World Obesity Day takes place annually on 4 March. It is organised by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit body which is in official relations with the World Health Organisation and is a collaborating body on the Lancet Commission on Obesity. The mission of World Obesity Day is to increase awareness of obesity as a disease, advocate for societal change, improve policies to build healthier environments, and share experiences of individuals with obesity.
The 2021 campaign theme is ‘Every Body Needs Everybody.’
Pain and obesity are frequently co-morbid. The prevalence of pain is estimated at 33% in individuals with obesity, while obesity is also more common in individuals with chronic pain. This includes individuals with widespread pain, back pain, headaches, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and neuropathic pain. The bidirectional relationship between obesity and pain may be influenced by mechanical (e.g. distribution of excess weight), behavioural (e.g. poor sleep and low levels of physical activity), physiological (presence of proinflammatory markers), psychological (e.g. depression, stress, anxiety), genetic, and metabolic factors.
The European Pain Federation EFIC supports any program that contributes to a healthier lifestyle, especially in regards to physical activity. To help patients with pain get active, check out The European Pain Federation’s On the Move campaign for tips and resources (available in 11 languages!).
Given comorbidities like obesity are becoming more common in patients with pain, The EFIC 2022 Congress will focus on Pain and its Comorbidities in the Digital Age. For more information about the 2022 Congress, please visit https://efic-congress.org
To access detailed information about obesity, please visit the World Obesity Day website at https://www.worldobesityday.org
