Over one billion obese, says study

New study released by the Lancet shows that, in 2022, more than 1 billion people in the world are now living with obesity.
Worldwide, obesity among adults has more than doubled since 1990, and has quadrupled among children and adolescents (5 to 19 years of age).
The data also show that 43 percent of adults were overweight in 2022.
The study also shows that even though the rates of undernutrition have dropped, it is still a public health challenge in many places, particularly in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Countries with the highest combined rates of underweight and obesity in 2022 were island nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean and those in the Middle East and North Africa.
Malnutrition, in all its forms, includes undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight and obesity.
Undernutrition is responsible for half of the deaths of children under five and obesity can cause non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some cancers.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it has contributed to the data collection and analysis of this study.
The full dataset is now also disseminated through the Global Health Observatory.
“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 Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general.
“Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies.
“Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products.”
Obesity is a complex chronic disease.
The causes are well understood, as are the interventions needed to contain the crisis, which are backed by strong evidence.