The consequences of the rising obesity rates are expected to be profound, particularly in terms of healthcare costs and economic productivity
A landmark global analysis published in The Lancet has raised alarms about the growing rates of overweight and obesity worldwide, with projections showing that, without urgent intervention, over half of all adults and a third of children will be living with these conditions by 2050. The comprehensive study, which includes data from India, highlights a staggering rise in the number of people affected by obesity, a trend that has more than doubled in the past three decades.
The study reveals that, as of 2021, approximately 2.11 billion adults aged 25 and older and 493 million children and adolescents aged 5-24 were classified as overweight or obese. This represents a sharp increase from previous decades, with obesity rates surging globally by 244 percent from 1990 to 2021. This alarming trend, the study warns, is likely to continue unless immediate and significant policy changes are implemented at local, national, and global levels.
While the problem is widespread, the distribution of obesity and overweight populations varies greatly across the world. Over half of the world’s adults living with overweight or obesity in 2021 were concentrated in just eight countries: China (402 million), India (180 million), the United States (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million). This concentration highlights both the global scale of the issue and the disproportionate burden faced by specific nations.
The study, which is part of the ongoing Global Burden of Disease Study, predicts that by 2050, nearly 60% of adults—approximately 3.8 billion people—and a third of all children and adolescents (746 million) will be living with overweight or obesity. This projection raises significant concerns about the long-term health and societal consequences of the obesity epidemic, with rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions predicted to follow.
A Growing Health and Economic Burden
The consequences of the rising obesity rates are expected to be profound, particularly in terms of healthcare costs and economic productivity. The study suggests that by 2050, one in four adults with obesity will be aged 65 or older, placing even greater strain on healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource countries. This demographic shift could exacerbate the already overburdened healthcare systems in these nations, as older individuals with obesity tend to experience more severe health complications, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, and mobility limitations.
Additionally, the study forecasts that nearly a third of young people with obesity (130 million) will live in two regions: North Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean. These areas, the study notes, will face serious health, economic, and societal challenges due to the high prevalence of obesity among their young populations.
Professor Emmanuela Gakidou, lead author of the study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, expressed deep concern over the growing obesity epidemic. “The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” Gakidou stated. “Governments and the public health community can use our country-specific estimates on the stage, timing, and speed of current and forecasted transitions in weight to identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment.”
Obesity in India and the Global Call for Action
In India, the findings of the study come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the rising prevalence of obesity during his 119th Mann Ki Baat address. He highlighted the link between obesity and various health issues, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, stressing the need to address this growing public health crisis.
“To become a fit and healthy nation, we will certainly have to deal with the problem of obesity,” Modi said, emphasizing that one in every eight individuals in India is affected by obesity, according to recent studies. The Prime Minister’s comments underscore the urgent need for preventive measures and the promotion of healthier lifestyles across the country.
The findings of the Lancet study provide a wake-up call to governments worldwide, urging them to implement urgent and far-reaching reforms. Without substantial policy action, the study warns, the global health crisis related to obesity will continue to escalate, resulting in untold suffering and significant economic burdens.
Australia’s Obesity Crisis: A Model for Global Trends
Sydney, March 4 (IANS) – In Australia, the rising rates of obesity among children and adolescents mirror global trends, with new research forecasting that half of Australian children and adolescents aged 5-24 will be obese or overweight by 2050. The study, conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), predicts that a third of this group will fall into the obesity category. According to the study, approximately 2.2 million Australian children and adolescents will be obese by 2050, with an additional 1.6 million expected to be overweight.
Australia’s rising obesity rates are among the fastest in the world, driven by factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and urban planning that discourages active lifestyles. The research indicates that girls in Australia are already more likely to be classified as obese rather than simply overweight, a trend that is concerning given the long-term health risks associated with childhood obesity.
Jessica Kerr from MCRI stressed that prevention is key to combating obesity, particularly since the condition rarely resolves after adolescence. “Children and adolescents remain a vulnerable population within the obesity epidemic,” Kerr said, warning that the long-term consequences of obesity could place a heavy burden on both the healthcare system and the economy.
Professor Susan Sawyer from MCRI called for immediate action, urging governments to adopt multi-sectoral strategies that address the root causes of obesity. These measures should include regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods, taxing sugary drinks, and investing in public health campaigns that promote healthier lifestyles.
A Global Challenge Requiring Urgent Action
The Lancet study paints a grim picture of the future if current trends continue, but it also offers hope. Experts agree that decisive action taken before 2030 could prevent many of the projected increases in obesity rates. Governments must invest in policies that promote healthy eating, active living, and improved access to nutritious foods and physical activity, particularly for children and young people.
The study also highlights that regions like the United Arab Emirates, Nauru, and Tonga are projected to have the highest prevalence of obesity, while countries such as China, Egypt, India, and the United States will face the highest numbers of children and adolescents living with obesity by 2050. The findings call for urgent global collaboration to address this growing health crisis and prevent the devastating consequences of an obesity epidemic that is already taking shape.
