Overview

Obesity is a growing public health problem in Germany. The share of adults with obesity almost doubled between 1990 and 2015, and lies above the OECD average. A social gradient in obesity prevalence exists, with overweight and obesity occurring more often in people with a low socioeconomic status. In 2008, the nationwide Initiative to Promote Healthy Diets and Physical Activity (IN FORM) was set up but did not reverse the trend. The 2015 Act to Strengthen Health Promotion and Prevention addresses explicitly living- environment intervention measures in relevant settings as a promising approach.