Obesity Epidemic

Extracted Attributes

• Definition

  Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher

• Primary Drivers

  Refined carbohydrates, sedentary lifestyles, and rapid urbanization

• Annual Mortality

  5 million deaths from related non-communicable diseases

• Global Prevalence (2022)

  1 billion people (13% of the global population)

• Primary Measurement Indicators

  Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and bioelectrical impedance

• Projected Economic Impact (2035)

  $4.32 trillion per year (3% of global GDP)

Timeline

• Global obesity rates begin a trend that would see them triple over the following decades. (Source: undefined)

  1975-01-01

• Estimated 857 million adults worldwide are classified as overweight. (Source: undefined)

  1980-01-01

• The World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognizes obesity as a global epidemic. (Source: undefined)

  1997-01-01

• The American Medical Association (AMA) officially classifies obesity as a disease. (Source: undefined)

  2013-06-01

• The mean BMI in 128 countries is recorded as being above the threshold for overweight. (Source: undefined)

  2014-01-01

• Global obese population reaches over 1 billion people, representing 13% of the world population. (Source: undefined)

  2022-01-01

• Projected date for 1.9 billion adults (25% of the global population) to be affected by obesity. (Source: undefined)

  2035-01-01

• Projected date for 3.8 billion adults (over 50% of the global population) to be living with overweight or obesity. (Source: undefined)

  2050-01-01

Epidemiology of obesity

Obesity has been observed throughout human history. Many early depictions of the human form in art and sculpture appear obese. However, it was not until the 20th century that obesity became common — so much so that, in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic and estimated that the worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2, and in June 2013 the American Medical Association classified it as a disease. In countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), one child out of five is overweight or obese. Once considered a problem only of high-income countries, obesity rates are rising worldwide. In 2014, the mean BMI in 128 countries was above the threshold for overweight. Globally, there are now more people who are obese than who are underweight, a trend observed in every region over the world except parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In 2013, an estimated 2.1 billion adults were overweight, as compared with 857 million in 1980. Of adults who are overweight, 31% are obese. Increases in obesity have been seen most in urban settings. Since body fat can be measured in several ways, statistics on the epidemiology of obesity vary between sources. While BMI is the most basic and commonly used indicator of obesity, other measures include waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, skinfold thicknesses, and bioelectrical impedance. The rate of obesity increases with age at least up to 50 or 60 years old. Sex- and gender-based differences also influence the prevalence of obesity. Globally there are more obese women than men, but the numbers differ depending on how obesity is measured.

Web Search Results

• OBESITY: OVERVIEW OF AN EPIDEMIC - PMC

  ## SYNOPSIS Despite growing recognition of the problem, the obesity epidemic continues in the U.S., and obesity rates are increasing around the world. The latest estimates are that approximately 34% of adults and 15–20% of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Obesity affects every segment of the U.S. population. Obesity increases the risk of many chronic diseases in children and adults. The epidemic of obesity arose gradually over time, apparently from a small, consistent degree of positive energy balance. Substantial public health efforts are being directed toward addressing obesity, but there is not yet clear evidence of success. Because of the complexity of obesity, it is likely to be one of the most difficult public health issues our society has faced. [...] The obesity epidemic in the U.S. continues. In the last few years, obesity rates have not increased significantly in some U.S. subpopulations, but it is too soon to tell whether this means that the epidemic has reached maximum levels in these populations.1, 2 There is clear evidence that obesity rates are increasing in much of the rest of the world.3, 4 A large amount of research is now directed toward better understanding and treating obesity, and substantial public health efforts are directed toward reducing obesity rates. To date, however, there is little evidence of success in reversing the epidemic in the U.S. ## Prevalence of obesity [...] ## Summary The obesity epidemic in the U.S. has proven difficult to reverse. We have not been successful in helping people sustain the eating and physical activity patterns that we believe are needed in order to maintain a healthy body weight. There is growing recognition that we will not be able to sustain healthy lifestyles until we are able to address the environment and culture that currently support unhealthy lifestyles.

