Hundreds of thousands of Swedes are either undiagnosed or under-treated, according to the first national review of Swedish obesity. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare’s assessment notes that relatively few people struggling with obesity “receive medication, surgery or lifestyle support”, despite access to effective treatments.
To improve overall Swedish obesity care, Review specifically highlights primary care as essential to ensure more patients receive early help.
“A major concern is that primary care providers do not pay enough attention to patients with obesity and the fact that obesity can be the underlying cause of other symptoms. It is not a disease that patients can treat themselves, but a chronic disease,” Maria State, Deputy Director at the Board’s Analysis Department, told Euractiv.
Obesity is defined as a condition characterized by a body mass index (BMI) above 30, which is associated with a high risk of various other diseases. For adults, it can also mean a two- to three-fold higher risk of mortality.
The exact number of people who were undertreated is unknown, but is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, according to Maria State. However, some data show that the number of adults with obesity is about 1.3 million, while children are estimated at about 80,000.
Between 2020 and 2024, the increase in obesity diagnoses among children increased by 41 percent, while among adults there was a 27 percent increase. More women than men receive the diagnosis. While the level has stabilized in adults, it continues to rise in children.
Returning to GLP-1
The report also shows that patient costs for GLP-1 drugs have skyrocketed, as many are paying for them out of pocket. This cost went from €1.2 million in 2018 to €172 million in 2025.
France became the first country in Europe to reimburse two such GLP-1 blockers, Wegovy and Mounjaro, for people with severe to morbid obesity, with insurers reimbursing at least 65% of costs. Euractiv reported last week. Other European countries, such as Germany, Greece and Sweden, cover similar drugs only for type 2 diabetes.
In Sweden, Danish company Novo Nordisk has appealed an earlier decision by the Swedish pricing agency, TLV, not to reimburse Wegovy for very obese people with comorbidities, as there is a risk of slippage and, if so, high costs. However, according to Maria State, in parallel with the legal dispute, government agencies are now working to find a solution to the indication-slip issue.
In recent years, developments also show a positive trend – with improved diagnosis, increased treatment and a shift towards primary care and specialized pediatric care. When it comes to surgery, the report said the number is set at about 5,000 weight loss surgeries a year.
The crucial role of primary care
To improve overall Swedish obesity care, the review specifically emphasizes primary care as crucial to ensure that more patients receive early help.
“A major concern is that primary care providers do not pay enough attention to obese patients and the fact that obesity can be the underlying cause of other symptoms. It is not a disease that patients can treat themselves, but a chronic disease,” Maria State told Euractiv.
According to Jenny Vinglid, President of the patient organization Obesitas Sweden, national obesity care guidelines for 21 regions were issued in 2022, but only four regions have implemented action plans based on these.
“Society has very low knowledge about obesity as a disease, there are still prejudices and there is still a big stigma in Sweden,” she told Euractiv. In particular, she also points out that only about half of children with obesity in Sweden are referred from school or primary care pediatric health centers to specialist care. This, despite the guidelines recommending it.
Vinglid also said that issuing national action plans would be a good next step.
An action plan is needed
Johan Kaarme, a pediatrician and head of the Department of Health and Social Care at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), said that deficiencies in obesity care are recognized by the regions.
“Since the beginning of 2026, they have been working in an operational partnership with government agencies to improve prevention, diagnosis and medical follow-up in this area of the disease,” he said. “We will be receiving feedback on this partnership next week. However, there is a strong emphasis on joining forces and setting common priorities around resources.”
To address the educational problem, a new knowledge support guide will be published next week.
(VA, BM)
