More than half the world's population will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035 if action is not taken, the World Obesity Federation warns. More than four billion people will be affected, with rates rising fastest among children, its report says.
Low or middle-income countries in Africa and Asia are expected to see the greatest rises.
The report predicts the cost of obesity will amount to more than $4tn (£3.3tn) annually by 2035. The report in particular highlights the rising rates of obesity among children and teenagers, with rates expected to double from 2020 levels among both boys and girls.
Source: https://cdn.britannica.com
The effects of obesity's prevalence on lower-income countries is also highlighted in the report. Nine of the 10 countries with the greatest expected increases in obesity globally are low or lower-middle income states in Africa and Asia. Reasons include trends in dietary preferences towards more highly processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, weaker policies to control food supply and marketing, and less well-resourced healthcare services to assist in weight management and health education. Lower-income countries are "often the least able to respond to obesity and its consequences".
The findings estimate that rises in obesity rates around the world will have a significant impact on the global economy, equating to 3% of global Gross Domestic Product.
As in climate change, the developed countries with their McDs, KFCs, Baskin Robbins, A&Ws and many more create the mess. Unless you have a global sugar/carbo tax on all these companies the situation will only get worse. If you have the funds from the sugar/carbo tax then you can channel the bulk of it to healthcare and preventive steps. Otherwise, as usual the poor and uneducated will suffer!
Reference:
Half the world on tract to be overweight by 2035? Alys Davis, BBC News, 4/3/23
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