Obesity and its impact on health, policy, and society took centre stage in Germany this summer with a dedicated special edition of Apotheken Umschau, the country’s most widely read health magazine. The issue, released on 1 August 2025, focused entirely on obesity and was accompanied by a national awareness campaign across television and social media.
The publication coincided with a parliamentary session in Berlin titled “Obesity – A Political Challenge”, held on 10 July at Café Einstein. The event, hosted by Apotheken Umschau, brought together more than 60 participants from medicine, research, business, health insurance, advocacy organisations, and politics to discuss the urgent need for reform in prevention and care for people living with obesity.
Almost one in four adults in Germany is living with obesity, yet the condition continues to be viewed by many as an individual failure rather than a chronic disease influenced by complex biological, environmental, and social factors. This misconception, according to experts, continues to shape public opinion, research priorities, and healthcare access.
“Prejudices shape the debate on obesity: people living with obesity are considered stupid, lazy, and weak-willed. The problem is that this is not true. Medical evidence shows this clearly, yet society and politics continue to rest on that narrative,” said Dr. Dennis Ballwieser, Editor-in-Chief of Apotheken Umschau and someone personally affected by obesity.
Christel Moll, Chair of the Obesity Association – Germany e.V., highlighted the human cost of stigma and unequal access to care. “Obesity hurts. It hurts physically, but it also hurts emotionally. Many people are desperate, and now that effective treatments are available, many cannot afford them,” she said.
Speakers also addressed the need for early prevention and fairer food policies. Dr. Johannes Nießen, Acting Director of the Federal Institute for Public Health, emphasised the importance of accessible initiatives for children and families. “Exercise and healthy eating should be fun – we need to convey this to children and young people as early as possible. That’s why it’s essential to create low-threshold offers for families,” he said.
Dr. Tobias Effertz, economist at the University of Hamburg, called for stronger fiscal measures to encourage healthier choices. “Highly processed foods play a major role in the development of obesity. We need higher taxes on unhealthy foods and subsidies for healthy ones. That is the lever we need – and it must be noticeable,” he explained.
Other speakers and involved in the publication included:
- Jana Crämer, author and person living with obesity
- Marion Rung-Friebe, Second Chair of the Obesity Association – Germany e.V.
- Dr. Christina Holzapfel, Fulda University of Applied Sciences / Technical University of Munich
- Luise Molling, Foodwatch e.V.
- Burkhard Rodeck, German Society for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
- Simon Hilber, Professional Association of Paediatricians
- Anke Rüdiger, German Pharmacists’ Association
- Michael Henrich, Pharma Germany
- Andrea Galle, mkk Health Insurance Fund
- Dr. Jürgen Ordemann, Vivantes Spandau Hospital
Apotheken Umschau is Germany’s leading health publication. Its special 100-page issue on obesity aimed to raise awareness and spark dialogue across the country about the need for equitable treatment, evidence-based prevention, and better understanding of obesity as a chronic disease.