New Delhi (NVI): Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, according to a World Health Organisation report which says that most of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.
The WHO report further states that obesity is preventable and treatable.
Every year, March 4 is observed across the world as World Obesity Day with a view of promoting practical solutions to end the global obesity crisis. The day was previously observed on the 11th of October.
According to WHO, obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975 and have increased almost five times in children and adolescents.
In 2016 report around 1.9 billion adults and 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese.
Obesity is a major risk factor for various noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and various forms of cancer. Raised body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases.
The main cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.
Overweight and obesity and their related noncommunicable diseases are largely preventable.
WHO is responding to the global obesity crisis, monitoring global trends and prevalence. The development of a broad range of guidance addressing the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity.
