Obesity Crisis in Portugal: Patients Die Waiting for Treatment as System Fails

Obesity patients in Portugal are dying while waiting for consultations, with delays stretching up to four years in some hospitals. The Portuguese Association for People Living with Obesity (ADEXO) has highlighted this dire situation, pointing out that many patients succumb to severe complications like diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular diseases before receiving help.

The Long Wait for Treatment

Carlos Oliveira, president of ADEXO, shared heartbreaking accounts of patients who died before their first consultation. The association has recorded multiple such cases, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change. Oliveira emphasized that timely treatment could prevent many emergency hospital visits, alleviating pressure on healthcare facilities.

Children Left Without Care

The situation is even more critical for childhood obesity, with specialized care available in only three cities—Évora, Lisbon, and Santarém. Families from other regions face significant financial and logistical burdens to access multidisciplinary care, including nutrition, psychology, and endocrinology services.

Discrimination in Treatment Access

Oliveira criticized the discriminatory treatment of obesity patients. While surgical treatments are fully covered by the state, medication for obesity remains unsubsidized, leaving many without affordable options. He called on the new government to subsidize obesity medications for those in genuine need.

Misguided Advice from Doctors

Many patients report being told to "eat less and move more" instead of receiving proper medical referrals. José Silva Nunes, president of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Obesity (SPEO), stressed that obesity is a neurobiological disease, not a lifestyle choice. He highlighted the need for better training for healthcare professionals to recognize and treat obesity effectively.

Rising Obesity Rates

In 2022, 37.3% of Portuguese adults were overweight, and 15.9% were obese. Childhood obesity is also alarming, with 31.9% of children overweight and 13.5% obese. The SPEO warns that without action, these numbers will continue to rise, straining the healthcare system further.

The Danger of Quick Fixes

Both Oliveira and Silva Nunes warned against quick-fix solutions promoted on social media, labeling them as charlatanism. They emphasized that obesity is a chronic disease requiring lifelong management, not temporary diets or extreme workouts.

A Call for Sustainable Solutions

The experts advocate for long-term, sustainable treatments and greater government support to combat obesity. Silva Nunes urged the recognition of obesity as a serious disease, while Oliveira called for reduced waiting times and medication subsidies to save lives.