World Obesity Day 2026: 8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity
Published in Healthcare & Nursing, Sustainability, and General & Internal Medicine
By 2035, half of the world’s population, around 4 billion people, are expected to be living with overweight or obesity. Poverty, stigma, unequal access to education and healthcare, limited availability of healthy food, and environments that do not support healthy living all shape risk and outcomes across the life course.
World Obesity Day 2026 is a call to action for all 8 billion of us. Together, we can change the story of obesity.
Highlights from Springer Nature journals
Mental Health
Research in this category calls attention to the influence of mental health on obesity and vice versa. A systematic review explores the relationship between obesity phenotypes and mental health issues, suggesting that obesity, especially with metabolic issues, is linked to higher risks of mental health problems and lower quality of life. A prospective cohort study analysed data from 219,086 participants from the UK Biobank and found that obese individuals experiencing moderate to high levels of loneliness had a significantly increased risk of developing mental disorders.Together with a qualitative study showing how link workers can help people with severe mental illness overcome challenges to accessing weight management programs, these papers highlight the link between obesity outcomes and mental health.
Support models and interventions
These papers highlight practical, scalable approaches that can make a meaningful difference to obesity levels in populations. Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes have been implemented in various regions to combat obesity and chronic diseases. A recent study focused on Washington State’s 2009 soft drink syrup tax found that it led to a notable decrease in obesity rates, with reductions of 2.2 to 4.0 percentage points relative to a synthetic control group. Another study assessed the effects of a controlled intervention on the nutritional status and ultra-processed food consumption of children with obesity in Brazil. The results indicated a notable decrease in ultra-processed food intake among participants in the intervention group, underscoring the potential of structured dietary interventions. Collectively, they show the value of implementing interventions aimed at improving health outcomes.
Explore more research articles and books here.
Open collections calling for submissions
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School-based Interventions to Prevent Childhood Overweight and Obesity This collection aims to to inform educators, policymakers, and health professionals about evidence-based practices that can be integrated into school curricula and environments to promote healthier lifestyles among students.
- Impact of ultra-processed foods on nutritional quality This collection aims to highlight robust research to inform dietary guidelines and public health interventions aimed at improving nutrition and health outcomes.
Collections to read again
ISRCTN The UK's Clinical Study Registry
These studies explore innovative approaches designed to reduce obesity levels, from testing whether AI-powered personalised dietary advice is better than a general dietary advice at improving the health and dietary habits of individuals at higher risk of non-communicable diseases (ISRCTN12293803) to exploring what happens when supermarkets voluntarily restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods (ISRCTN23476580). Together, these studies highlight practical, evidence‑informed tools and strategies being developed to better support people living with obesity and to help prevent obesity in the first place by creating healthier food environments and more personalised, sustainable dietary guidance.
Springer Nature Research Communities
This Behind the Paper post outlines a study by Raubenheimer et al. in BMC Global and Public Health which analysed global interest in semaglutide for non-diabetic weight loss, revealing significant search trends from January 2021 to August 2023 across 27 countries, with notable peaks linked to media events.
Conclusion
If you want to get involved in World Obesity Day this year, you can visit the official website for tools and guidance to help you care for yourself every day, not just on WOD.
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BMC Global and Public Health
An open access, transparent peer review journal publishing outstanding and influential research and opinion of broad interest to all professional communities involved in global and public health research, policy-making, implementation and delivery worldwide.
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BMC Primary Care
Previously known as BMC Family Practice, this is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of primary health care research.
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BMC Nutrition
BMC Nutrition is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of nutritional sciences.
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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal offering rapid publication and wide diffusion in the public domain of high-quality articles in the field of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL).
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Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
This journal brings together research on all aspects of issues related to population, nutrition, and health. The journal publishes articles across a broad range of topics including global health, maternal and child health, nutrition, common illnesses, and determinants of population health.
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Population Health Metrics
Population Health Metrics aims to advance the science of population health assessment, and welcomes papers relating to concepts, methods, ethics, applications, and summary measures of population health.
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Health Economics Review
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Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
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Agriculture & Food Security
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Communication in primary care
BMC Primary Care is calling for submissions to our Collection Communication in primary care. Effective communication in primary care is crucial for fostering strong patient-doctor relationships and enhancing health outcomes. This Collection aims to explore the various dimensions of communication within primary care settings, including patient-doctor interactions, the role of health literacy, and the dynamics of shared decision-making. By investigating these elements, we can better understand how communication influences patient experiences, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment plans.
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In this Collection, we welcome submissions that cover a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
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All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
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BMC Primary Care is calling for submissions to our Collection, Indigenous health and well-being. Historically, Indigenous communities have faced significant health disparities driven by systemic inequalities, cultural disconnection, and barriers to accessing healthcare. This Collection seeks to address these issues by gathering research that highlights the unique health challenges faced by Indigenous peoples, including chronic diseases, mental health issues, and the impact of social determinants on health outcomes. By amplifying Indigenous voices and perspectives, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of their health needs and aspirations.
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In this Collection, we welcome submissions that span a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:
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This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Aug 05, 2026
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