Message from Norman Rosenblum, INMD Scientific Director
March 2025
March 4th was World Obesity Day, a time to reflect on the growing global challenge of obesity and take action toward meaningful change. This year’s theme, “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives,” urges us to focus on the systems that influence the drivers of obesity and related chronic diseases, including healthcare, food systems, government policies, media, and our communities.
Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that affects millions across the globe, regardless of age, income, or location. It’s a condition that can lead to other life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The focus is often on individuals to make change; whereas, it is the systems around us that need to change. Environments that promote unhealthy lifestyles and lack of access to healthy and affordable food as well as health care are contributing to the obesity crisis. Restructuring our environments to bolster support and resources can help prevent and treat obesity effectively.
INMD, alongside other CIHR Institutes, fund the Healthy Cities Research Initiative, which aims to improve health by maximizing the health-promoting potential of cities and urbanized areas in Canada and internationally. Urban environments have the potential to become engines of good health and health equity. Governments and communities can harness this potential by promoting physical activity, healthy eating, social connectivity, economic opportunity and injury prevention, as well as access to health services, clean air, nutritious food and green space. Through the Healthy Cities Implementation Science Team Grants, INMD is funding Dr. Mary Jung’s research, which is aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes. Visit the CIHR Health Research in Action page to read about Dr. Jung's research.
On this World Obesity Day, let’s work towards understanding and developing a comprehensive, systemic approach to obesity prevention and care to reduce the global burden of chronic disease, improve the lives of millions, and create a healthier future for all.
Dr. Norman Rosenblum, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
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