Authors
Petch Rawdaree, Nisita Jirawutkornkul, Parnnaphat Luksameesate, Dilok Piyayotai
Published in
Implementation science communications. Jun 19, 2026. Epub Jun 19, 2026.
Abstract
Obesity is one of the world's leading health burdens. The prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise globally, creating significant healthcare and socioeconomic challenges. Effective strategies are essential to address this crisis.
To thematically map global obesity management strategies and policies, focusing on policy- and system-level features relevant to national implementation, to inform context-sensitive policy considerations in Thailand and similar health systems.
A scoping review was conducted to map global obesity management policies and identify key themes, challenges, success factors, and future directions. Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus, were searched for relevant documents published between January 1, 2004, and June 30, 2024. The gray literature was also reviewed to assess the reimbursement status of obesity medications.
The analysis identified three main policy domains: public policy, food security and healthy environments, and healthcare system support. Through the scoping review and thematic synthesis, 19 distinct policy themes were identified. High-income countries generally demonstrated more comprehensive and integrated strategies compared to middle-income countries. Regarding medical reimbursement for obesity treatment, coverage for bariatric surgery was more commonly available across settings, whereas reimbursement for anti-obesity medications remained limited. For example, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) were reimbursed for obesity indications in selected high-income countries, including Denmark and the United Kingdom. In contrast, in countries such as the United States, China, and Thailand (restricted to the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme), these agents were reimbursed primarily for type 2 diabetes rather than for weight management.
Integrated strategies that combine prevention and treatment, supported by interagency collaboration, are critical for effective obesity management. Additionally, designing policies that align with the social, cultural, and economic context of each country is crucial for achieving sustainable obesity management.
PMID:
42321875
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Jun 2026.
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