Introduction to the survey
Early on in the pandemic, it became apparent that people with obesity were more likely to experience complications and death due to COVID-19, and at younger ages. COVID-19 has also shown that a societal, worldwide response to a disease is possible. The pandemic has exposed the imperative to address other global challenges such as obesity. The evolving evidence therefore provides a new urgency – and inspiration – for political and collective action.
One year since the start of the pandemic, we will collect further information and build a global picture of what has changed at a national level, both in terms of the effects that COVID-19 has had on obesity services and people living with obesity, as well as in how governments have responded to the evidence that obesity increases the likelihood of worse outcomes in the case of illness from COVID-19. Furthermore, we would like to identify some of the lessons learned to better support national governments’ recovery from COVID-19 as well as to prepare for future health challenges.
One year since the start of the pandemic, we will collect further information and build a global picture of what has changed at a national level, both in terms of the effects that COVID-19 has had on obesity services and people living with obesity, as well as in how governments have responded to the evidence that obesity increases the likelihood of worse outcomes in the case of illness from COVID-19. Furthermore, we would like to identify some of the lessons learned to better support national governments’ recovery from COVID-19 as well as to prepare for future health challenges.