Obesity is a major public health issue and is considered the primary cause of avoidable death worldwide.

Despite the alarming figures, obesity is not being taken seriously enough by public bodies, civil society and many of our fellow citizens. Furthermore, obese people are often made to feel guilty and face discrimination. Therefore, we must urgently raise awareness, firstly by helping people recognise that obesity is an illness and by alerting EU citizens to its dangers.

Strategies to prevent obesity must be another priority. Such strategies include systematic early check-ups for obesity and highlighting the importance of good diet and regular exercise from childhood. The EU also has an important role to play in combating the massive disparity in the prevalence and treatment of the illness between EU countries.

A number of different initiatives have already been implemented. Can the Commission explain what action the EU has taken to combat obesity? Is the Commission in a position to report on the results of the EU’s 2014-2020 Action Plan on Childhood Obesity at this stage?