Tackling Obesity Together to create a healthier future for everyone in Europe

The ISA joins forces with the associations of obese patients in France (CNAO) and Portugal (Adexo) in supporting European Obesity Day 2018

Brussels, 17th May 2018: In Europe, it is estimated that over 50% of the people are currently overweight or obese, and that over 20% are obese.1 By 2030 it is estimated that over 50% of the European population will have obesity.2 European Obesity Day, celebrated this year on 19th May, is an opportunity to enhance collective efforts to Tackle Obesity Together, by raising awareness about obesity and the many other diseases on which it impacts. This year the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) joins forces with Collectif National des Associations d’Obèses (CNAO – French association for the obese patients) and Adexo (Association of obese and ex-obese patients in Portugal) in supporting European Obesity Day and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) related-activities.

Obesity is a growing public health challenge worldwide and affects people of every age.3 Common causes of obesity include more sedentary lifestyles, and a combination of lack of physical activity and increased calorie intake.2 On the other hand, obesity and excess body weight have a direct impact on health and life expectancy, and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some cancers and joint and muscle disorders.3 In addition to having direct impact on the individuals’ health, obesity costs the EU €70 billion each year in healthcare cost and productivity.2

To support European Obesity Day on 19th May 2018, the ISA joins forces with CNAO and Adexo in helping raise awareness about obesity and its consequences. On this occasion, the ISA developed in collaboration with CNAO and Adexo an animated video which takes us through the small steps that can be taken towards reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity and their importance in tackling obesity. Watch the video here below or through this link and download the related infographic by clicking here.

How can low calorie sweeteners help?

Obesity can indeed lead to a range of chronic health conditions and affect overall well-being, but it is not invincible. Increased physical activity and small daily changes to the diet can help prevent weight gain.4 Low calorie sweeteners give foods and beverages the pleasure of sweet taste with reduced calorie count.5 A combination of small changes in the diet, such as for example choosing low-calorie foods and beverages, together with more exercise and an increased awareness of calorie content are essential in helping consumers manage their body weight. Replacing sugar-sweetened foods and beverages with those sweetened with low calorie sweeteners can help cut daily calorie intake and thus be a useful dietary tool in weight loss, without feeling deprived of, or increasing the craving for, sweet taste.6 Read more about the role low calorie sweeteners can play in overweight and obesity prevention and management in our dedicated factsheet available by clicking here.

Seize every opportunity to get more active and remember that deprivation is not the answer to obesity. A healthy diet can still have a great taste while providing more nutrients and fewer calories.

Follow the conversation about European Obesity Day 2018 on social media by using #EOD2018 and #ISA4EOD.

  1. WHO –EU Region Data and Statistics on Obesity – Infographic (2013) http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/256295/infographic-people-overweight-obese-Eng.p…
    WHO. Obesity. Data and statistics http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/obesity/data-and-statistics
  2. European Obesity Day 2018. https://www.europeanobesityday.eu
  3. WHO. Obesity and overweight. Fact sheet N°11 (Updated October 2017) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/
  4. Stroebele N, et al. A Small-Changes Approach Reduces Energy Intake in Free-Living Humans. J Am Coll Nutr 2009; 28(1): 63–68
  5. Gibson S, et al. Consensus statement on benefits of low-calorie sweeteners. Nutrition Bulletin. 2014; 39: 386–389.
  6. Rogers PJ. The role of low-calorie sweeteners in the prevention and management of overweight and obesity: evidence v. conjecture. Proc Nutr Soc 2017 Nov 23; 1-9