In anticipation of the upcoming G7 Health Ministers’, we at Competere, along with the Center for the Study and Research on Obesity (CSRO), have submitted a detailed policy proposal to the respective Health Ministers of the G7 nations. These latest initiatives build upon the earlier recommendations presented ahead of the G7 summit in Italy earlier this year, refining our approach to addressing the growing global health crisis.

Our aim is to advocate for the urgent prioritization of effective strategies to address the global obesity and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) crisis, which continues to exert a profound toll on public health systems. This initiative stems from the critical need to reform current public health approaches, which have thus far failed to curb the growing obesity epidemic, and to advance concrete, actionable solutions that can meaningfully address this overlooked syndemic.

You may download the full letter here or read a brief summary below:

Obesity is a major driver of premature mortality, posing a grave threat to public health systems, national economies, and individual well-being. Over 1 billion people globally suffer from obesity, with particularly severe impacts on women, children, and vulnerable populations in regions such as Asia and Africa. The economic cost is staggering, with the global burden of obesity projected to reach $4.32 trillion by 2035—almost 3% of the world’s GDP, a figure comparable to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without swift and effective action, humanity faces the real prospect of a reduction in life expectancy due to widespread weight gain and malnutrition.

Unfortunately, current policy responses have been inadequate. Initiatives such as nutrient-based taxes and front-of-pack labeling have often failed, driven more by political or commercial motives than by a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of obesity. These superficial measures neglect the complexity of the obesity crisis, which stems from a combination of lifestyle factors, psychosocial conditions, and individual circumstances—only a small percentage of which are genetically determined. As a result, these policies have often had unintended negative consequences, infringing on personal freedoms and failing to generate meaningful change.

To combat obesity effectively, a multidisciplinary and personalized approach is essential, beginning in childhood. Governments must implement compulsory physical, motor, and nutritional education programs that foster lifelong healthy habits and an understanding of the relationship between mind, body, and environment. At the same time, advancements in science and technology provide new opportunities for more personalized interventions. By moving away from ineffective, one-size-fits-all models, we can better empower individuals to make informed lifestyle choices tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

We propose several key policy actions, including the recognition of obesity as a disease requiring comprehensive healthcare services, the promotion of balanced diets such as the Mediterranean diet, and the creation of obesity care centers offering holistic, patient-centered treatments. Moreover, governments must prioritize urban design that encourages active lifestyles, combat obesogenic environments, and ensure responsible media reporting on nutrition and public health.

We believe these proposals represent a more innovative and effective approach than current policies, and we urge the G7 to establish a dedicated working group on NCDs and obesity to tackle these pressing challenges head-on.