Most forms of obesity are associated with chronic diseases that remain a global public health challenge.

Despite significant advancements in understanding its pathophysiology, effective management of obesity is hindered by the persistence of knowledge gaps in epidemiology, phenotypic heterogeneity and policy implementation.

This consensus statement by the European Society for Clinical Investigation identifies eight critical areas requiring urgent attention. Key gaps include insufficient long-term data on obesity trends, the inadequacy of body mass index (BMI) as a sole diagnostic measure, and insufficient recognition of phenotypic diversity in obesity-related cardiometabolic risks. Moreover, the socio-economic drivers of obesity and its transition across phenotypes remain poorly understood.

The syndemic nature of obesity, exacerbated by globalization and environmental changes, necessitates a holistic approach integrating global frameworks and community-level interventions. This statement advocates for leveraging emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to refine predictive models and address phenotypic variability. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to create tailored interventions and enduring policies.

The consensus highlights the need for harmonizing anthropometric and biochemical markers, fostering inclusive public health narratives and combating stigma associated with obesity. By addressing these gaps, this initiative aims to advance research, improve prevention strategies and optimize care delivery for people living with obesity.

This collaborative effort marks a decisive step towards mitigating the obesity epidemic and its profound impact on global health systems. Ultimately, obesity should be considered as being largely the consequence of a socio-economic model not compatible with optimal human health.

School milk programs have a long history in Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent decades, the region has undergone a nutrition transition characterized by a rise in children's overweight/obesity, which adds new challenges for school-based programs.

This article aimed to unpack how school milk programs in the region have fared as of 2022 and what drives their success (or lack thereof).

Data from the Global Survey of School Meal Programs were analyzed descriptively to broadly summarize the current state of school feeding programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. To probe the status of school milk programs, key informant interviews were conducted with school milk stakeholders in 7 countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras), and these interviews were analyzed for thematic elements.

Five countries were found to have operational school milk programs, whereas the programs in Guatemala and Honduras have not (thus far) endured. Programs often prioritized and took pride in local milk procurement, although there was sometimes incongruity between objectives to improve children's diets and stimulate local agricultural development. Program implementers grapple with the taste, texture, and safety of milk, and it can be challenging to reconcile concerns over child obesity and the need to ensure the milk is appealing and accepted.

In conclusion, programs seek creatively to overcome the aformentioned challenges wherever there is fiscal capacity and political will.

The global rise in overweight and obesity among children presents significant health challenges. Schools, as key social environments, can effectively influence children's dietary and physical activity habits due to the substantial time students spend there. School-based interventions can reach nearly all children and impact their environment's sociocultural and policy aspects to promote healthier habits. This literature review summarizes the literature discussing the effectiveness of school-based interventions in preventing childhood obesity, identifies the most effective strategies, and provides evidence-based recommendations for future interventions. In August 2024, a comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify the key studies discussing our topic. We found that school-based interventions that integrate nutritional education and physical activity programs effectively reduce body mass index (BMI) and improve weight status among children. Extensive research and systematic reviews have shown significant reductions in BMI through these comprehensive approaches. Incorporating nutritional education into the school curriculum, with practical lessons and healthy food promotions, positively impacts dietary behaviors. Physical activity programs, such as regular physical education classes and extracurricular sports, are vital for promoting healthy weight status. Parental involvement further enhances these interventions, leading to better outcomes in weight status and energy balance-related behaviors. Policies that promote healthy eating and physical activity within schools, including restricting unhealthy food access and improving physical activity facilities, also reduce BMI and obesity risk among children.

Childhood obesity, an escalating global health challenge, is intricately linked to the built environment in which children live, learn, and play. This review and perspective examined the multifaceted relationship between the built environment and childhood obesity, offering insights into potential interventions for prevention. Factors such as urbanization, access to unhealthy food options, sedentary behaviors, and socioeconomic disparities are critical contributors to this complex epidemic. Built environment encompasses the human-modified spaces such as homes, schools, workplaces, and urban areas. These settings can influence children's physical activity levels, dietary habits, and overall health. The built environment can be modified to prevent childhood obesity by enhancing active transportation through the development of safe walking and cycling routes, creating accessible and inviting green spaces and play areas, and promoting healthy food environments by regulating fast-food outlet density. School design is another area for intervention, with a focus on integrating outdoor spaces and facilities that promote physical activity and healthy eating. Community engagement and education in reinforcing healthy behaviors is necessary, alongside the potential of technology and innovation in encouraging physical activity among children. Policy and legislative support are crucial for sustaining these efforts. In conclusion, addressing the built environment in the fight against childhood obesity requires the need for a comprehensive, multipronged approach that leverages the built environment as a tool for promoting healthier lifestyles among children, ultimately paving the way for a healthier, more active future generation.

The purpose of this study was to scan for the obesogenicity of primary school environments in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa. This study was carried out in ten public primary schools in the Tshwane West district of the Gauteng province. An observational design was used to collect the data. Data collection was conducted using an observational checklist guided by the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework. The findings revealed that although a nutrition policy was available in most schools, few schools were communicating the policy. Despite all the schools having sports fields, children were not exercising. Most schools also had a school nutrition programme. Most primary schoolchildren's lunchboxes contained sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and snacks. A few lunchboxes contained fruits and vegetables. Primary schools in Tshwane West did not comply with most aspects of the school mapping environment, indicating that the school environments were obesogenic. It is therefore essential to scan for obesogenicity in all South African schools so that tailor-made interventions can be implemented to rectify and further prevent obesogenic school environments.