Obesity has become one of the most critical public health issues of the 21st century. Its consequences extend far beyond individual health, affecting economic productivity and burdening healthcare systems worldwide. Obesity and its consequences must be recognized and treated in a timely manner. In Croatia, obesity has reached alarming proportions, with more than 60% of adults overweight and almost a quarter of the population living with obesity.

AmCham proposes 5 concrete recommendations aimed at enabling better management of this complex issue, contributing to reducing the prevalence of obesity and improving health outcomes for sick persons in Croatia, and increasing the effectiveness of existing measures. It is crucial to recognize and include the possibilities of therapeutic approach to obesity treatment in strategic documents such as the Action Plan for the Prevention of Obesity. This would achieve a comprehensive strategy for the prevention and treatment of obesity that is in line with European guidelines and the Resolution on Obesity of the Croatian Parliament.

The position paper also proposes the organization of education for primary care physicians with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of recognizing obesity as a disease and the benefits of its timely treatment. Encouraging the development and cooperation of multidisciplinary medical teams in order to achieve more successful long-term results in the treatment of obesity is also recommended. It is necessary to introduce the possibility of financing targeted therapies for the active treatment of obesity, such as pharmacotherapy, and allocate funds for the implementation of the Action Plan. Finally, it is important to include all relevant stakeholders and encourage their cooperation during the implementation of measures aimed at preventing, diagnosing and treatment obesity.

AmCham's position paper is available here.