Obesity: What Happened in 2025

December 30, 2025

2025 saw the release of striking figures about the obesity pandemin, and the arrival of new treatments. BNP Paribas Cardif’s Obesity Prevention Programme has also grown and reached new audiences. Here is a look at the key moments by theme. 

Statistics

The most striking statistic of the year was undoubtedly that revealed by UNICEF in September: for the first time, obesity exceeds underweight among  children and adolescents aged 5 to 19. These figures underline the dual challenge of malnutrition, in a report damning the influence of the agri-food industry. 

Research

In December, WHO shared its first recommendations for the use of molecules based on GLP-1, one of several satiety hormones. While therapies using these drugs (such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, etc.) are recommended to fight obesity in adults (excluding pregnant women), WHO stresses the importance of prevention and screening.

As the issue of access to medicines is paramount, WHO also calls on major pharmaceutical companies to expand their availability to avoid geographical inequalities.

While clinical trials of new molecules suggest interesting results, other studies make it possible to consider avenues of treatment and prevention that do not depend on a drug solution, including microbiota analysis.

Obesity prevention program

  • WHO has recognized the program as aligned with its plan to accelerate the fight against obesity. 
  • Launched at the beginning of the year, the MY FOOD MY FUTURE platform is now available in seven languages, and its distribution network has grown thanks to the strength of our distribution partners.
  • In Portugal, the programme has a new partner, APCOI, an NGO founded in 2010 that works to support families in the prevention against childhood obesity.
  • Also available in six languages, the educational game “The 7 Famillies to Bite into” is a fun tool designed by the program team, distributed for and by partners and also available for purchase by employees at the CSE in Nanterre! 

Worldwide   

  • The Caribbean and Latin America are areas particularly affected by obesity, with more than 67% of adults and 37% of children and adolescents affected. In March, nine countries in the region put in place a plan to accelerate the fight against obesity, in collaboration with the WHO.