Obesity Surpasses Underweight as Most Common Form of Malnutrition Worldwide, Study Finds
In a shocking revelation, a recent analysis published in the journal The Lancet has found that obesity has surpassed underweight as the most common form of malnutrition worldwide. The study, conducted by more than 1,500 researchers from the Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration and the World Health Organization, analyzed data from over 220 million people across 190 countries. The findings highlight the rapid transition from underweight to obesity in low-income and middle-income countries.
Dr. Majid Ezzati, senior author of the analysis and professor at Imperial College London, expressed surprise at how quickly this transition has occurred. Previous estimates by the World Obesity Federation predicted that there would be 1 billion people living with obesity by 2030, but that number has already been surpassed in 2022. “We’ve really been taken aback by how fast things have happened,” Dr. Ezzati said.
The analysis revealed that nearly 880 million adults and 159 million children lived with obesity in 2022. Obesity rates among children and adolescents have increased fourfold since 1990, while rates among adults have more than doubled. This alarming trend is a cause for concern, as obesity poses significant health risks.
Dr. Francesco Branca, director of the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, emphasized that undernutrition and obesity are two sides of the same problem – the lack of access to a healthy diet. He stated, “Undernutrition and obesity are two faces of the same problem, which is the lack of access to a healthy diet.”
The transition from underweight to obesity has been most evident in low-income and middle-income countries, particularly in Polynesia and Micronesia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. Surprisingly, none of the industrialized wealthy nations, except the United States, were at the top of the list for countries with the highest prevalence of obesity in 2022. This indicates a rapid shift in the global obesity landscape.
Dr. Ezzati stressed the need to address both underweight and obesity simultaneously, as they often coexist in many countries. He called for “double duty” policy interventions that tackle both forms of malnutrition. These interventions include promoting and supporting breastfeeding, taxing sweetened beverages, regulating food marketing targeting children, and providing nutritious food in public institutions like schools. Additionally, agricultural reform, urban design, and investment in primary healthcare can support these policies.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, emphasized the importance of government and community efforts to meet global targets for curbing obesity. He also called for the private sector to be accountable for the health impacts of their products.
Dr. Branca highlighted the need for public policy to improve monitoring of food manufacturers and ensure equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for everyone. He noted that over 3 billion people worldwide still cannot afford a healthy diet. “One of the roles of policy is to bring good health to people before they are wealthy,” Dr. Ezzati added.
Despite the alarming rise in obesity rates, there have been some positive developments in certain countries. France, for example, has implemented a national plan called Programme National Nutrition Santé that has led to a plateau in obesity rates. South American countries have started implementing front-of-package nutritional labeling with clear warnings about fat, sugar, and salt levels. Mexico has led the way in taxing sweetened beverages, and Chile has prohibited the marketing of processed foods to children.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions to address the global obesity crisis. The rapid transition from underweight to obesity in low-income and middle-income countries calls for immediate action to ensure access to a healthy diet for all. Governments, communities, and the private sector must work together to implement evidence-based policies that promote healthy lifestyles and combat the rising prevalence of obesity worldwide.
