WFSGI supports statement on obesity
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has joined forces with health and fitness organisations from various parts of the world to raise awareness of the need for physical activity and good nutrition to work alongside obesity medication.
WFSGI was one of the co-signatories of a statement from the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to reducing, preventing and treating global obesity.
There are nearly three billion adults worldwide who are overweight or living with obesity, according to the World Obesity Federation. The London-based organisation said this figure is projected to rise to four billion by 2035.
In the statement, it said that while obesity medication represent “a significant clinical advancement”, they must be used as part of “comprehensive, integrated care models that prioritise long-term health outcomes”.
It warned that reliance on medication alone may lead to poor long-term outcomes, including loss of muscle mass, diminished functional capacity and widening health inequalities if access to supportive services is limited.
Instead, the statement called for a wrap-around approach that combines pharmacological treatment with sustained investment in physical activity, nutrition and supportive environments.
Commenting on this, the chief executive of WFSGI, Emma Zwiebler, said: “Growing sport, physical activity and movement is a strategic priority for our members, who are committed to empowering people be physically active and enjoy the health benefits that brings. We are ready to play our part in improving long-term health outcomes.”
