The number of obese people worldwide has exceeded one billion, according to a recent study published in "The Lancet". The most worrying element, apart from the numbers, is the fact that obesity as a phenomenon is affecting children, teenagers and adults, making the numbers jump in every corner of the world.
Obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) is viewed differently as a form of malnutrition in many countries. Obesity rates have increased twice as fast among children and adolescents globally compared to adults.
The study analyzed weight and height measurements of more than 220 million people in 200 countries between 1990 and 2022. In 2022, the results showed that more than 879 million adults are living with obesity among them 504 million women and 374 million men. The current number is four and a half times higher than the figures recorded in 1990.
For children and adolescents, estimates showed that 159 million of them were affected in 2022 by obesity, a significant increase compared to the 31 million registered thirty years ago. "It is very worrying that the obesity epidemic that was evident in adults in much of the world in 1990 is now reflected in school-aged children and adolescents," says Majid Ezzati, professor at Imperial College London.
Obesity is a chronic and complex condition that puts people at an increased risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
"This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from infancy to adulthood through diet, physical activity and appropriate care," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Experts agree that to create a healthier world, there is a need for comprehensive policies to address these challenges.
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Source: Euronews
