La epidemia de la obesidad en España: La retórica de su discurso y riesgos potenciales

Obesity has become a top priority for public health policies in Spain. Based on increasing prevalence, it has been classified as an epidemic. Despite these claims, research does not always seem so conclusive. The purpose of this article is to review some of the ‘truths’ about obesity: a) that it is on the rise and is an epidemic in Spain; b) that there is a direct relationship between weight and health; c) that its sole effect is the imbalance between energy expenditure and intake. In addition, since the ideas expressed about the obesity epidemic and the exaggerated and alarmist way they are produced might have harmful and unpredictable consequences on people’s health, a second aim is to point out some of the possible risks inherent in those communication practices.