Global Analysis Reveals Over One Billion People Living with Obesity WorldwideA comprehensive global analysis published in The Lancet has revealed that the total number of individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, living with obesity has exceeded one billion. The analysis, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights a concerning trend of escalating obesity rates across different age groups and regions.
The study estimates that the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has quadrupled since 1990, with the rate of obesity in 2022 being four times higher than that of 1990. Among adults, the rate of obesity has more than doubled in women and nearly tripled in men over the same period. In total, approximately 159 million children and adolescents and 879 million adults were living with obesity in 2022.
Conversely, the analysis also shows a decline in the prevalence of underweight individuals globally, particularly among children and adolescents. Between 1990 and 2022, the proportion of children and adolescents affected by underweight has decreased significantly, with a more than one-third reduction in boys and around one-fifth reduction in girls.
Both obesity and underweight are recognized as forms of malnutrition, each posing serious health implications for individuals. Professor Majid Ezzati from Imperial College London, the senior author of the study, expressed concern over the rising epidemic of obesity among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. He emphasized the urgent need to enhance the availability and affordability of nutritious foods to address both forms of malnutrition effectively.
The analysis indicates a significant shift in global malnutrition trends over the past three decades, with obesity emerging as the predominant form of malnutrition in many countries. The findings underscore the importance of implementing strategies to prevent and manage obesity from early life to adulthood, focusing on promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and comprehensive healthcare.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized the collective efforts required from governments, communities, and the private sector to combat the escalating rates of obesity. He highlighted the need for evidence-based policies and interventions to achieve global targets for addressing obesity effectively.
Despite these efforts, the study noted a simultaneous increase in the burden of both obesity and underweight in most countries, primarily driven by the rising obesity rates. However, some regions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, have witnessed a decline in the double burden of malnutrition, indicating potential progress in combating malnutrition.
The authors of the study cautioned that global challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts could exacerbate the rates of obesity and underweight by amplifying poverty and limiting access to nutrient-rich foods. They called for comprehensive policies to address these challenges and create a healthier global environment.
While acknowledging some limitations in the study, including data availability and age group disparities, the authors stressed the importance of continued research and surveillance to monitor and address the escalating rates of obesity and malnutrition worldwide. The findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat the global obesity epidemic and ensure better health outcomes for all individuals.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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