A recent report published in The Lancet reveals that over a billion people worldwide are grappling with obesity, as of 2022. This staggering figure comprises approximately 880 million adults and 159 million children. Notably, Tonga and American Samoa exhibit the highest rates of obesity, with 70-80% of adults affected.

The UK ranks 55th highest for men and 87th for women in terms of obesity prevalence among countries. The study emphasizes the urgent need for substantial changes in addressing obesity, given its association with severe health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Examining global obesity rates, the research finds that the US ranks 10th highest for men and 36th for women, while India and China exhibit relatively lower rates. Professor Majid Ezzati from Imperial College London attributes the rise in obesity to factors like the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods versus healthier alternatives, particularly evident in island nations.

The report underscores a significant shift in the global obesity landscape over the past few decades, with obesity rates quadrupling among children and adolescents, and more than doubling in women and nearly tripling in men. However, underweight remains a pressing concern, especially among impoverished communities, despite a 50% decrease in its prevalence among adults.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stresses the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood through lifestyle modifications and adequate healthcare. He highlights the necessity for collaborative efforts involving governments, communities, and the private sector to address this global health challenge.

Dr. Guha Pradeepa from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation warns that global issues such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts could exacerbate both obesity and underweight conditions by increasing poverty and the cost of nutritious foods. This, in turn, may lead to insufficient food in some regions and a shift towards less healthy dietary choices in others.

The study, conducted by a network of over 1,500 researchers in collaboration with WHO, utilized body mass index (BMI) measurements from more than 220 million individuals aged five and above to assess obesity prevalence globally, despite variations in data quality across countries.