By 2050, more than half of middle-aged people worldwide may suffer from overweight. This is based on the current statistic that one in three adolescents is living with excess weight. This was reported by The Guardian.
The problem of overweight can pose serious health risks in the healthcare sector, leading to early death and the early onset of various diseases.
According to analyses presented by The Lancet, the problem of overweight has escalated in humans over the past 30 years due to various factors. Here are the contributing factors to the problem:
Energy imbalance: The excess energy intake from food compared to the energy expenditure of the body is considered the main cause of overweight.
Poor diet: The consumption of high-carbohydrate products (baked goods, sweets) as well as unhealthy foods like fast food leads to overweight.
Lack of physical activity: An unhealthy lifestyle, characterized by low physical activity, is one of the common causes of overweight.
Genetic factors: Genes are one of the main factors that can cause overweight. Some genetic mutations may predispose individuals to eat more.
Endocrine diseases: Conditions such as hypothyroidism and insulinoma can contribute to overweight.
Psychological factors: Stress and depression can increase cortisol levels, leading to overweight.
Social and environmental factors: Parents' attitudes towards poor nutrition and social habits.
Research shows that currently, 2.11 billion people aged 25 and older and 493 million people aged 5 to 24 are overweight. This is an increase of 731 million and 198 million, respectively, compared to figures from 1990.
According to projections, by 2050, more than half of adults over 25 (3.8 billion) and 746 million people under 24 may be overweight.
The study highlights that the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is growing at an alarming rate, with the number of people living with obesity potentially reaching 360 million by 2050.
The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight is a profound tragedy and monumental social failure, says Emmanuela Gakidou, a professor at the University of Washington.
The figures presented in the study vary from country to country. More than half of those suffering severely from overweight live in just eight countries:
- China (402 million);
- India (180 million);
- USA (172 million);
- Brazil (88 million);
- Russia (71 million);
- Mexico (58 million);
- Indonesia (52 million);
- Egypt (41 million).
According to analyses, by 2050, one in three children and adolescents in regions such as North Africa and the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean is expected to live with an "overweight crisis".
Researchers noted that in the future, children will gain weight faster than their ancestors, with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and cancers appearing at an earlier age.
For example, in high-income countries, 7% of men born in the 1960s were obese by the age of 25. This figure is projected to rise to 16% for those born in the 1990s and 25% for those born in 2015.
The problem of overweight also significantly impacts the economies of countries. According to an analysis by the World Obesity Federation, this poses a serious risk for low-income countries.
