It is predicted that overweight and obesity will continue to rise globally by 2050, according to a study published in The Lancet. It is estimated that around 60% of adults and approximately one third of children and adolescents will suffer from these conditions, representing a serious threat to public health.
Younger generations are experiencing a faster weight gain compared to previous generations, leading to obesity manifesting at younger ages. It is projected that by 2050, there will be more children aged 5 to 14 with obesity than with overweight. Meanwhile, among women aged 5 to 24 and men aged 15 to 24, overweight is expected to remain more prevalent than obesity.
Experts emphasize the urgency of implementing action plans in the next five years to curb the rise of obesity and help define new sustainable goals after 2030. However, the study acknowledges significant limitations regarding data availability and quality, as well as potential biases in self-reported information.
The report forecasts a dramatic increase in obesity among young people, with a prediction that the total number of affected children and adolescents will reach 360 million by 2050. It also highlights that the largest accelerations in obesity are projected in North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Regarding the adult population, it is expected that one quarter of adults with obesity by 2050 will be 65 years or older, which will place additional pressure on already saturated health systems and negatively impact countries with limited resources. The lead author of the study describes this situation as a "deep tragedy and a monumental social failure," stressing the urgent need to address this public health challenge globally.
