Obesity has become the most common form of malnutrition in the majority of countries, affecting more than one billion people, according to a recent study. The research, published in The Lancet, highlights the alarming rise in nutritional imbalances, with childhood obesity quadrupling over the past three decades.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified obesity as a global epidemic, surpassing the impact of Covid-19. While the coronavirus affected about 774 million people worldwide, obesity already afflicts over one billion individuals. The study reveals that excess weight, a significant risk factor for numerous diseases, is now the prevailing form of malnutrition in most countries.
The prevalence of obesity in children has quadrupled over the past three decades, while the number of obese adults has nearly tripled during the same period. This trend indicates a concerning shift towards unhealthy food balances globally. The decrease in underweight individuals, attributed to improvements in living conditions and economic development, has been overshadowed by the alarming escalation of overweight and obese populations.
Both insufficient nutrition and excess weight pose significant health risks. Malnutrition, in its various forms, is associated with a range of health problems and an increased risk of premature death. Obesity, in particular, is a known risk factor for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. In childhood, excess fat not only heightens the risk of obesity in adulthood but also accelerates the onset of mechanical and metabolic issues.
The comprehensive study, drawing data from over 3,600 research studies and analyzing trends from 1990 to 2022, underscores the simultaneous decline in underweight individuals and the surge in obesity across both affluent and low-income countries. The findings emphasize the global challenge in addressing the escalating obesity crisis, particularly in light of the successful control of undernutrition in many regions.
Fernando Rodríguez Artalejo, a professor of public health at the Autonomous University of Madrid and one of the study’s authors, cautions that despite the effective management of undernutrition in many parts of the world, no country has succeeded in curbing the rise of obesity. The study serves as a stark reminder of the concerning trajectory of this prevalent form of malnutrition, which continues to escalate worldwide.
