Survey from 1990 to 2022… “Double in 30 years”
The population of obese children and adolescents increases fourfold
Underweight adult population declines by 50%
A survey showed that the number of obese and overweight adults around the world is approximately 2.5 billion.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced this in a report titled ‘Global trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022’ published in the medical journal Lancet.
According to the report, as of 2022, the number of obese and overweight adults (age 18 or older) around the world is estimated at approximately 2.5 billion. 43% of the world’s adult population is obese or overweight.
Among them, 35%, or 890 million people, were found to be suffering from obesity. This figure amounts to 16% of adults worldwide.
WHO explained that about 1 billion people are suffering from obesity, including 159 million obese children and adolescents (ages 5 to 19) in the adult obese population. The obese adult population has doubled compared to 30 years ago, and the obese population of children and adolescents has quadrupled.
In particular, WHO analyzed that the proportion of the obese population among children and adolescents increased from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2022. The population of children and adolescents, including those who are obese and overweight, reached approximately 390 million.
While the obese population increased, the low weight adult population decreased by 50% since the 1990s. The researchers pointed out that in countries with low income, low weights remain urgent problems. The countries with the highest combined rates of obesity and underweight people are the Pacific and Caribbean regions, the Middle East, and island countries in North Africa.
WHO classifies overweight and obesity in adults using body mass index (BMI) calculated as weight (kg)/height² (㎡). A BMI of 25 or more is classified as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is classified as obesity.
Obesity can increase your risk of developing several health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
“This study shows the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life through adulthood,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “To achieve the global goal to curb obesity, governments and governments must work together.” “Cooperation between the community and the private sector is needed,” he said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.