Sant Joan d’Alacant Hospital Addresses Obesity as a Chronic Disease

Healthcare professionals analyze care needs and coordination for obesity treatment.

Generic image of a stethoscope on a medical document.
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Generic image of a stethoscope on a medical document.

The Sant Joan d’Alacant University Hospital hosted a conference to analyze the repercussions of obesity and the importance of treating it as a chronic disease, with participation from professionals across various specialties and Primary Care.

The event, held on October 28, highlighted the need to recognize obesity as a chronic illness requiring continuous monitoring and treatment, as well as the importance of avoiding the stigmatization of affected individuals.
During the presentation, the department's manager, Juan Antonio Marqués, emphasized the significant impact of obesity treatment from care, organizational, and socioeconomic perspectives. Marqués also noted how this pathology affects people's daily lives and quality of life, pointing out that it can be a cause of premature death.
The session began with an intervention by Francisco José Pomares, Head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Section, who analyzed the characteristics of obesity as a chronic disease and the factors contributing to its stigmatization. Pomares stressed the importance of involving professionals from different specialties and Primary Care in its management, defining obesity as 'an ubiquitous disease, a transversal problem'.
Subsequently, a multidisciplinary panel titled ‘The “weight” of adiposity in my practice: a multidisciplinary view’ took place. Participants included Marina Ruiz (Family and Community Medicine), Ignacio Boira (Pulmonology), Carles Bodí (Cardiology), José Miguel Seguí (Internal Medicine), Francisco Quereda (Obstetrics and Gynecology), and Pilar Griñó (Digestive Medicine). Their contributions addressed the repercussions of obesity from various care areas and underscored the importance of integrating its treatment into individualized patient care.
The program also included a presentation on the clinical pathway and management of obesity, followed by an open forum for exchanging experiences and reflecting on how to improve coordination among healthcare professionals.
Based on information from the official source: Departament de Salut Alacant-Sant Joan (02/11/2026)