New position statement highlights the role of physical activity in obesity prevention and care

On World Physical Activity Day (6 April), the World Obesity Federation has published a new position statement in Obesity Reviews, outlining the critical role of physical activity in both preventing and managing obesity, and calling for stronger action to address the systemic barriers that limit people’s ability to be active.

The paper, “The Role of Physical Activity in the Prevention and Management of Obesity”, brings together the latest evidence and global guidance to highlight how physical activity supports health across the life course - and why it must be embedded within broader systems of care.

Moving beyond individual responsibility

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease shaped by biological, environmental and societal factors. While physical activity plays an essential role in improving health outcomes, the paper emphasises that individual behaviour change alone is not enough.

Access to safe environments, supportive policies, and inclusive opportunities for movement are critical to enabling people to be active. Without these, progress will remain limited and uneven.

A systems-based approach to increasing activity

The World Obesity Federation is calling on governments and policymakers to take a whole-of-society approach to increasing physical activity.

This includes:

• Designing safer, more accessible environments for movement
• Embedding physical activity into health systems and primary care
• Investing in inclusive programmes that reach all populations
• Addressing inequalities that limit access to opportunities for movement

The paper also highlights the links between physical inactivity, obesity and climate change, pointing to the potential for policies such as active transport and urban design to deliver benefits for both human and planetary health.

A critical moment for action

With global levels of physical inactivity rising and targets unlikely to be met without stronger action, the publication comes at a pivotal moment.

As attention grows around new obesity treatments, including GLP-1 therapies, the paper reinforces that physical activity must remain central to comprehensive, person-centred care.