CHANGING SYSTEMS, HEALTHIER LIVES
On World Obesity Day (WOD), celebrated annually on 4 March, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) highlights the urgent need to create healthier food environments as a key strategy in obesity prevention and management.
Obesity is among the fastest-growing public health crises of our time, affecting nearly one billion people worldwide. Since 1990, global obesity rates have more than doubled, and projections indicate that by 2035, this number will rise to 1.9 billion. Even more concerning, childhood obesity is expected to double within the same period. Addressing this crisis requires systemic change, including improvements to the food environments where we live, work, and eat.
As part of this year’s World Obesity Day campaign, the ISA has updated its infographic on ‘Low/no calorie sweeteners in calorie reduction and weight control‘ and published an article on Euractiv on ‘Healthier food environments for obesity prevention and management’.
Low/no calorie sweeteners can help reduce daily calorie intake and support weight management when used as a substitute for sugar as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. While they are not a standalone solution for weight loss, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) report a modest but significant weight loss benefit in adults who replace sugar with low/no calorie sweeteners. Moreover, long-term clinical studies indicate that using low/no calorie sweeteners can aid in maintaining and managing weight over time.
Engage in the conversation about World Obesity Day 2025 using #WorldObesityDay, #ChangingSystems, and #ISA4WOD.
