More than half of adults and a third of children worldwide are expected to be overweight or obese by 2050, straining healthcare systems and increasing the risk of serious diseases.
Andrew Gregory and Kat Lay report for The Guardian.
In short:
- A new analysis in The Lancet finds 2.11 billion adults and 493 million young people are currently overweight or obese, a sharp rise from 1990.
- Obesity rates are expected to climb dramatically, particularly among children, with numbers forecast to increase 121% by 2050.
- The burden will be heaviest in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems are less equipped to manage obesity-related illnesses.
Key quote:
“The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure.”
— Prof. Emmanuela Gakidou, lead author and University of Washington professor
Why this matters:
Obesity is linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems. Rising rates among children mean these diseases could emerge at younger ages, leading to shorter life expectancy and increased medical costs. The crisis is particularly severe in developing countries, where access to treatment is limited. Without intervention, millions more will face preventable health risks, deepening economic and social inequalities.
As researchers look for the reasons to explain the global rise in obesity, one thing has become clear — chemicals in our food, packaging, personal care items and other products are playing a key role. To learn more about this aspect of the obesity epidemic, check out this related EHN coverage:
