OBJECTIVES: Obesity imposes significant burden of disease and health system costs. Despite its importance, there is no comprehensive strategy for combating obesity in Greece. This study aims to map the current situation with respect to obesity awareness and evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of several strategies for tackling obesity.

METHODS: Expert opinion and judgement were elicited through a multidisciplinary workshop consisting of academics, clinicians and health policy experts, who represented the major professional/scientific societies involved in prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated conditions in Greece. Participants were asked to evaluate several statements regarding awareness and strategies for combating obesity, with a particular focus on behavioural and financial incentives. They evaluated the potential effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed strategies in a scale ranging from 1 to 10.

RESULTS: Only 12% of participants noted that tackling obesity is among the main priorities of the public health agenda. According to 83% of experts, health workforce is not adequately informed and trained to communicate the actual risks and treatments for obesity. They also raised concerns about the insurance coverage of the available treatment strategies. Several behavioural nudges were considered effective and feasible, including improved nutrition facts labelling and menu nutrient and calorie counts. In addition, experts’ opinion revealed the importance of financial incentives. More than eight out of ten supported that taxing unhealthy products, subsidising healthier food choices, reducing VAT for sporting grounds and improving the regulatory framework for advertising unhealthy foods are effective and feasible strategies against obesity.

CONCLUSIONS: Policy responses require multidisciplinary approaches, which address the multiple and complex social, cognitive and behavioural causes of obesity. Behavioural nudges and financial incentives for tackling obesity appear to be both effective and feasible. These strategies could be incorporated in the health policy agenda in Greece.