Fifteen years ago, Pau Gasol was busy battling in the paint for the Lakers, lifting trophies, and mentoring a young Kobe-era roster. However, off the court, something else caught his attention. Something far more dangerous than any opponent he faced. It wasn’t a rival team. It was a silent epidemic quietly creeping into the lives of millions of kids: childhood obesity. And now, a decade and a half later, the 7-foot Spaniard is sounding the alarm louder than ever. Because the cost of inaction, as he warns, will be catastrophic. Gasol didn’t hold back when speaking on the topic when he opened up during his recent appearance on Lennox Post.
In a video shared on said channel’s YouTube page, the former Los Angeles Lakers star explained that this issue has been on his radar for quite some time. Since 2010, to be exact. “That’s when we started to be more aware personally about a trend and a reality that was very worrisome… It was said that the health of children were squashing. The habits of children were worsening and were having a very bad effect in their health in the future,” he said, stressing just how urgent the situation is.
Issuing a warning of sorts regarding the consequences that await in the future, he continued, “So we’ve seen throughout the last 20 years, indexes of overweight and obese children grow rapidly and, and that’s turned obviously into really bad consequences in adults and healthcare systems and families that suffered from the consequences of it, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, etc, that come from obesity.”
Jan 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Pau Gasol stands courtside before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Those numbers may sound dramatic. But Gasol’s concern is grounded in hard data. The 2019 State of the World’s Children report from UNICEF, titled Children, Food and Nutrition: Growing Well in a Changing World, revealed that from 2000 to 2016, the rate of overweight children aged 5 to 19 jumped from 1 in 10 to nearly 1 in 5.
Worse still, by 2025, an estimated 70 million children globally could be living with obesity. No wonder Gasol sounded so serious and committed in his drive for the cause against obesity.
Pau Gasol’s initiatives to raise awareness about obesity and the honor he received
When it comes to tackling childhood obesity, Gasol isn’t just lending his name. He’s rolling up his sleeves and doing the work. His Gasol Foundation is leading the charge by focusing on what really matters: healthy habits from the ground up.
The idea is simple but powerful—prevention over cure. And how do they do it? By encouraging kids to stay active through sports, eat nutritious meals, get proper rest, and take care of their emotional health. It’s a holistic approach that understands health isn’t just about one thing—it’s about balance.
That deep-rooted commitment didn’t go unnoticed. In 2019, UNICEF honored Gasol as their Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity. Fast forward to 2024, and he is still at it – joining fellow athletes at the Walk the Talk health event.
“For me, it will be a great opportunity to show how healthy lifestyles can help overcome the global epidemic of obesity,” Gasol shared back then. It’s clear that Pau Gasol isn’t taking this threat to the future generation lightly. He intends to take all possible measures for their betterment.
Pau Gasol is handing us the playbook. Through his foundation, his advocacy, and his on-the-ground work with UNICEF, he’s turning a 15-year concern into a roadmap for prevention. While the numbers are chilling, his message is crystal clear: this isn’t irreversible.
But the time to act is now. The future of children’s health won’t be decided in hospitals or clinics – it’ll be shaped in school cafeterias, gymnasiums, and living rooms. Gasol’s just making sure we don’t wait until it’s too late to start playing defense.
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