The global obesity problem among children and young people is growing quickly. New research in The Lancet predicts that by 2050, one in three children will be overweight, and one in six will be obese. This means 746 million children and young people will be affected, including 356 million aged 5-14 and 390 million aged 15-24. These numbers are already alarming, as the rate of obesity in children has tripled from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, 493 million children and young people worldwide had obesity or were overweight.
Regional differences
The study, which looked at data from 204 countries and regions, shows big differences between areas. Islands like the Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga, and the UAE are expected to have the highest obesity rates, while Egypt, India, China, and the USA will have the most children with obesity. The increase will be fastest in regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North Africa, where large populations and limited resources make the situation more concerning. Australia is also seeing one of the world’s quickest rises in childhood obesity, with girls already more likely to be obese than overweight.
Health risks for children
Childhood obesity leads to serious health risks that can last a lifetime. Obesity rarely goes away after adolescence, and children who are overweight now are more likely to face health problems later, such as breathing issues, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental health struggles, and fertility problems.
A turning point is possible
Despite these troubling trends, there is hope. Researchers believe the situation can still be reversed, but action is needed before 2030. Immediate steps, such as national obesity monitoring programs and addressing environmental factors, are essential. Governments must take strong action, like taxing sugary drinks, encouraging active city planning, and banning junk food ads targeting children. Without these measures, the world risks a generation facing major health problems and significant societal costs.
Source: Scientias
