New WHO framework available for prevention and management of obesity

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17 May 2023

WHO launches a new Health Service Delivery Framework for Prevention and Management of Obesity, as a health system-focused component of the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity.

The new framework promotes expanded access to obesity prevention and management services for all age groups across the life course. It guides the integration and organization of obesity prevention and management services through the health system and community as critical components of universal health coverage. The framework is based on the principles of primary health care, follows a chronic care approach, and is supported by the integration of obesity prevention and management into existing service delivery frameworks across the health care system, including communities and homes. It also supports the planning of required resources for the scaling up and sustainability of services.

The global burden of obesity constitutes a major public health challenge that undermines social and economic development throughout the world. Current service delivery models that intervene only when obesity-related comorbidities appear must be replaced with models that recognize obesity as a chronic disease and can both take adequate care of those already living with obesity and contribute to the prevention of new or progressing cases.

At the 75th World Health Assembly in 2022, Member States adopted new recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity and endorsed the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity. The plan is designed to stimulate and support multisector country-level action across the globe.

The framework is part of a more comprehensive package to build capacity in health systems for delivering services to prevent and manage obesity, including training for frontline health workers and primary care physicians. The package also includes the WHO Universal Health Coverage compendium and the WHO Academy Course and Advanced Training for health care providers. The framework is also interlinked with additional interventions proposed in the priority package of the WHO Acceleration plan to Stop Obesity.

The framework was developed by the Nutrition and Food Safety Department in collaboration with the Integrated Health Services Department, Clinical Services and Systems Unit and the WHO European Regional Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Disease.