Scales balancing healthy foods against sugary treats, symbolizing the impact of public health policies on obesity and diabetes in Europe.

Decoding the Obesity Epidemic: How Policy Changes Can Slim Down the Curve

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"A European study reveals surprising gender differences in the impact of NCD control policies on BMI and diabetes."

The global rise in obesity and diabetes presents a significant challenge to public health systems worldwide. As these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to spread, understanding the effectiveness of different intervention strategies becomes increasingly crucial. Public health policies, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases, are at the forefront of efforts to reverse this trend. However, the impact of these policies can vary greatly depending on the specific context and population.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Public Health sheds light on the effectiveness of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policies in the WHO European region. The research investigates how these policies correlate with changes in body mass index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence across different European countries. This analysis is particularly important given the diverse approaches to public health across Europe, offering valuable insights into what works and what doesn't in the fight against obesity and diabetes.

The study, led by Belgin Unal and colleagues, examines data from 2000 to 2014, a period marked by increasing awareness and policy interventions related to NCDs. By analyzing trends in BMI and diabetes prevalence in conjunction with the implementation of NCD policies, the researchers aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving public health strategies. Understanding the nuances of these relationships is essential for policymakers and healthcare professionals striving to create healthier communities.

Key Findings: Gender Matters in Policy Impact

Scales balancing healthy foods against sugary treats, symbolizing the impact of public health policies on obesity and diabetes in Europe.

The study's methodology involved analyzing sex-specific estimates of mean BMI and diabetes prevalence in various European countries. Data were sourced from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a reliable source of information on global health trends. To assess the strength of NCD policies, the researchers developed an NCD policy score (NCDPS) based on the 2010 WHO Global NCD Country Capacity Survey (CCS) and the Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2011 results. This score provided a standardized measure of policy implementation across different nations.

One of the most striking findings of the study was the gender-specific impact of NCD policies. While mean BMI levels and diabetes prevalence generally increased across most countries, the effectiveness of policies in curbing these trends varied significantly between men and women. Specifically, the NCD policy score was significantly associated with changes in BMI and diabetes prevalence in women, but not in men. This suggests that public health interventions may need to be tailored to address the specific needs and behaviors of different genders.

BMI and diabetes rates increased in almost all countries within the WHO European region during the study period.
NCD policy effectiveness varied significantly, showing a stronger impact on women compared to men.
The NCD policy score explained a notable portion of the variability in BMI (24%) and diabetes prevalence (43%) changes in women.
Tailoring public health policies to specific gender needs could enhance their effectiveness.

The researchers used logistic regression models to analyze the association between NCDPS and changes in BMI and diabetes. These models confirmed the gender differences observed in the data. In women, NCDPS explained a significant portion of the variability in both BMI change (24%) and diabetes prevalence change (43%). This indicates that stronger NCD policies are associated with more favorable outcomes in women. In contrast, no such association was found in men, highlighting the need for further investigation into the factors that influence men's health outcomes.

Implications and Future Directions

This study underscores the importance of considering gender-specific factors when designing and implementing public health policies. While NCD policies appear to be effective in curbing obesity and diabetes among women, the lack of a similar impact on men suggests that different strategies may be needed to address men's health. Further research is needed to identify the specific barriers that prevent men from benefiting from current policies and to develop interventions that are more tailored to their needs. By taking a more nuanced approach to public health, policymakers can create more effective strategies for combating the obesity epidemic and improving the health of all populations.

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This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx187.208, Alternate LINK

Title: Impact Of Ncd Control Policies On Change In Body Mass Index And Diabetes In The Who Europe Region

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: European Journal of Public Health

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: B Unal, E Erkoyun, J Breda, E Loyola, G Galea

Published: 2017-10-20

Everything You Need To Know

How did the European study measure the effectiveness of public health policies related to obesity and diabetes?

The study, focusing on the WHO European region from 2000 to 2014, uses data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). To measure policy strength, they used an NCD policy score (NCDPS) derived from the 2010 WHO Global NCD Country Capacity Survey (CCS) and the Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2011. By analyzing trends in BMI and diabetes prevalence against the NCDPS, the study aimed to reveal the effectiveness of various NCD policies.

What were the key findings of the European study regarding the gender-specific impact of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policies?

The research indicates that Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policies have a more significant impact on women's health outcomes related to obesity and diabetes compared to men's. The NCD policy score was significantly associated with changes in BMI and diabetes prevalence in women, explaining a notable portion of the variability in these changes. However, a similar association was not observed in men, suggesting that gender-specific factors play a crucial role in the effectiveness of public health interventions.

What are the implications of the study's findings that Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policies have a different impact on women compared to men?

The fact that NCD policies impact women differently than men has significant implications. It suggests that public health strategies need to be tailored to address the specific needs and behaviors of each gender. For women, stronger NCD policies are associated with more favorable outcomes in BMI and diabetes prevalence, implying that current policies are effective to some extent. However, the lack of a similar impact on men suggests that different or additional strategies are needed to improve men's health outcomes. This could involve interventions that consider factors such as occupational hazards, lifestyle choices, and social norms that may influence men's health behaviors.

What does the study reveal about the importance of tailored approaches when addressing obesity and diabetes?

The study highlights the need for tailored approaches in public health. While the NCD policy score (NCDPS) explained 24% of the variability in BMI change and 43% of diabetes prevalence change in women, the lack of a similar impact on men underscores the importance of considering gender-specific factors when designing and implementing public health policies. Future research should focus on identifying the specific barriers that prevent men from benefiting from current policies and on developing interventions that are more tailored to their needs.

Besides Body Mass Index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence, what other factors could be considered to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the obesity epidemic in the context of public health policies?

While this study focused on the impact of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) policies on Body Mass Index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence, it did not delve into specific policy types such as taxation on sugary drinks, regulations on food advertising, or promotion of physical activity. Future research could explore the effectiveness of specific policy interventions and assess how they interact with gender to influence health outcomes. Additionally, factors like socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and access to healthcare could be considered to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the obesity epidemic.