Pau Gasol Aims to Save 8 Billion Lives From Condition Affecting Nearly Half of America

Pau Gasol didn’t have to binge on Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser to know what he’s fighting for. The Netflix docuseries presented an ominous statistic – obesity rates in the US have climbed to 45% since The Biggest Loser went off the air. That’s almost half the country. The global figures are just as staggering. To tackle this issue, the UNICEF, WHO, and the World Obesity Federation came together for the Global Obesity Forum 2025. As UNICEF’s Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity, Pau Gasol was also there.

Gasol shared the update from the forum on his Instagram Stories a day after the conference. “Yesterday at the Global Obesity Forum 📍” he wrote with a picture of himself and other panelists.

It was followed with his and the Gasol Foundation’s mission to advocate for healthy living. “With more than 8 billion people in the world, we have more than 8 billion reasons to promote health.”

The Forum brings together prominent advocates like Pau Gasol with medical experts and global leaders to find solutions like food systems, equal access to nutrition and health resources, and human rights.

Gasol has been promoting healthy living and helping families in Los Angeles, where he currently lives and in his home country of Spain since retiring in 2021. Although he had been passionate about this subject for most of his NBA career too. In 2013, Gasol and his brother, former NBA player Marc Gasol, founded the Gasol Foundation in the US and in Spain to help reduce childhood obesity rates through the promotion of sports and physical activity, healthy eating, sleep quality, and the emotional wellness of families.

UNICEF named him an ambassador to represent the Spain campaign to improve health in 2003 and appointed him as a global representative in 2019. When he was appointed to that role, UNICEF reported 40 million children around the world was overweight.  Gasol wants to change these figures amid everything he’s doing.

Pau Gasol’s got a lot on his plate

The Lakers legend has hosted events for kids to try more sports and enjoy a more athletic life multiple times this year alone. All while fulfilling duties with the Olympics committee.

In May, Gasol hosted a charity golf tournament to raise funds to fight childhood obesity. And who participates in this one? The legendary Spaniard and Gasol’s old friend, Rafael Nadal.

Gasol’s friendship goes beyond NBA circles. Especially when he comes from a country with some superstar athletes. Besides Nadal, he’s formed a close friendship with Carlos Alcaraz. World no. 1 Alcaraz will lead Spain at the Davis Cup Finals this November. Sounds like the right time to consult an NBA champion for advice.

He met up with Gasol at the Laver Cup in San Francisco earlier this week. During their chat, Gasol promised to be at the Davis Cup to cheer Alcaraz on in person.

He’s not forgotten his Lakers during all this. He’s got some high expectations from LeBron and Luka this season. Although part of his attention is also on Anthony Edwards and the whispers of a potential MVP season. Yet we’re more likely to see Pau Gasol fighting against obesity at more campaigns than NBA and tennis games.