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Reuters

More than a billion people globally are now considered obese, a condition linked to an increased risk of numerous serious health problems, according to updated estimates from the World Health Organization and an international group of researchers.
Obesity is so prevalent it has become more common than being underweight in most nations, including many low and-middle income countries that have previously struggled with undernourishment.
“A staggering number of people are living with obesity,” said Majid Ezzati, senior author of the paper published in The Lancet on Thursday and a professor at Imperial College London.
The findings, considered among the most authoritative of independent estimates, are based on data from more than 220 million people in more than 190 countries.

While obesity rates are plateauing in many wealthier countries, they are rising rapidly elsewhere, Ezzati added.
And while being underweight is becoming less common globally, in many countries it remains a significant issue, leaving increasing numbers of countries facing what is known as the “double burden” of malnutrition.
Overweight people lose 27kg on diabetes drug with diet and exercise: study
“In the past, we have been thinking of obesity as a problem of the rich. Obesity is a problem of the world,” said Francesco Branca, head of nutrition at the WHO, in a press conference.
Obesity rates for adults more than doubled between 1990 and 2022, and more than quadrupled among children and adolescents aged 5-19, the paper said.
Over the same period, the proportion of girls, boys and adults considered underweight fell by a fifth, a third and half, respectively, the analysis found.
Ezzati called the rise in obesity rates among children “very concerning”, mirroring a trajectory seen with adults since even before 1990. At the same time, he said, hundreds of millions still do not have enough to eat.
Being severely underweight can be very detrimental to childrens’ development and, at its most extreme, the condition can cause people to starve to death. Obese people are also at risk of premature death and disability given the link to the early onset of diabetes, heart and kidney disease, and a slew of other serious health conditions.
The rise in the double-burden has been greatest in some low- and middle-income countries, the paper said, including parts of the Caribbean and the Middle East.


In these countries, obesity rates are now higher than in many high-income countries, particularly in Europe. In some European countries like Spain, there are indications obesity rates could be starting to decline or at least stagnate, Ezzati added.
The updates are the first from the team since 2017, and were compiled by more than 1,500 scientists in the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. At that point, around 774 million people above the age of 5 were estimated to be living with obesity, a similar proportion – around 1 in 8 people – as the new figures.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said implementing measures such as taxes on high sugar products and promoting healthy school meals were needed to help tackle obesity rates.
Experimental obesity drug leads to 24.2 per cent weight loss in trial
“Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products,” he added.
Branca and Ezzati said potent new obesity drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound were tools that may help, but their cost and low availability risked further increasing inequality.
There were some limitations to the study, including a lack of data from after the Covid-19 pandemic, and use of body mass index (BMI) to determine obesity, described as an “imperfect” measure by the researchers.


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Health & Fitness

More than a billion people worldwide are obese, WHO study finds

Obesity is accompanied by a greater risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. File photo: TNS

The obesity rate is growing among children and adolescents faster than adults. Photo: Shutterstock

‘20 years younger’: man in China motivated to shed 50kg after seeing obese, paralysed man in hospital, shocking many online

A man in China has amazed many people on mainland social media by shedding 50kg to “look 20 years younger”.
Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Some people online joked that the man had used a photo of his son to compare with his own, such was the extent of his weight loss. Photo: Weibo

Chin up: at one point during his period of obesity, Ming believed sugar could solve all his problems. Photo: Weibo

Experimental obesity drug leads to 24.2 per cent weight loss in trial

Eli Lilly is conducting longer-duration phase 3 trials of retatrutide to see if weight loss might be further improved. Photo: Reuters

How Singaporean exec shed 30kg in a year: her 3 simple steps involving exercise, abstinence and recovery and why ‘there’s no going back’

The death of her mother helped 47-year-old Sudipa Sen realise she needed to take control of her health. Over the course of a year, she lost 30kg. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Sen in 2016, before her weight loss. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Sen in 2018. Over the years, work and family commitments meant she neglected her health and developed a few poor habits. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Sen in March 2019. Photo: Sudipa Sen

At first, even a 30-minute easy walk would leave Sen exhausted. She now walks for 90 minutes a day. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Sen lost 30kg in 12 months. Photo: Sudipa Sen

In November 2021, Sen started working out with a trainer twice a week. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Her new-found energy levels motivate Sen to stay on track. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Sen with her husband in Singapore. She credits her husband’s support for helping her lose weight. Photo: Sudipa Sen

Excess belly fat linked to higher dementia risk, research shows. Experts explain, and advise how to shrink your waist to protect your brain

Having excess belly fat increases the risk of suffering from dementia, especially for women, according to recent research. Experts explain the link and give tips on how to shrink your waist to prevent your brain shrinking. Photo: Shutterstock

A waist size of more than 88cm for women and more than 102cm for men may put brain health at risk. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Cyrus Raji, assistant professor of radiology and neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. Photo: Washington University School of Medicine 

David Merrill, director of the Pacific Brain Health Centre. Photo: Pacific Brain Health Centre

Amanda Corse, nutrition and wellness coach at Fizz Fitness in Tanzania. Photo: Instagram/@fizz.fitness

A Buddha bowl containing vegetables and other healthy ingredients, recommended by Corse of Fizz Fitness in Tanzania. Photo: Instagram/@fizz.fitness

These MRI images of two 61-year-old women’s bodies and brains show how one with a high level of abdominal fat (red border) has a higher level of brain atrophy than the other with a normal amount of abdominal fat. Photo: Cyrus Raji

News

World

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Obesity rate among children and adolescents worldwide growing faster than adults
WHO chief says measures such as taxes on high sugar products were needed


Obesity is so prevalent it has become more common than being underweight in most nations.


Healthy eating

World Health Organization (WHO)

More than a billion people worldwide are obese, WHO study finds

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Obesity rate among children and adolescents worldwide growing faster than adults WHO chief says measures such as taxes on high sugar products were needed

Obesity rate among children and adolescents worldwide growing faster than adults

WHO chief says measures such as taxes on high sugar products were needed