According to recent estimates published in The Lancet, obesity affects over a billion people worldwide, with countries such as American Samoa having the highest obesity rates.
Data from 2022 show that about 880 million adults and 159 million children are afflicted. Surprisingly, island nations such as Tonga and American Samoa have the greatest obesity rates, with 70-80% of persons affected.
A comprehensive analysis of 190 countries ranks the UK 55th and 87th for men and women, respectively. The study emphasizes the crucial need for significant improvements in tackling obesity. This condition dramatically increases the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some malignancies.
In terms of global obesity rates, the United States ranks 10th highest for men and 36th highest for women, whereas India ranks 19th lowest for women and 21st lowest for men. China is ranked 11th lowest for women and 52nd lowest for males.
Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London emphasizes the importance of food availability and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods in specific places, particularly island nations. He is surprised by the swift global trend towards an obesity crisis.
