Recognizing the need of Congress to prevent, address, and treat obesity as a disease in the United States on this World Obesity Day, March 4, 2025.

Over 42 percent of American adults and nearly 20 percent of children are now considered obese, with rates even higher among Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic communities. The federal government spent an estimated $283 billion on obesity-related health costs in 2023, projected to nearly double to $526 billion by 2033. This resolution recognizes obesity as a disease — not just a lifestyle choice — driven by a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors, and calls on healthcare providers and researchers to develop evidence-based strategies for prevention and treatment. It also acknowledges that people with obesity often face stigma, discrimination, and barriers to getting coverage for treatment.