Murashko calls obesity prevention a priority in tackling chronic disease

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko described tackling obesity as a key way to reduce the burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases at the National Congress of Therapists. He urged doctors to identify the diagnosis directly and provide treatment recommendations.

Murashko cited a forecast that around 60% of adults and almost a third of children could have overweight or obesity by 2050. This combines the two conditions and is a projection dependent on future trends, rather than a measure of current obesity prevalence.

He listed higher-calorie diets, low physical activity, sugary soft drinks and ultra-processed foods among the risk factors.

Murashko also pointed to stress, poorer sleep and reduced physical education time in schools as factors contributing to weight gain.

His presentation estimated Russia's economic losses from premature deaths among working-age people due to chronic noncommunicable diseases at approximately 4% of GDP.