Let’s talk about obesity and binge eating

Discover Stories

When we share our experiences, we shine a light on the failing systems that contribute to obesity—and together, we can drive change.

Obesity is a complex and personal experience, influenced by the systems around us—health, food, government, and more. By sharing your story, you help shift the conversation from individuals to the broader systems that need transformation.

We want to celebrate the inspiring individuals, groups, and organisations leading the call for systemic change. Read their stories below and find inspiration in their efforts to build a healthier future for all.

Do you have a story to tell? We want to hear from you! Submit a story here.

Stories by:

All People Living with Obesity Healthcare Professionals Employers Advocacy Youth

Health Care Professionals

Let’s talk about…your experience of obesity.

I am Dr. Ketan Pakhale, Bariatric & Metabolic Physician, I experienced many of the patients from different professions & each one is having a common issues of weight gain due to sedentary lifestyle, food habits and stressful work patterns. This all requires customized way of treatment & needs to address on a larger scale.

Racherla’s story

I changed my lifestyle, for example, starting the day with a walk for 30 to 40 minutes, being more mobile all day long. I implemented a healthy diet like adding quinoa, more vegetables, healthy snacks including seeds and fruits on at least two occasions daily. I also aimed for healthy sleep patterns. By changing my lifestyle I could reduce my BMI from 28 to 25.

Advocacy

Moving past assumption: Body mass index as an indicator of obesity

We mainly reply on a body mass index (BMI) cut-off point to define overweight and obesity. However, the appropriate BMI cut-off points to define overweight and obesity that are associated with increased mortality risk is controversial.

People living with Obesity

Let’s talk about… how the food we have available to us contributes to obesity.

I changed my life 33 years ago when we moved to another city with 3 children and my mother.

People living with Obesity

Let’s talk about… the importance of healthcare access in addressing obesity: Priti’s Story

OPINION: World Obesity Day imagines acceptance and equity in care Obesity Matters began with a dream: to create an organization that could help bring awareness to obesity and its effects. We wanted to challenge the status quo by showing how obesity can affect all of us, regardless of age or background.

People living with Obesity

Let’s talk about… the stigma that people living with obesity face: Mary’s Story

From the time I was just five years old, I learned to use food to soothe my anxiety, handle my grief, lift my mood, and numb the chronic emotional pain I was experiencing from living in a chaotic, alcoholic home.

People living with Obesity

World Obesity Day - Michelle Petties - Life Events- Watermelon Story

Advocacy

Let’s talk about… bold policies.

For World Obesity Day 2023, The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition which is group of civil society organisations, which has been strongly advocating for World Health Organisation, recommended policies to curb the alarming levels of childhood obesity in Barbados will be congratulating the Ministry of Education in Barbados.

People living with Obesity