
Obesity’s Global Grip: Uncovering the Root Causes
Obesity is a complex global health crisis fuelled by multiple interconnected factors. It is not simply a result of personal choices but a consequence of societal, economic, and environmental influences that create an "obesogenic" world.
The Alarming Rise: Obesity in Numbers
Obesity is a growing global crisis, with increasing rates affecting both developed and developing nations. The economic and health impacts are staggering, requiring urgent attention.
By 2035, more than 51% of global population
is projected to be overweight or obese. One in four people will be living with obesity, a sharp rise from the current one in seven (World Obesity Federation, 2024).
>$4.32 trillion
The financial burden of obesity is expected to surpass $4.32 trillion annually by 2035, nearly 3% of the global GDP—comparable to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (World Obesity Federation, 2024).
US Trends
In the United States, 41.9% of adults have obesity, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The healthcare cost per adult with obesity is, on average, $1,861 higher than for those with a healthy weight, contributing to an estimated $173 billion in additional annual healthcare expenses (CDC, 2024).
Childhood Obesity
The rates of obesity in children are climbing fast, with 208 million boys and 175 million girls expected to be affected globally by 2035, more than double the numbers recorded in 2020 (World Obesity Federation, 2024).
What’s Holding Us Back? Barriers to Obesity Prevention
Limited Access to Comprehensive Care
Many healthcare systems fail to recognize obesity as a disease, leading to inadequate resources for prevention and treatment. Lack of insurance coverage for weight management programs, behavioural therapy, and medications makes it difficult for individuals to receive proper care.
Fragmented Healthcare Approach
Obesity often falls between primary care, endocrinology, and nutrition specialists, making coordinated treatment difficult. Many patients lack proper referrals and continuity of care, leading to inconsistent treatment and higher dropout rates.
Social & Cultural Stigma
Weight bias in healthcare settings discourages individuals from seeking medical help. Societal perceptions of obesity as a "lifestyle choice" rather than a chronic condition lead to blame and discrimination, further deterring effective intervention.
Economic & Policy Barriers
Many countries lack strong policies for obesity prevention, including regulations on food marketing, sugar taxes, and workplace wellness initiatives.
Behavioural & Psychological Factors
Obesity is deeply linked to behavioural habits, emotional eating, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Many individuals require long-term psychological support to sustain weight loss, yet access to such services is often limited.
Environmental & Societal Influences
Urban environments with limited access to parks, walkable areas, and affordable healthy food options contribute to rising obesity rates. Fast food consumption, high-calorie diets, and sedentary lifestyles further drive the crisis.
Can we overcome this?
To overcome these challenges, a multi-disciplinary, technology-driven approach is needed, integrating obesity care into healthcare systems, reducing stigma, and ensuring affordable, accessible interventions for all.
How Health Jeanie is redefining Obesity Care
Traditional weight management approaches often fail because they lack personalization and continuous support. Jeanie goes beyond traditional weight management – leveraging AI to provide personalized, proactive, and holistic obesity care that adapts to each patient’s needs.
Predict & Prevent
AI-driven risk assessments identify obesity-related health risks early, ensuring timely intervention.
Smart Nutrition Tracking
Snap a picture of your meal, and Health Jeanie analyses macronutrients to help you make healthier choices. Tailored meal, fitness, and weight-loss strategies based on individual health profiles.
Personalized Action Plans
Tailored diet, activity, and weight management plans based on real-time health data.
Seamless Care Coordination
Connects patients with care teams, nutritionists, and behavioural specialists for integrated support.
Behavioural Coaching & Support
Continuous motivation through AI-driven coaching to reinforce sustainable lifestyle changes. AI-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps address emotional eating and stress triggers.
24/7 Guidance & Smart Alerts
Daily check-ins track progress, medication adherence, and risk factors. Health Jeanie connects patients with nutritionists, trainers, and healthcare providers for a holistic approach.
Key Trends in Obesity Prevention & Management
Tackling obesity with evolving with science, technology, and policy changes.
01
Food as Medicine Initiatives
Programs like the Food Is Medicine initiative integrate nutrition into healthcare by expanding access to fresh, healthy food as part of treatment plans (CDC).
02
Technology-Driven Lifestyle Interventions
AI-powered tools and wearable tech help track diet, exercise, and metabolic markers, enabling personalized obesity management (World Obesity Federation).
03
Urban Planning for Active Lifestyles
Cities are designing pedestrian-friendly spaces, improving bike routes, and increasing access to recreational areas to promote physical activity (CDC).
04
Policy-Based Preventative Strategies
Governments are enforcing sugar taxes, front-of-package food labelling, and limiting junk food marketing to curb rising obesity rates (World Obesity Federation).
05
Healthcare Integration & Holistic Care Models
New ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for obesity improve classification and personalized treatment, ensuring better management at the primary care level (CDC).
06
Early Childhood Obesity Prevention
Programs targeting schools and daycare centres encourage breastfeeding support, improved nutrition education, and structured physical activity for children (CDC).
