By 2050, Over 50% of Adults and 33% of Children May Face Obesity Globally: Lancet Study
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Synopsis
The Lancet's latest comprehensive study reveals that rates of overweight and obesity in adults and youths have doubled since 1990, predicting dire consequences for global health if immediate actions are not taken. By 2050, over half of adults and a third of children may struggle with these issues.
Key Takeaways
- Overweight and obesity rates have doubled since 1990.
- 2.11 billion adults and 493 million youths affected worldwide.
- Urgent policy changes needed to combat this epidemic.
- Projected increase in obesity-related health risks.
- Significant burden on healthcare systems anticipated.
New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) A thorough global investigation has revealed that the incidence of overweight and obesity among adults (aged 25+) and children/adolescents (aged 5-24) has more than doubled over the past three decades (1990-2021), impacting 2.11 billion adults and 493 million young individuals globally in 2021, as stated in a study published in The Lancet.
The distribution of weight gain varies significantly worldwide, with over half of the adult population struggling with overweight or obesity in 2021 residing in just eight nations — China (402 million), India (180 million), the US (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million).
Without immediate policy reform and action, it is projected that approximately 60% of adults (3.8 billion) and a third (31%) of all children and adolescents (746 million) will be living with overweight or obesity by 2050, according to the comprehensive analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study BMI Collaborators, featured in The Lancet.
By 2050, it is expected that one in three young individuals with obesity (130 million) will reside in just two regions — North Africa and the Middle East as well as Latin America and the Caribbean — leading to significant health, economic, and societal repercussions, the study cautioned.
Moreover, nearly a quarter of the global adult population facing obesity in 2050 is anticipated to be aged 65 or older, exacerbating the strain on already overloaded health-care systems and causing disruptions to health services in resource-limited nations.
“This unparalleled global epidemic of overweight and obesity signifies a serious tragedy and a major societal failure,” remarked lead author Professor Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, US.
“Governments and the public health sector can utilize our country-specific estimates regarding the stage, timing, and speed of current and anticipated shifts in weight to pinpoint priority populations facing the greatest obesity burdens that necessitate urgent intervention and treatment, as well as those predominantly experiencing overweight who should be primarily targeted with preventive measures,” Gakidou added.
During the 119th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the escalating cases of obesity and the imperative to prevent it, as it can lead to numerous diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer.
“To transform into a fit and healthy nation, we must confront the issue of obesity. A study indicates that one in every eight individuals currently grapples with obesity,” PM Modi stressed.
The latest findings highlight the necessity for prompt action to avert an unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity.
Without urgent policy reforms and interventions, over half of the world’s adult population (3.8 billion) and a third of all children and adolescents (746 million) are expected to face overweight or obesity by 2050, posing an unparalleled threat of premature disease and death at local, national, and international levels.
The study anticipates a significant rise (121%) in obesity among the youth globally, with the total number of children and adolescents projected to reach 360 million by 2050 (an increase of 186 million from 2021). The substantial growth in obesity predicted between 2022 and 2030 underscores the urgent need for action.
