If nothing is done, the Global Obesity Federation predicts that by 2035, more than half of the world’s population would be classified as obese or overweight.
Obesity rates increasing
According to its estimate, more than four billion individuals would be impacted, with children experiencing the greatest rate increases.
Africa and Asia’s low- and middle-income nations are anticipated to experience the biggest increases.
By 2035, the cost of obesity is expected to exceed $4 trillion (£3.3 trillion) annually, according to the analysis.
Prof. Louise Baur, the president of the federation, characterised the report’s conclusions as a strong warning to nations to act now or suffer consequences in the future.
The report specifically notes the rising rates of obesity among kids and teenagers, with rates for both boys and girls anticipated to double from levels in 2020.
Economic consequences
The trend, according to Prof. Baur, is “especially concerning,” and governments and policymakers “across the world ought to do everything they can to avoid passing on the health, social, and economic consequences to the younger generation” by examining “the systems and root issues” that cause obesity.
The prevalence of obesity and its effects on low-income nations are also underlined in the report. Low-income or lower-middle-income states in Africa and Asia make up nine of the ten nations with the biggest anticipated rises in obesity worldwide.
Weak policies
Weaker policies to control food supply and marketing, higher levels of sedentary behaviour, changes in dietary preferences towards more highly processed foods, and inadequate funding for healthcare services to help with weight management and health education are some of the causes.
The ability of lower-income nations to address obesity and its effects is frequently the weakest.
According to the research, rising obesity rates globally are predicted to have a major impact on the international economy, amounting to 3% of the worldwide GDP.
The report notes that its awareness of the economic consequences of obesity “is in no way a reflection of the blame on those living with obesity”.
On Monday, the UN will be provided with the report’s data.
A person with a significant excess of body fat is referred to be obese in medicine.
Body mass index (BMI) is used in the report to make evaluations. By dividing an adult’s weight by their height squared, one may get their BMI.
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Source: BBC
