Obesity Response Index highlights gaps in tackling obesity
Economist Impact research reveals that most nations fall short in turning obesity policy into action, despite the growing problem
New research from Economist Impact, supported by Eli Lilly, has cast a spotlight on how ill-prepared many countries remain in confronting obesity.
A leading cause of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, obesity is projected to drain €3.5 trillion from the global economy each year by 2035.
Along with Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly is the leading maker of GLP-1 medicines for diabetes and weight loss. Despite Europe’s growing obesity problem reimbursement for obesity medications is almost non-existent, according to a survey by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) cited by EFPIA in their recent blueprint for action to address obesity.
Launched at the World Health Summit, the Obesity Response Index measures how 20 of the most affected nations are tackling the issue. On average, countries scored just 55.6 out of 100 - according to the Index.
“As obesity rates climb, the countries hit hardest remain dangerously underprepared and without the robust prevention and treatment strategies needed to turn the tide,” said Dr. David B. Sarwer, Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University. “Obesity is not just an individual health issue but a mounting societal and economic crisis.”
According to the Index, Serbia, France, and Brazil lead the way in pairing policy with investment, coordinated clinical care, and the inclusion of people living with obesity in decision-making. Meanwhile, countries such as Rwanda, India, and Nigeria lag behind due to weak coordination, limited access, and low political commitment. Even in wealthier nations, care is inconsistent—only the UK provides all four evidence-based obesity interventions, including behavioural therapy and surgery.
The report highlights critical gaps in food and physical activity policies. Only a handful of countries enforce strict limits on junk food marketing to children, and few promote active travel or reduce car dependency. With stigma and discrimination still unaddressed in most national strategies, the research warns that obesity remains not just a medical issue but a societal one.