Portugal Faces Urgent Call for National Obesity Strategy

On World Obesity Day, March 4th, 2026, leading medical societies and the Portuguese Association of People Living with Obesity (ADEXO) launched the “Manifesto for Urgent Action on Obesity,” responding to a challenge from the World Obesity Federation. The coalition is demanding a more robust and integrated national strategy to combat the chronic disease, which affects nearly one-third of the adult population in Portugal, according to the Directorate-General of Health.

Growing Concerns Over Obesity’s Impact

The manifesto, signed by the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (SPEDM), the Portuguese Society for the Study of Obesity (SPEO), the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF), the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (SPMI), and the Portuguese Society of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Surgery (SPCO), emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach. This includes uniting efforts and promoting cross-sectoral policies based on scientific evidence to ensure effective prevention, early diagnosis, and accessible treatment.

Obesity: A Complex and Multifaceted Disease

“Obesity is a chronic, complex, and multifactorial disease with a significant impact on metabolic, mechanical, and mental health,” states Paula Freitas, president of SPEDM. “As a scientific society, we have a responsibility to drive a clinical response based on evidence.”

Addressing Inequality in Treatment Access

José Silva Nunes, president of SPEO, highlighted the impact of obesity in Portugal, not only in terms of health but similarly the financial burden on the National Health Service (SNS). He emphasized that the pandemic-like prevalence of the disease results in a significant financial impact, making it a serious public health problem. Obesity is a risk factor for over 200 health complications, including 13 types of cancer.

Call for Patient-Centered Strategy and Reduced Stigma

The manifesto advocates for a patient-centered national strategy that translates existing recommendations into concrete actions, guaranteeing a “real improvement” in the treatment of individuals with obesity. It also stresses the importance of combating the stigma and discrimination associated with the condition.

“Unfortunately, people with obesity are still the target of stigma and discrimination,” impacting their personal and professional development. They are often overlooked in favor of others with the same performance and capabilities due to prejudice suggesting they are less capable.

Challenging Misconceptions About Obesity

Silva Nunes refuted the common misconception that obesity is simply a matter of willpower, stating, “’Eat less, move more’ – continuing to believe this ignores decades of scientific research.” He clarified that obesity is a neurologically-based disease.

Disparities in Access to Care

The manifesto also points to inequalities in access to treatment, citing regional and social disparities. Pharmaceuticals, considered an “essential pillar” of treatment, are often inaccessible due to their cost and lack of reimbursement. Specialized services are largely concentrated on the coast, leaving the interior of the country with a “very large shortage” of multidisciplinary teams dedicated to obesity treatment. Silva Nunes lamented that access to treatment should not depend on place of birth or residence.

Need for Primary Care Integration

Paula Freitas reinforced the need for obesity consultations in primary healthcare, noting that with approximately 60% of the population experiencing pre-obesity or obesity, primary care physicians need to be prepared to address this complex chronic disease. She emphasized that treatment requires prolonged monitoring, often by a multidisciplinary team including doctors, psychologists, nutritionists, and physiologists, and that access to these consultations is crucial for developing the best treatment plan, potentially including surgery.

Economic Impact of Obesity in Portugal

According to the Directorate-General for Health, more than a quarter of the adult population in Portugal is overweight, and around two million people live with obesity. This disease accounts for approximately 10% of total health expenditure and 3% of the country’s GDP.