A major study published reveals that childhood and teenage obesity has increased ten-fold worldwide in the past 40 years, with 124 million young people now classified as obese. While obesity rates are stabilizing in some high-income countries like the UK, they are rising sharply in East Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands, where nearly half of young people are overweight.
Obesity is linked to serious health risks such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, and the global cost of obesity-related health problems is expected to exceed £920 billion annually by 2025. Researchers say the spread of cheap, unhealthy food is a major driver of this crisis.
Although underweight still affects more young people globally (192 million in 2016), trends show obesity may soon surpass it. Experts argue that education alone is not enough. Stronger measures such as sugar taxes, food regulation, and promotion of physical activity are needed to tackle the issue.
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🍉Child and teenage obesity levels have risen ten-fold in the last four decades.
In the UK, one in every 10 young people aged five to 19, is obese. Obese children are likely to become obese adults, putting them at risk of serious health problems, say experts. These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon.
The global cost of treating ill health caused by obesity will exceed £920bn every year from 2025. Obese the new 'norm' Although child obesity rates appear to be stabilising in many high-income European countries, including the UK, they are accelerating at an alarming rate in many other parts of the world.
Researchers believe wide availability and promotion of cheap, fattening food is one of the main drivers. The largest increase in the number of obese children and adolescents has been in East Asia. China and India have seen rates "balloon" in recent years.
The number of underweight girls and boys worldwide has been decreasing since a peak in the year 2000. This is a huge problem that will get worse. The World Health Organization called for tough action to crack down on "calorie-dense, nutrient-poor food" and promote more physical activity. So far, just over 20 countries around the world have introduced a tax on sugary drinks. Whilst education and information are important, deeper actions are needed to help us lower calorie consumption and achieve healthier diets.