The world has moved from being flat out mistaken about obesity to persistent global confusion about it. This picture emerges from an impressive research project by the survey research firm known as Ipsos.

14,500 People
Across 14 Countries

Recognizing the importance of World Obesity Day, Ipsos fielded a global survey of 14,500 people in 14 countries. Researchers collected and compared survey data from people who live with obesity and a comparison group of people who do not have it. They also tapped into a proprietary AI tool to analyze content from social media about the subject. Their point was to move beyond statistics and understand the human experience of living with obesity.

Nascent Insight

What they found were some signals that insight into the biological nature of this condition is starting to penetrate into public consciousness. For example, 71% of people agree obesity is a medical condition that requires ongoing management. That number was as high as 82% in Brazil and as low as 55% in Romania. But the point is that most people get it.

Or do they? Because at the same time they tell us it’s a medical condition, the people living with the condition say it’s really just a behavioral problem. Among people with obesity, 86% say they did it to themselves – “it’s preventable through personal choices.”

In their report, Ipsos points out that this confusion seems to come from a systemic failure. In fact, 82% of people living with obesity who have seen or spoken to a doctor about their weight reported receiving lifestyle-focused recommendations that reinforce an outdated narrative of obesity being a matter of personal discipline.

A Substantial Burden

Digging into the human experience of living with obesity, Ipsos finds a substantial burden. More than a third (36%) frequently feel anxious about how others see them. More than 40% feel anxious about their current health and wellbeing. Almost half (48%) worry about future health problems.

This becomes a burden in the everyday lives of people with obesity. Roughly 70% have avoided social, leisure, or romantic activities in the past year due to their weight. It is even more common for females, younger adults (18–45ys), and employed persons.

Misdirected Efforts

The bottom line here is one of encouragement and opportunity. People know obesity is a problem and they are starting to understand its true nature. Obesity has its roots in our biology and in the environment that triggers it. Since the understanding is incomplete, much effort to deal with it winds up being misdirected. People keep hearing that if only they would eat better and move more, their problems with obesity would come to an end.

Healthy eating and active living can help everyone. But without adequate medical care for this medical condition, we will be fighting a losing battle.

We have better tools for dealing with this. Understanding of the condition is growing. The opportunity to help everyone deal with it is right in front of us. We can do this.

Click here for the full details of this research from Ipsos.

Flower Myth (Blumenmythos), painting by Paul Klee / Wikimedia Commons