Obesity has a colossal impact on physical, mental, and social ill health in many parts of the world. Without effective action, expanding waists in ageing populations and the associated health problems will present enormous financial burdens for future generations. The prevalence of obesity is already above the critical threshold of 15% set by the World Health Organization for epidemics needing intervention.1 We cannot withdraw medical support for obese individuals, but we urgently need politically driven public health measures to curb this epidemic.

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