Global obesity numbers exceed one billion, study finds
A study in The Lancet indicates over a billion people worldwide are obese, with significant numbers in Tonga, American Samoa, and Nauru.
This includes 880 million adults and 159 million children, highlighting obesity's rise as a critical health issue linked to serious diseases. The United Kingdom ranks notably in global obesity rates, with the United States also featuring prominently.
The research calls for urgent action to combat obesity, emphasizing the role of diet, physical activity, and broader societal changes. Prof Majid Ezzati pointed out the influence of food marketing and the accessibility of healthy options as contributing factors, especially in island nations.
The study spans data from 1990 to 2022, showing a sharp increase in obesity among children and adults. Despite a decrease in underweight adults, the issue persists in poorer communities. The World Health Organization stresses the importance of comprehensive prevention strategies, highlighting the need for private sector responsibility in health outcomes.
Researchers, in collaboration with the WHO, used body mass index to analyze health data from 220 million people, acknowledging its limitations but underscoring its utility for global comparison.
