En National Association of People Living with Obesity (ANPO) has taken major steps in recent months to strengthen awareness, advocacy, and patient support across Spain. From media interviews to political engagement and large-scale public events, the organisation is working to change perceptions of obesity and ensure better care for people affected by the disease.
January – Raising Awareness Through the Media
In January, ANPO President Federico Luis Moya gave interviews in several national newspapers, stressing the importance of recognising obesity as a chronic disease. He highlighted that obesity is linked to more than 200 comorbidities, including 13 types of cancer, and emphasised that people living with obesity do not choose the disease.
Moya also addressed the challenges faced after bariatric surgery, warning that surgery is not a cure but one part of a lifelong approach requiring significant lifestyle and dietary changes. He concluded by calling for the creation of a Comprehensive Obesity Plan in Spain, one that addresses prevention and treatment across all stages of life.
February – Advocacy at the Congress of Deputies
On February 18El Alliance for Obesity – a coalition led by ANPO and made up of thirteen patient organisations and scientific societies – appeared before the Health Committee of the Congress of Deputies. The Alliance called for a National Strategy for Comprehensive Care for Obesity, which would legally recognise obesity as a chronic disease and establish multidisciplinary care units in all autonomous communities.
The Alliance also pressed for funding for innovative treatments and research, shorter waiting lists for bariatric surgery, and national prevention campaigns targeting not just individuals but also companies and public institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the Alliance, Dr. Irene Bretón underlined the urgency: “It is not just an aesthetic problem or a matter of individual habits; it is a chronic, recurrent, multifactorial disease, and its lack of recognition as such is seriously limiting the health and political response it deserves.”
March
A New Chapter for ANPO
In March, ANPO announced its new name – National Association of People Living with Obesity – and reaffirmed its mission to represent patients across Spain. The association, composed entirely of people who live with or have lived with obesity, aims to provide peer support, improve public understanding, and advocate for policies that reduce stigma and improve treatment access.
Día Mundial de la Obesidad
Marcar World Obesity Day (March 4), ANPO partnered with SEEDO (Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity) and Novo Nordisk under the theme “Changing Systems. Healthier Lives.” The campaign highlighted the close links between obesity and mental health, noting that people with obesity are significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
“Everyone living with obesity needs care that goes beyond weight management. Mental health support is essential to ensure success,” said ANPO President Moya.
On the same day, ANPO launched the First Active Meeting Against Obesity, in collaboration with CADENA DIAL and popular musicians. The event combined music and physical activity, and included the public reading of a heartfelt letter by Moya, sharing his personal journey with obesity and calling for an end to stigma.
May
Calls for Change at SEEDO Pre-Congress and ECO2025
In early May, ANPObesidad, represented by its president Federico Luis Moya, participated in the SEEDO Pre-Congressahead of the 32nd European Congress on Obesity (ECO2025) in Málaga. Moya emphasised the need to eliminate stigma—both within healthcare settings and in wider society—and argued that people living with obesity must be actively involved in shaping health policies. He also underscored the economic burden of the disease, which already accounts for 3% of Spain’s GDP, stressing the urgency of stronger national action.
During ECO2025, ANPObesidad contributed both as a national association and as part of the Coalición Europea de Personas con Obesidad (ECPO). Moya joined several round tables, including a major event organised by the Spanish Obesity Alliance. Discussions focused on recognising obesity as a chronic disease and advancing a National Strategy for Comprehensive Care for Obesity. Experts and stakeholders agreed that any effective plan must be multidisciplinary, evidence-based, and applicable across all age groups. “The only way to achieve meaningful results is through coordinated national and regional action,” participants concluded.
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Contribution to Global Research: MAPPS II
Also in May, ANPObesidad joined the MAPPS II research group, a global initiative led by the Federación Mundial de Obesidad. Represented by Moya, the association is contributing to an international effort to assess how well-equipped health systems are to manage obesity.
The project—Management and Advocacy for Providers, Patients, and Systems (MAPPS II)—aims to improve understanding of the global obesity care landscape, strengthen equity and access, and align findings with the WHO Obesity Acceleration Plan. The ultimate goal is to generate evidence and drive policy change to expand access to treatment and care for people living with obesity worldwide.
June – National Engagement on Public Health
In June, ANPObesidad took part in a high-level conference titled “Obesity: Deciphering One of the Main Public Health Challenges of the 21st Century,” organised by IQVIA. Representing the voice of patients, Moya underlined the daily realities and unmet needs of people living with obesity in Spain. His contributions highlighted the importance of integrating patient perspectives into public health strategies.
The first half of 2025 has been a period of intense activity for ANPObesidad, marked by national advocacy, international collaboration, participation in major congresses, and contributions to global research. We are looking forward to seeing what the 2nd half of the year will have in store.
