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A recent analysis published in The Lancet reveals a sobering reality: more than 1 billion people worldwide are now estimated to be living with obesity, marking a significant increase over the past three decades. The chronic disease, characterized by excess body fat that impairs health, now affects approximately one-eighth of the global population.
The study, conducted by global health researcher Majid Ezzati and colleagues, examined data from over 3,600 population-based studies spanning nearly 200 countries and territories. Their analysis encompassed 222 million participants and revealed a troubling trend of rising obesity rates, particularly among adults and children.
Key findings from the analysis include:
- In 2022, almost 900 million adults worldwide had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, classifying them as having obesity.
- Among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, nearly 160 million were estimated to have obesity.
- From 1990 to 2022, the prevalence of obesity doubled in women, tripled in men, and quadrupled in children and adolescents.
The implications of this epidemic are profound, as obesity significantly increases the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and susceptibility to diseases like COVID-19. Moreover, obesity can limit mobility and negatively impact mental health.
According to Arya Sharma, an obesity expert from the University of Alberta, societal-level lifestyle changes, such as reduced sleep, increased stress levels, and greater consumption of processed foods, are contributing factors to the obesity crisis. Limited access to affordable healthy foods also exacerbates the problem.
Majid Ezzati emphasizes the urgent need for governments and societies to address this issue through prevention strategies and improved medical care. While new anti-obesity medications show promise, their high costs and limited accessibility pose challenges to widespread adoption.
The alarming rise in global obesity rates underscores the importance of prioritizing public health initiatives and implementing policies that promote healthy lifestyles and equitable access to nutritious foods.
