Perspectives on Innovative Approaches to Obesity Treatment and Prevention in Denmark: A Mixed Methods Interview and Survey Study

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat tissue accumulation that presents a risk to health. Persons with obesity and overweight are at a major risk of developing a number of comorbidities, primarily chronic diseases, including but not limited to type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and 13 common forms of cancer. PwO experience unmet need in healthcare and discrimination in everyday life. Besides the economic and societal impact of the above, obesity has implication for an individual’s mental health, social interactions and labour market participation. Obesity as a chronic disease is thus a significant burden in healthcare and in the public budget in general. Once considered a problem only in high income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. This project is a mixed methods interview and survey study that demonstrates the evidence for investing in prevention initiatives targeting children aged 3-13 through education on the background and consequences of obesity, nutrition, lifestyle and the human physiology – “LypoTales”. This innovative approach will target the population when it is still rather vulnerable to the outside opinion and more susceptible to adopt new habits and traditions. To ensure success, the initiative will have to be nationwide politically endorsed and compulsory for any institution in Denmark. Furthermore, it is crucial to offer the nuanced, multidisciplinary, timely and early treatment for PwO already now. Finally, the project offers recommendations for the Public Health decision-makers for reducing the burden of obesity in Denmark already now and in the coming decades. The results of the project suggest that the interventions will potentially alleviate up to 5% unemployment in the coming years and offer savings in the Danish healthcare of over DKK 8 bln by improving the health of those unemployed and chronically sick through improving their health and allowing them to return to work.