Connecting the Dots: What We Need to Consider When Addressing Obesity

Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that is a major risk factor for other cardiovascular, renal and metabolic conditions, including liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Sandy Sommer, Head of the Therapeutic Area for Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic at Boehringer Ingelheim, explains why it is vital that we view obesity and related metabolic conditions through the lens of connectivity.

The ripple effects of the global obesity health crisis are profound: obesity can be associated with damage to organs in the body, including the heart, kidneys and liver. Given the intricate interplay between the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic system, damage from obesity is rarely isolated.

In the U.S., 58% of adults with obesity experience high blood pressure, and 23% are living with diabetes. Looking at the impact on the liver alone, more than three-quarters of adults living with obesity may have metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This is a chronic condition caused by having too much fat in the liver. In fact, one in three people with obesity may develop a more serious form of MASLD, called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

The systemic scale of the problem is staggering, too: within the next decade, nearly 2 billion people worldwide are projected to be living with obesity. This rapid increase will come with a significant cost: by 2035, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity is expected to soar to $4 trillion – nearly 3% of global GDP.

A Call for Global Action

The urgency to act is clear: obesity is a serious, systemic health crisis with a broader impact on interconnected health conditions. Addressing this issue requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Breaking down clinical siloes, addressing fragmented care and adopting a multidisciplinary approach to obesity care is vital. Recognizing the impact of obesity on interconnected organs, including the liver, heart and kidneys, may help enhance patient outcomes and alleviate the substantial burden on health systems.

The Stakes are High

We are committed to creating awareness to help place obesity and the liver at the heart of the global non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda. The World Health Organization's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG3.4) contains an ambitious target for NCDs: a one-third reduction in deaths from NCDs, which are the leading cause of death globally. Around half of these deaths are attributable to cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, including diabetes.

We believe it is important to drive global NCD policy to reflect the latest scientific evidence on interconnected cardiovascular, renal and metabolic conditions, as well as its escalating global burden.

Commitment to Change

At Boehringer Ingelheim we are steadfast in our mission to make a meaningful difference for people living with conditions like obesity, liver disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. We aim to do this through our partnerships, pioneering research and development of innovative and evidence-based treatments. We look forward to continuing these efforts in the coming months and years.