Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) — More than half of all people around the world will be overweight or obese within 12 years if current trends continue, according to a recent study.
The World Obesity Federation (WOF) projects that 51% of the global population — or over four billion people — will have to live with obesity by 2035 if prevention, treatment and support do not improve.
It also warned this will result in an economic impact reaching $4.32 trillion annually by that year, or 3% of the global gross domestic product — comparable to that of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
\”Every single region will see an increase in economic impact by 2035, with the Americas (North, Central and South America) shouldering the highest costs as a proportion of GDP (3.7%) and the Western Pacific region the highest total costs (US$1.56 trillion),\” the WOF said.
The federation’s World Obesity Atlas 2023 noted that one in four people — or nearly two billion — are on track to have obesity.
Compared to figures in 2020, the organization said cases of this disease among children could surge faster than among adults. Rates are seen to double to 208 million among boys (100% increase) and more than double to 175 million among girls (125% increase).
The WOF also noted that obesity levels are rising fastest in low- and lower-middle income countries.
\”Of the 10 countries with the greatest expected increases in obesity globally (for both adults and children), nine of those are from low or lower-middle income countries. All are from either Asia or Africa,\” it reported.
The organization stressed, however, that acknowledgment of the economic impact is \”in no way a reflection of blame on people living with obesity, which is a chronic, relapsing disease.\”
It said the condition is a result of \”high-level failures to provide the environmental, healthcare, food, and support systems\” that people need.
\”We simply cannot afford to ignore the rising rates of obesity any longer,\” said Johanna Ralston, CEO of the federation. \”We hope that the findings of this latest Atlas will convince policymakers and civil society to take action and make tangible commitments to change in their regions.\”
