According to a survey, over a billion individuals are obese

A recent global investigation by The Lancet revealed the worrisome growth in obesity globally, which has surpassed one billion people. This research clarifies the change in malnutrition patterns after 1990, when underweight people have decreased and obesity has emerged as the most common type in several nations.

Between 1990 and 2022, there was a notable rise in the prevalence of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults, according to the data. Obesity rates more than doubled in women and almost tripled in men in adulthood, but they had quadrupled in children and adolescents. The percentage of underweight people, on the other hand, fell throughout the same time frame. Globally, 879 million people and 159 million children and adolescents suffered from obesity in 2022. This sharp rise emphasizes how quickly actions are required to solve the public health emergency.

To tackle obesity, it is necessary to increase the accessibility and cost of nutritious food options. The need of coordinated efforts to alleviate both types of malnutrition is emphasized by Professor Majid Ezzati. “It is very concerning that school-aged children and adolescents are now mirroring the obesity epidemic that was evident among adults in much of the world in 1990,” he said. However, hundreds of millions continue to suffer from undernutrition, especially in some of the world’s poorest regions. In order to effectively combat both types of malnutrition, we must greatly increase the accessibility and cost of wholesome food.”

The NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the WHO collaborated on the research, which analyzed data from more than 220 million people in 190 countries. Body mass index (BMI) was used to analyze worldwide changes in underweight and obesity between 1990 and 2022. Globally, rates of obesity in boys and girls increased significantly between 1990 and 2022, rising in almost every country. In contrast, the percentage of underweight males dropped from 16.7% to 10.8%, while the percentage of underweight girls dropped from 10.3% to 8.2%. For females, underweight rates decreased in 44 nations, whereas for boys, they decreased in 80 countries.

Obesity afflicted almost 160 million children and adolescents in 2022, up from 31 million in 1990. On the other hand, from 81 million girls and 138 million boys in 1990 to 77 million girls and 108 million boys in 2022, there were less underweight youngsters. Between 1990 and 2022, the percentage of adults who are obese more than quadrupled for women and almost tripled for males. Over the same time span, the percentage of underweight adults decreased by half.

Approximately 880 million persons worldwide suffered from obesity in 2022, up from 195 million in 1990. When combined with the 159 million children who will be obese in 2022, this amounts to almost one billion individuals who will be impacted by obesity. On the other hand, fewer people suffered from underweight in 2022—183 million women and 164 million men—than in 1990.

In most nations, the change in patterns has resulted in a transition where a greater proportion of individuals suffer from obesity than underweight. In over two-thirds of the world’s nations, the prevalence of obesity overtook the underweight rate for both girls and boys in 2022.

Between 1990 and 2022, India’s obesity rate increased dramatically, rising to 5.4% for males and 9.8% for women. India ranks relatively low in the world for the incidence of obesity, yet the country is facing increasing challenges in tackling this problem.

According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “this new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity, and adequate care, as needed.” Evidence-based policies and preventive measures are crucial in addressing obesity. “Governments and communities will need to work together to get back on track to meet the global targets for reducing obesity,” he said, adding that evidence-based policies from national public health organizations and the World Health Organization will help. Crucially, the business sector must cooperate and accept responsibility for the effects of its goods on health.”

The escalation in obesity prevalence is a complex issue that has to be addressed immediately on a local and worldwide scale. A comprehensive strategy that includes nutritional treatments, physical activity promotion, and legislative initiatives is required to address obesity. We can work toward a better future for all by giving public health programs top priority.