A recent study warns that unless immediate action is taken, by 2050 nearly 60% of adults and a third of children worldwide will be overweight or obese. The findings predict extreme strains on global health systems and emphasize the need for political commitment to dietary improvements and lifestyle changes to combat this epidemic.
Researchers have warned that by the year 2050, nearly 60% of all adults and a third of children globally will face overweight or obesity issues unless significant governmental action is taken. This alarming prediction emerges from a comprehensive study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, which utilized data from 204 countries. The findings depict a critical health challenge that is escalating rapidly, indicating a severe global epidemic of overweight and obesity.
According to the study, the number of overweight and obese individuals worldwide increased dramatically from 929 million in 1990 to 2.6 billion in 2021. A lack of intervention could lead to 3.8 billion adults experiencing these issues by 2050—equating to approximately 60% of the global adult population. This situation will burden health systems significantly, especially considering that roughly a quarter of these individuals will be over 65 years of age at that time.
The report also forecasts a staggering 121% surge in obesity rates among children and adolescents worldwide. It highlights that North Africa and the Middle East, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean, are predicted to host a considerable portion of the obese youth population by 2050. However, it is not too late to address these challenges according to co-author Jessica Kerr, who emphasized the necessity for stronger political commitment to improve diets and living conditions.
The study reveals that more than half of the world’s overweight or obese adults currently reside in just eight countries, which include China, India, the United States, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia, and Egypt. Although poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity are key contributors to this epidemic, uncertainties remain regarding the underlying causes, particularly among social groups experiencing deprivation. The research derives from data collected as part of the Global Burden of Disease study, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The study underscores an impending health crisis linked to obesity that requires urgent governmental action to mitigate. With projections estimating that nearly 60% of adults and a third of children will be affected by 2050, and acknowledging the significant pressure on healthcare systems, proactive measures involving dietary and environmental changes are crucial. Strong political commitment to improving nutrition and physical well-being is essential to address these challenges.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
