The Kathmandu Declaration – Obesity in the south Asian region: An exigency statement

Background: The South Asian Region shoulders more than its fair share of health-related challenges. While we continue to tackle acute and communicable illness, newer challenges and concerns have emerged. These include the rapidly increasing metabolic and endocrine syndromes such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity. Methods: In the past, SAFES has released the Dhaka Declaration (2015) on gestational diabetes mellitus, and the Colombo Declaration (2019) on prevention of diabetes. The authors from 8 countries have together drafted and agreed this declaration to improve healthcare delivery for the recognition and management of obesity in the region. Results: In this Kathmandu declaration we highlight the urgent need for recognition, evaluation and prevention of obesity in this region. It has described not only the need but also the methods to improve obesity outcomes in the region through advocacy, awareness and addressal. Conclusion: Through its member associations, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES) works to ensure optimal endocrine health care delivery in South Asia and has worked on the Kathmandu Declaration to improve the obesity pandemic in the region.