A recently conducted global study by the World Health Organization and a group of international researchers has revealed that obesity is becoming a significant health crisis.
As per the study results, more than one billion people globally are obese, and this has become a fundamental issue for many serious health problems.
The study further revealed that obesity has become increasingly prevalent in low- and middle-income societies that previously struggled with malnutrition, which is indeed alarming.
The World Health Organization has identified several factors contributing to this situation. These factors include the widespread availability of high-calorie and low-nutrient foods, increased sedentary lifestyles, and the prevalence of advertising and marketing unhealthy foods.
The consequences of obesity can be devastating, leading to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, amongst others.
It is crucial to address the issue of obesity as a global health priority. Governments, healthcare organisations, and individuals must work together to raise awareness about the dangers of obesity, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage physical activity.
Doing so can prevent and reduce the burden of obesity and its associated health problems.
Underweight goes away – overweight goes up
According to a recent study, which has been conducted based on the data and information of more than 220 million people in 190 countries, it has been revealed that obesity is becoming increasingly common in many affluent countries.
In addition, the study has shown that underweight is decreasing globally. Still, it has also identified a new condition that is causing numerous health problems: the simultaneous development of underweight, overweight, and obesity.
The study’s findings, analyzed by Majid Ezzati, a professor at Imperial College London, indicate that obesity is rising in certain countries and societies. At the same time, it has already become a pervasive issue in many wealthy nations.
This trend is particularly concerning given the negative health consequences associated with obesity, such as an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
Moreover, the study highlights that while underweight decreases globally, it is still a significant issue in certain regions.
The development of underweight, overweight, and obesity as a new condition further underscores the need for greater awareness and action around global health issues, particularly those related to nutrition and lifestyle.
The legacy of the world’s rich
Obesity is a global problem that has been escalating since the 1990s. In the past, it was predominantly thought of as a problem for the rich, but now it is affecting people from all walks of life and worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity in adults has more than doubled between 1990 and 2022 and quadrupled amongst children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years.
The WHO has expressed great concern over the rising trend of obesity amongst children, which could pose a severe threat to their health in the future.
Obesity can lead to diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, and other severe health conditions, making it a matter of utmost importance to address this issue on a global scale.
However, while the issue of obesity is gaining momentum, it is essential not to forget that hundreds of millions of people around the world still do not have enough to eat.
Malnutrition is a severe problem, especially in the poorest regions of the world, where people cannot afford nutritious food, and inflationary economic conditions worsen the situation.
Despite the challenges, there is some good news. From 1990 to 2022, the proportion of underweight children born has decreased significantly.
The proportion of underweight boys fell from 16.7% to 10.8%, and the proportion of undernourished girls decreased in 44 countries. Additionally, 80 countries have succeeded in reducing the number of underweight male children to a minimum.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food and to address the issue of obesity worldwide.
160 million children – 880 million adults suffer from obesity
However, the number of children and young adults with obesity, which was 31 million in 1990, is expected to exceed 160 million by 2022. A total of 880 million adults will be affected by obesity by 2022
. It includes 504 million women and 376 million men. In 1990, the figure was recorded as 195 million. From 1990 to 2022, that growth will nearly quadruple among adults.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, has indicated that urgent measures must be taken to control obesity. He has proposed measures such as discouraging products with high sugar concentration, imposing high taxes on those products, and establishing a global action to promote healthy food.
He has also introduced measures such as making new laws to discourage the production of unhealthy food, especially since it is essential for the states to encourage the private sector to produce healthy food.
Many recommendations from the head of the World Health Organization
The issue has become a significant concern worldwide, and the statistics are alarming. The head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the rate of obesity amongst children and adolescents will increase fourfold from 1990 to 2022. In addition, the number of adults with obesity is expected to reach 880 million in 2022, which is a significant increase from 1990.
It is noteworthy that obesity is more prevalent amongst women, with more than twice as many women as men being affected by this condition. However, the number of men with obesity has tripled from 1990 to 2022, which highlights the need for more attention to be paid to this issue amongst men as well.
It is concerning that even school-age children and teenagers are facing the health problem of obesity, which was previously considered to be a problem only affecting adults. By 2022, it is estimated that 160 million children and adolescents will suffer from obesity worldwide.
Both obesity and underweight are nutrition-based health problems, and it is crucial to address them to ensure the overall well-being of individuals. Majid Ezzati, a senior professor at Imperial College London in the UK, has described the growing prevalence of obesity as a grave matter that requires immediate action.
