Food Systems Fueling Obesity and Climate Disaster

International researchers have linked global food systems to a dual crisis of rising obesity rates and accelerating climate change. The current food system, driven by profit, heavily promotes ultra-processed, high-calorie, low-fiber products. This transformation over the past four decades is now considered the primary driver of the obesity epidemic. Addressing these unsustainable food systems is urgent, offering benefits for both human health and the environment.

While individual interventions like weight-loss drugs or surgery exist, they do not tackle the widespread environmental factors contributing to obesity. Furthermore, concerns about the long-term affordability, safety, and global accessibility of these treatments are rising, especially as obesity affects younger and lower-income populations. Researchers advocate for policy changes including subsidies for healthy foods, taxes on unhealthy options, and restrictions on marketing aggressive tactics.