More than half of all adults and a third of children, teenagers, and young adults globally are projected to be overweight or obese by 2050, according to a recent study published in The Lancet journal. The study, covering over 200 countries, warns that obesity levels are set to accelerate rapidly, especially in low-income nations.
The study reveals that 2.11 billion adults aged 25 and older, along with 493 million children and young people aged 5 to 24, are currently overweight or obese — a significant rise from 731 million adults and 198 million youth in 1990. If no action is taken, the number is expected to reach 3.8 billion adults and 746 million young people by 2050. Alarmingly, obesity rates among children and youth may surge by 121%, surpassing 360 million by 2050.
“The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” said Prof. Emmanuela Gakidou, lead author from the University of Washington.
Children and Young People Worst Affected
The report highlights that children and young people are the worst affected by this obesity epidemic. Obesity rates in children and teenagers have more than doubled from 8.8% to 18.1%, while young adults under 25 have seen a rise from 9.9% to 20.3% in recent decades. Experts warn that childhood obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer later in life.
Countries in the Obesity Race
If trends continue, global rates of overweight and obese adults would rise to about 57.4% for men and 60.3% for women by 2050. In terms of raw numbers, China (627 million), India (450 million), and the USA (214 million) will have the largest obese populations.
Nigeria’s obesity rates may triple from 36.6 million in 2021 to 141 million by 2050, making it the fourth-largest obese population. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience the fastest rise, with obesity rates projected to increase by over 250%.
The others in the top 8 include: Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million) and Egypt (41 million).
The Health Risks of Obesity
Obesity significantly raises the risk of life-threatening health conditions. Carrying excess weight makes individuals more prone to cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, joint and muscle disorders, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems. Each extra pound adds strain to the body, increasing vulnerability to chronic illnesses and lowering overall quality of life.
How to Curb Obesity
Experts suggest that obesity can be controlled through:
- Adopting a healthy diet
- Regular physical activity
- Avoiding junk food and sugary drinks
- Public awareness campaigns
India has already initiated steps to tackle the issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an Anti-Obesity Drive to promote fitness and healthy living. He emphasized the importance of balanced diets, reducing unhealthy fats, and staying physically active to combat non-communicable diseases linked to obesity.
The findings serve as a wake-up call for governments to implement targeted interventions, especially for vulnerable populations, to prevent the looming obesity crisis.
