The World Obesity Federation issued a dire warning on the eve of World Obesity Day (March 4) that, without intervention, more than 4 billion people—half the world’s population—will be overweight or obese by 2035.
The World Obesity Federation has released a report predicting that by 2035, more than 4 billion people will be overweight or obese. One out of every four people is overweight or obese.
According to the report, by 2035, the global obesity rate among children and adolescents may have doubled from what it was in 2020, with the number of obese boys reaching as high as 200 million and the number of obese girls reaching as high as 175 million.
Likely, higher consumption of processed foods and weaker policies on medical care and food control will significantly impact low and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa.
The federation has called the current trend “worrisome,” warning that by 2035, the annual cost to society from health problems caused by obesity will increase to US$4 trillion 320 billion (approximately RM193,374,000,000), accounting for 3% of global GDP.
To prevent the medical, social, and economic costs of obesity from being passed on to future generations, Federation President Bauer has urged governments to act swiftly. Bauer encouraged countries to take preventative measures as soon as possible, warning that low-income nations would be hit hardest.
Next week, the UN’s decision-makers and member states will see the report.
