[Joint experience of Spain and the WHO in advancing the Acceleration Plan to End childhood Obesity].

Authors

David Montes, Kremlin Wickramasinghe, Jørgen Torgerstuen Johnsen, Álvaro Hernando Freile, María Auxiliadora Honorato, Francesca Celletti

Published in

Revista espanola de salud publica. Volume 100. Oct 21, 2026. Epub Oct 21, 2026.

Abstract

Obesity is one of the most pressing global health challenges, affecting over one billion people worldwide. Despite extensive evidence on effective interventions, implementation has been inconsistent across countries. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity in 2022 to catalyze coordinated, measurable, and sustainable action. This article examined the joint experiences of Spain and WHO in advancing the Acceleration Plan, focusing on the international context, Spain's engagement and leadership, and the shared schedule of actions. It also provides a critical reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of the Acceleration Plan and the collaboration.
A descriptive policy analysis was conducted based on WHO documentation, Spain's national policy announcements, and the programmatic architecture of the Acceleration Plan. The analysis highlights governance mechanisms, political processes, and implementation pathways.
Spain's joining of to the Acceleration Plan in 2024 marked a pivotal moment, reinforcing the global governance architecture through its leadership in launching and steering the WHO Accountability Series. Joint actions include preparations for the first High-Level Political Summit on Obesity to be hosted by Spain in 2026, annual ministerial engagements, and technical cooperation to monitor progress across countries. Spain's multisectoral policies provide practical examples of implementation aligned with WHO recommendations.
The Spain-WHO partnership demonstrates how national leadership, political convening power, and structured accountability can accelerate progress on obesity prevention and management. However, challenges persist, including heterogeneous country capacities, data limitations, and risks to sustained political commitment. Continued multilevel coordination will be essential for achieving the 2030 targets.

PMID:
42904533
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Oct 2026.

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