OBESITY / LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Uniting for the prevention and treatment of obesity: a call for coordinated, multisectoral action on a complex public health challenge
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1
Cancer Epidemiology and Primary Prevention Departament Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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Department and Clinic of Internal Diseases and Gerontocardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
3
Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
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Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
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Department of Treatment of Obesity, Metabolic Disorders and Clinical Dietetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Healthcare Management Institute, Lazarski University, Warsaw, Poland
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Polish Society of Family Medicine; Polish Society for Obesity Treatment, Poland
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Department of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
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Department of General, Vascular and Oncological Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Submission date: 2025-09-24
Acceptance date: 2025-09-25
Online publication date: 2025-09-25
Corresponding author
Paweł Koczkodaj
Cancer Epidemiology
and Primary
Prevention Departament
Maria Sklodowska-Curie
National Research
Institute of Oncology
Warsaw, Poland
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Obesity is a growing public health crisis in Poland, with 56.6% of adults overweight or obese and prevalence projected to reach nearly 26% of women and 30% of men by 2025.
Material and methods
The STOP OBESITY Partnership, established in 2022, united experts, civil society, local governments, and business. We reviewed epidemiological data, health fund reports, and fiscal policy outcomes.
Results
Analyses revealed increasing complications, rising bariatric surgery costs, and misuse of sugar tax revenues, undermining prevention.
Conclusions
Transparent financing and coordinated multisectoral strategies are essential for sustainable, evidence-based obesity prevention and reducing health inequalities.
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