London, England – A recent analysis published in The Lancet reveals that over 1 billion children, adolescents, and adults worldwide are living with obesity, marking it as the most prevalent form of malnutrition in many countries. The alarming statistic, as shared by Dr. Majid Ezzati from Imperial College London, highlights a rapid shift from underweight to obesity in low-income and middle-income countries. Surpassing previous estimates by the World Obesity Federation, the number of individuals affected by obesity has already exceeded 1 billion in 2022.
Conducted by a collaboration between the Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration and the World Health Organization, the global analysis evaluated over 220 million individuals from 190 countries, focusing on rates of underweight and obesity. Adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 were classified as obese, while those with a BMI below 18.5 were classified as underweight. Children and adolescents were categorized based on age and sex criteria.
According to Dr. Francesco Branca from the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, undernutrition and obesity stem from the same issue – a lack of access to a healthy diet. The analysis estimates that approximately 880 million adults and 159 million children were living with obesity in 2022, with obesity rates among children and adolescents quadrupling from 1990 to 2022.
The rise in obesity rates is no longer limited to affluent nations, as highlighted by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general. He emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts between governments, communities, and the private sector to address the global epidemic. Policy interventions, such as promoting breastfeeding, taxing sugary beverages, and regulating food marketing, are crucial in combating both obesity and underweight issues.
Experts advocate for a holistic approach to tackle malnutrition, with an emphasis on evidence-based policies and cooperation from various stakeholders. The urgency to address the obesity crisis calls for structural changes in food systems, public policies, and healthcare investments. By prioritizing access to nutritious food and implementing impactful interventions, countries can work towards achieving global targets in curbing obesity and improving overall public health.