2026 news: first quarter overview

While the three first months of 2026 have included World Obesity Day and World Health Day, the latest releases involving research and new information on obesity highlight the constant evolution of statistics, as well as the progression of a potential drug-related solutions. 

We are all concerned

The key message of World Obesity Day 2026, held on March 4, was the potential scope of the pandemic: 8 billion reasons to act against obesity. 8 billion is the current population of our planet, and we are all concerned by the problem. If 1 billion people are currently obese, more than half of the population, i.e. 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight by 2035. Action is therefore needed now to reverse the trend. The My Food My Future website offers many tips and information to help you learn more and take action today to improve your physical and mental health, as well as that of your family.

The role of genetics

While the role of genetics has already been identified as a key factor in a trend towards obesity, new research continues to identify how hormones, and especially leptin, influence how  our bodies manage appetite, satiety and fat transformation. But genetic predispositions also seem to influence other aspects of the body’s reaction: according to a recent study, the effectiveness of GLP1-type molecules, used to treat obesity, is also subject to genetic variations, even if these remain minimal compared to other factors. 

Sugar tax: a positive effect

In 2016, the United Kingdom introduced a tax on sugary drinks, considered a health risk, especially for children and teenagers. Ten years later, the  British Heart Foundation has noted the success of this tax, which has not only brought in more than £2.2 billion, used principally to set up breakfast clubs in more than 2000 schools throughout the country, offering a balanced meal for students before school. Additional money raised was also invested in physical activity offers for children.

This regulation is also considered to have had a positive impact on the cases of childhood obesity in the country, and other health issues, including dental problems. This success proves the importance of government management of nutritional problems, and the positive effect that this type of legislation can have in the long term. 

Globalization of anti-obesity treatments

While the major industrial groups behind the molecules identified to act against obesity are actively seeking to develop the production and distribution of their products in new markets, including China, other pharmaceutical players are seeking to compete with the market leaders. This is the case in India, where local manufacturers have taken advantage of the expiry of the patent on semaglutide to produce drugs up to 70% cheaper, intended for other potential markets including Latin America.