Introduction

In Belgium, a patient rights law has been in place since 2002. This law guarantees that every person who receives health care has multiple rights. This way we as patients know what to expect and the healthcare provider knows what is expected of them. This ensures a clear relationship between healthcare provider and patient. Good communication is a driver for quality care.

However, this is not the case for obesity despite having been classified as a metabolic disease since 1948. In 2022, the 20th anniversary of the Belgian Patient’s Rights Act was celebrated, yet it has had remarkably few revisions in those 20 years. In the meantime, the numbers of people living with the chronic disease of obesity have risen exponentially in Belgium. Likewise, the scientific understanding and potential solutions for early diagnosis and screening, treatment and long-term management have also substantially evolved.

Testimony after testimony as well as research now conducted by Pacte-Adiposité | Adipositas-Pact in partnership with VUB and KU Leuven clearly demonstrates that much more remains to be done.