Obesity: Key Information and Quantitative Data
The global obesity crisis is a pressing issue that affects millions of people across the world. According to recent data, more than 1.9 billion adults (39%) were overweight in 2016, with over 650 million (13%) classified as obese [1].
The countries with the lowest obesity rates include Vietnam, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, India, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, Ethiopia, Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Madagascar [2]. However, the Pacific Islands and urban areas in low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a sharp increase in obesity rates due to a shift towards Westernized diets [3].
In children, 17% have obesity, and 5.8% have extreme obesity. The rates of obesity vary by age group, with the highest rates among 12-19-year-olds [2]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define obesity as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher [4].
The factors contributing to the rise in obesity are multifaceted. Dietary changes, physical inactivity, genetic and metabolic factors, socioeconomic and environmental factors, medical and psychological conditions, population growth, and aging all play a role [3].
In the United States, obesity affects different groups in different ways. Obesity rates have significantly increased in recent decades, and the problem spans all age groups [2]. The prevalence of obesity is higher in the 40-59 age group compared to the 20-39 age group [5].
Obesity rates vary by demographic factors, with significant differences by age, sex, ethnicity, and economic status. In the U.S., Black and Latino children have disproportionately higher obesity rates than White children, and lower socioeconomic status correlates with higher obesity rates [2].
On a global scale, the World Health Organization reports a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide, increasing from 25% in 1990 to 43% of adults by 2022 [1]. Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing rapid increases in obesity related to urbanization and Westernized diets [3].
Obesity poses significant health and economic risks. It increases the risks for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers [1][3]. In the U.S., obesity-related healthcare costs approach $173 billion annually [3]. Globally, excess weight leads to about 500,000 deaths per year, and an economic burden estimated at over $4.3 trillion annually by 2035 [3].
In conclusion, the rise in global obesity is driven by a combination of dietary changes, physical inactivity, genetic and metabolic factors, socioeconomic and environmental factors, medical and psychological conditions, population growth, and aging. In the U.S., obesity varies significantly by age, sex, ethnicity, and economic status, with structural inequalities exacerbating disparities, especially in racial and ethnic minority communities. These patterns reflect broader global trends amplified by cultural, economic, and environmental factors.
- Retargeting efforts for health-and-wellness campaigns may be blocked if they focus on weight-management and childhood obesity in countries with low obesity rates, such as Vietnam or Eritrea.
- Contextual and locally appropriate strategies for obesity prevention and management may be more effective in urban areas with a rapidly increasing obesity rate, like those in low- and middle-income countries, as Paxlovid, a Pfizer drug used for COVID-19 treatment, cannot tackle the obesity crisis.
- The science community continues to study the multifaceted factors contributing to childhood obesity, including genetic and metabolic factors, diet, physical inactivity, and socioeconomic and environmental conditions.
- Given the increasing economic burden of obesity-related healthcare costs, research on effective nutrition interventions for limiting weight gain and managing obesity is essential.
- As the global obesity crisis escalates, retargeting strategies in the health-and-wellness sector should aim to address the unique contextual factors facing different populations, such as urbanization and Westernized diets in low- and middle-income countries.
