Baku:Child and adolescent obesity has dramatically increased since 1990, quadrupling from two percent to around eight percent among individuals aged five to 19. In 2024, approximately 170 million young people were affected by obesity, including 70 million children aged five to nine and 100 million adolescents up to 19.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease caused by excessive fat deposits, which can be managed with effective care. Children and adolescents with obesity face medical and social challenges early in life, with increased risks of noncommunicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They may also experience stigma, discrimination, and bullying, negatively impacting their mental health.
The WHO’s new guidelines strongly advocate for dietary changes, physical activity, and other behavioral interventions. They do not recommend pharmacological treatments, bariatric surgery, or weight-loss devices for children aged 0-9 years. For adolescents aged 10-19 years, treatment with approved medicines, such as GLP-1 therapies, should only be considered if a supervised lifestyle program fails. Bariatric surgery may be an option under strict conditions for those with severe obesity.
Dr. Luz María De Regil, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, emphasized that the core of obesity care for young people is not medicine or surgery but comprehensive support for healthy eating, physical activity, and sustainable behavior change. The guidelines also highlight the need to address mental health alongside obesity, recognizing it as both a cause and consequence of the disease.
WHO stresses that obesity care should extend beyond weight loss to improve overall health, functionality, and well-being, tailored to each child’s specific needs with long-term follow-up. The organization acknowledges that treatment alone cannot reverse the obesity trend, calling for systemic changes to make healthy diets and physical activity more accessible and affordable through regulatory, fiscal measures, and action across various sectors.
Dr. De Regil stated that the priority is to ensure every child and adolescent has access to quality care and supportive environments from an early age, promoting healthy weight maintenance and laying the foundation for lifelong health and well-being.