More than a billion people worldwide are obese: WHO

More than one billion people around the world are facing the challenge of obesity, reveal the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) backed by an international group of researchers.

This alarming data, published in an article in The Lancet, signals a significant shift in global health dynamics, with obesity surpassing underweight in prevalence in most nations, including low- and middle-income nations that previously struggled. against malnutrition.

The study, based on data from more than 220 million people in more than 190 countries, highlights a worrying trend: While obesity rates are stagnating in many wealthier nations, they are rising rapidly elsewhere. This phenomenon, known as the “double burden” of malnutrition, poses serious challenges to public health around the world.

“Obesity is no longer just a problem in developed countries. It is a global concern,” warns Majid Ezzati, lead author of the study and professor at Imperial College London. Francesco Branca, head of nutrition at the WHO, supports this concern, highlighting that obesity has become a problem that affects people of all economic and geographic conditions.

The data reveals a significant increase in obesity rates, particularly among children and adolescents. Between 1990 and 2022, obesity rates in adults doubled, while among children and adolescents ages 5 to 19, they quadrupled. This increase is especially alarming given the association between obesity and numerous serious diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.

However, even amid this obesity epidemic, concerns about malnutrition remain. Although rates of underweight have decreased overall, they remain a major problem in many countries, especially those where obesity is also on the rise. This duality of health problems presents unique challenges to health systems around the world.

The unequal distribution of obesity and malnutrition is also evident globally. While some low- and middle-income countries are experiencing an alarming rise in obesity rates, other regions, such as parts of Europe, are seeing signs of stabilization or decline. These findings suggest the need for approaches tailored to the unique circumstances of each region to effectively address public health problems.

This data update, compiled by more than 1,500 scientists in the Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors Collaboration, provides an up-to-date and detailed picture of the global obesity situation. While the current numbers are similar to previous estimates, the magnitude of the problem remains concerning and requires concerted action at a global level to address the underlying causes and mitigate public health consequences.

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