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As screens replace playgrounds and desks replace parks, physical activity declines – and obesity rises. Yet, public health policies continue to focus predominantly on food, labels, and restrictions, overlooking one of the most powerful drivers of weight gain: inactivity. Rebalancing obesity policy requires placing physical activity and sports at the center of prevention strategies.

Obesity by the numbers

Obesity has become a major global health challenge, affecting over 1 billion people worldwide and contributing to a growing burden of chronic diseases. 

According to the World Health Organization, in Europe, the trend is clear and persistent. Since 1980, obesity rates have more than doubled – from 8% to nearly 23% in 2025 – while over half of adults are now considered overweight (with overweight often classified as “pre-obese”). Today, 51% of Europeans aged 16 and over fall under this category. 

Obesity is shaped by a complex interaction of factors, including genetics, dietary patterns, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental influences. Yet, one of the most significant and underestimated drivers is physical inactivity.

Europe’s Sitting Problem

Sedentary lifestyles have increased steadily over time. In the 1990s, around 20% of adults were insufficiently active. By the 2000s, this rose to 30%. Today, more than one in three adults (about 36%) are physically inactive. 

The problem starts early: data from the early 2000s showed that 60% of children aged 11-17 were insufficiently active. Today, that figure has climbed to 80%. A study done shows that a large majority of teenagers spend more than two hours per day on screens, with rates exceeding 60-70% among those aged 13-15. 

This shift towards screen-based lifestyles is not neutral. It displaces time once dedicated to movement and sports, reinforcing sedentary habits and increasing obesity risk across all age groups.

Exercise: the Missing Link in Weight Control

Regular participation in sports and physical activity provides a wide range of physiological and psychological benefits that are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and overall-wellbeing. 

Sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis, or swimming – alongside activities like running, cycling, and gym training – improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and strengthen joints. Engaging in consistent physical activity increases the body’s energy expenditure, supports metabolic balance, and helps regulate how the body uses and stores energy. 

Beyond the physical aspect, sports and exercise also have powerful effects on mental health. Regular participation is consistently linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving focus, discipline, and overall mood. Team sports, in particular, include a social component that can increase motivation and long-term commitment to active lifestyles.

Beyond Restrictions: Policy Must Move Too

To effectively address obesity, policy approaches must move beyond a narrow focus on food consumption, labeling, and taxation. There is a clear systematic decline in physical activity, and policymakers should react appropriately and focus on reshaping the education system and providing public investments for activity-friendly infrastructure. 

There is a rising amount of inactivity amongst the younger generations – primarily due to increased screentime. To combat this, schools should prioritize physical education and expand in-school sports programs and extracurricular activities. Building habits from a young age is crucial to ensure lifelong benefits.

Furthermore, public investment in pedestrian-only avenues, cycling infrastructure, green spaces, and accessible, open-air recreational areas promote movement and integrate it as a natural part of daily routines. Investments should also be allocated towards affordable sports facilities, local clubs, and community programs to ensure participation is not limited by income or geography.  

Addressing obesity is not only about changing what people eat, but also about reshaping how people live. Building environments that encourage physical activity is not a complementary strategy – it is a necessary one. The world has drastically evolved over the last 26 years, and so should its policies.

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