The epidemic of obesity has affected more than one billion persons globally, according to the recent Lancet study. The study has pointed out that obesity rates among children and adolescents worldwide increased four times from 1990 to 2022, while obesity rates among adults have more than doubled.
The study titled ‘Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults’ was published on February 29. The study says that the epidemic of obesity has affected poorer countries.
The study estimated that there were about 226 million obese adults, adolescents and children in the world in 1990. The figure has risen to 1,038 million in 2022. Francesco Branca, WHO’s Nutrition and Food Safety Department and one of the co-authors of the study, said the rise past one billion people has come “much earlier than we have anticipated.” The data of 1038 million persons living with obesity includes, 504 million adult women and 374 million men and about 159 million children and adolescents. Simply put, one in eight persons are obese.
“There are significant challenges in implementing policies aimed at ensuring affordable access to healthy diets for all and creating environments that promote physical activity and overall healthy lifestyles for everyone,” Branca said. “Countries should also ensure that health systems integrate the prevention and management of obesity into the basic package of services.”
“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,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Mentioning the interpretation of the study, Lancet states that, the combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. “A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.”
Poor eating habits, lifestyle changes causing havoc
Commenting about the study findings, Dr Sanjay Borude, consultant, obesity & bariatric surgery, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim – A Fortis Associate said that the study is a reflection of a complete change in children’s current day lifestyle. “From not eating the right food to being raised in a stressful environment, all of them are contributing to obesity in children. In most urban areas, children do not have enough space to play, making them physically inactive and increasing the risk of obesity,” said Dr Borude.
“Obesity is leading to an increase in metabolic conditions at a young age. Most children with obesity are not growing to become obese adults with multiple health complications from diabetes, blood pressure to cardiovascular conditions,” Dr Borude said.
Agreeing with him, Dr Vimal Pahuja, internal medicine specialist and head of metabolic clinic, LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai says that there is a complete change in food culture and people opting for fast food or junk food that is high in sugar and unhealthy, is resulting in obesity in both children and adults. He adds that a sedentary lifestyle, and overuse of gadgets has added up to the problem.
“People are looking for quick fixes and are choosing easily available unhealthy food. There are also a lot of pesticides and chemicals used in these foods that affect the hormones resulting in endocrine disruption. These changes are making people vulnerable to obesity,” said Dr Pahuja, who is also the founder member of International Metabolic Physicians Association (IMPA).
Dr Pahuja says that childhood obesity has become rampant because of the food that children are consuming now which is high in carbohydrates, high in fat, simple sugar and less vegetables and proteins. “This change is affecting their BMI, height, and weight. They are also getting diseases at a young age,” he said.
Lack of education on eating
According to Dr Pahuja, there is no education on the food that is given to the children. They need to know what is healthy and unhealthy to be able to make the right choices. “In India, there is a unique problem with malnutrition and obesity being present together, which means that the child is not getting the right nutrients, proteins, and minerals but they are suffering with obesity. They have less muscle mass, but they are obese,” Dr Pahuja pointed out.
Obesity is preventable
“Obesity is a preventable disease” says Dr Borude adding that there is not enough awareness about it. “We need to caution people about its risk factors and how it affects our bodies. People must change their lifestyle and must prevent it.” Doctors also raise concern that obesity is leading to an increase in metabolic conditions at a young age. “Most children with obesity are not growing to become obese adults with multiple health complications from diabetes, blood pressure to cardiovascular conditions,” Dr Borude said.
Takeaways
- Over one billion people have been affected by obesity globally, finds study.
- Obesity among children and adolescents worldwide has increased four times from 1990 to 2022.
- Poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles and environmental stress has increased the risk of obesity.
- Obesity is a preventable disease that needs more awareness. It can be prevented through lifestyle changes and good eating habits.