• Obesity: Prevalence, causes, consequences, management ...

  Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing global public health challenges of the 21st century. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, with over 1 billion people classified as obese in 2022, representing 13 % of the global population. Since 1975, obesity rates have tripled, and projections indicate that by 2035, around 1.9 billion adults—approximately 25 % of the world's population—will be affected. Looking further ahead to 2050, it is estimated that 3.80 billion adults, representing more than half of the anticipated global adult population, will be living with overweight or obesity. The increasing burden of obesity is associated with an alarming rise in non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and multiple cancers, collectively [...] cardiovascular diseases, and multiple cancers, collectively contributing to over 5 million deaths annually. Obesity is driven by complex interactions between genetic, behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, with rapid urbanization and globalization accelerating the consumption of high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles. While historically prevalent in high-income nations, obesity rates are now rising most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with over 70 % of obese individuals living in developing nations. The economic costs of obesity are staggering, with projections estimating a global financial burden of $4.32 trillion per year by 2035, equivalent to 3 % of the global GDP. This article explores the epidemiology, determinants, health implications, and [...] the epidemiology, determinants, health implications, and policy responses to obesity, emphasizing the urgent need for multisectoral strategies to mitigate its impact. Public health initiatives, taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, improved food regulations, and increased physical activity promotion are essential components of evidence-based interventions. Addressing the obesity crisis requires global cooperation to implement sustainable, long-term strategies targeting both prevention and treatment.

• Controlling the global obesity epidemic

  Obesity is a complex condition, one with serious social and psychological dimensions, that affects virtually all age and socioeconomic groups and threatens to overwhelm both developed and developing countries. In 1995, there were an estimated 200 million obese adults worldwide and another 18 million under-five children classified as overweight. As of 2000, the number of obese adults has increased to over 300 million. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; in developing countries, it is estimated that over 115 million people suffer from obesity-related problems. [...] © Credits # Controlling the global obesity epidemic At the other end of the malnutrition scale, obesity is one of today’s most blatantly visible – yet most neglected – public health problems. Paradoxically coexisting with undernutrition, an escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity – “globesity” – is taking over many parts of the world. If immediate action is not taken, millions will suffer from an array of serious health disorders. [...] Skip to main content

• Epidemiology of obesity

  Obesity has been observed throughout human history. Many early depictions of the human form in art and sculpture appear obese. However, it was not until the 20th century that obesity became common — so much so that, in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic and estimated that the worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2, and in June 2013 the American Medical Association classified it as a disease. [...] 1. ^ a b "www.worldobesity.org" (PDF). Global prevalence of overweight and obesity. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016. 2. ^ Haslam D (March 2007). "Obesity: a medical history". Obes Rev. 8 (Suppl 1): 31–6. doi "Doi (identifier)"):10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00314.x. PMID "PMID (identifier)") 17316298. 3. ^ Caballero B (2007). "The global epidemic of obesity: An overview". Epidemiol Rev. 29: 1–5. doi "Doi (identifier)"):10.1093/epirev/mxm012. PMID "PMID (identifier)") 17569676. 4. ^ "Obesity and overweight". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020. [...] ### India [edit] Main article: Obesity in India Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in India in the 21st century, with morbid obesity affecting 5% of the country's population. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and NGOs such as the Indian Heart Association have been raising awareness about this issue. Urbanization and modernization has been associated with obesity. In Northern India obesity was most prevalent in urban populations (male = 5.5%, female = 12.6%), followed by the urban slums (male = 1.9%, female = 7.2%). Obesity rates were the lowest in rural populations (male = 1.6%, female = 3.8%).

• The ROOTS of Obesity | World Obesity Federation

  The obesity epidemic has emerged in the last 40 years, and mirrors these changes in the food environment. Once associated with Western diets, the increase in processed foods is now seen in many low- and middle-income countries and is undermining local diets and contributing to the rapid rise in obesity.