The situation is increasingly worrying. In 2023, 2.6 billion people in the world will be obese or overweight, i.e. 38% of the world’s population. According to the forecasts of the world obesity federation (an alliance of health groups and scientists, including the WHO), this figure could reach 4 billion people (51%) by 2035, if current trends are not reversed. More than half of the world’s population would be overweight or obese.
To be clinically qualified as obese, the person must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2. One in seven people are affected today. If nothing is done, this figure could well rise to a quarter of the world’s population by 2035, or 2 billion people in a situation of obesity.
Which countries are most affected? “The greatest increases will be seen in low- and middle-income countries where limited resources and lack of preparedness will create a perfect storm that will have the greatest negative impact on people with obesity.”indicated Pre Louise Baur, president of the Federation, to the Guardian. This mainly concerns countries in Asia and Africa such as Niger, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Nigeria or even the Central African Republic, but France is not left out? According to the League Against Obesity, nearly 50% of French people are overweight or obese.
A 100% increase in boys under 18
The report is particularly concerned about young people, among whom obesity could increase even faster than among adults. In 2035, it could be twice as high as in 2020 in this population. But even worse: obesity could increase by 100% in boys under 18 and 125% in girls of the same age. In total, 208 million boys could be affected compared to 175 million girls.
Childhood obesity will increase by over 100% from 2020 to 2035 #WorldObesityDay
Read about the work of CO-CREATE to give young people a voice in policy and research on childhood obesity prevention.
Read about our new tools aiming to do just that here: https://t.co/WKpuI26GSopic.twitter.com/ZmigPgetLL— WCRF International (@wcrfint) March 4, 2023
“A clear warning” according to Pre Louise Baur. “By not tackling obesity today, we risk serious repercussions in the future.”she continues, adding that he was “particularly disturbing” to see rates rise so rapidly in children and adolescents.
The Federation calls on the various states concerned to take these figures into account and to take measures “ambitious and coordinated”including restrictions on the marketing of foods high in fat, salt or sugar, placing front-of-package labels and providing healthy foods in schools to combat rising obesity.
Source :
- World Obesity Atlas 2023, March 2, 2023