Projected Overweight Rates Among Australian Youth by 2050

Synopsis

A recent study reveals that by 2050, half of Australian youth aged 5 to 24 may be overweight or obese, with urgent action needed to combat this public health crisis. This alarming trend could have long-lasting effects on health and the economy.

Key Takeaways

50% of Australian youth may be overweight by 2050.
1.6 million Australians under 24 projected to be overweight.
Urgent multi-sector strategies needed to combat obesity.
Health complications from obesity will impact future generations.
Government action is crucial for prevention.

Sydney, March 4 (NationPress) A staggering half of Australian children and adolescents aged five to 24 are predicted to be classified as either obese or overweight by the year 2050, with one-third anticipated to fall specifically into the obesity category, according to fresh research released on Tuesday, coinciding with World Obesity Day.

The global analysis spearheaded by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) in Australia indicates a steep rise in obesity rates. With significant increases expected over the next five years, experts are urging immediate action to counter this emerging public health dilemma.

According to the study published in The Lancet, around 2.2 million children and adolescents in Australia will likely be classified as obese, while approximately 1.6 million individuals under the age of 24 will be overweight within the next quarter-century.

Globally, the prevalence of obesity among individuals aged 5 to 24 has surged threefold from 1990 to 2021, escalating by 244 percent to a total of 174 million. By 2021, approximately 493 million children and adolescents were recorded as either overweight or obese.

The researchers have urged governmental bodies to allocate resources towards urgent, multi-faceted five-year strategies that tackle the factors contributing to obesity, including nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle, and urban planning, which should be revamped to promote active living.

Australian youth have experienced one of the fastest transitions to obesity on a global scale. The study indicates that girls are currently more frequently categorized as obese compared to those classified as overweight.

"Children and adolescents are a vulnerable group within the obesity epidemic," stated Jessica Kerr from the MCRI, emphasizing that prevention is crucial as obesity rarely resolves post-adolescence.

This significant challenge will impose a multibillion-dollar burden on both the healthcare system and the economy, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Health complications associated with a high BMI, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, fertility issues, and mental health challenges, will not only impact children and adolescents presently but will also have enduring repercussions into adulthood. It may even heighten the likelihood of obesity and diminish the quality of life for future generations, Kerr cautioned.

The findings offer optimism that this trend can be averted through decisive interventions before 2030, she remarked.

The United Arab Emirates, Cook Islands, Nauru, and Tonga are projected to exhibit the highest prevalence, while China, Egypt, India, and the United States will account for the largest number of children and adolescents with obesity by 2050, according to the study.

MCRI Professor Susan Sawyer emphasized the need for governmental action by instituting regulatory measures such as levying taxes on sugary beverages, banning junk food advertisements aimed at children and youth, and financing nutritious meals in schools.