Obesity has been a long going health issue around the world. According to new global predictions, more than a billion people will be obese by 2030. This means that no country is on track to reach the WHO’s 2025 goal of eradicating obesity. The new data comes from the fourth world obesity atlas, which was published by the World Obesity Federation. Obesity is likely to affect one out of every five women and one out of every seven men by 2030.
Obesity has been highest in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. By 2030, over half of the population in the United States, will be obese. According to the report, 74 million African women will be obese in 2030, compared to 26 million in 2010, and 27 million males in 2030. In addition, by 2030, half of all women in South Africa are likely to be obese by 2030.
Johanna Ralston, in a report by The Guardian, said, “The numbers in our report are shocking, but what is even more shocking is how inadequate our response has been. Everyone has a basic right to prevention, treatment, and management access which works for them. Now is the time for joined-up, decisive and people-centered action to turn the tide on obesity.”
Obesity responsible for almost 22% of Africa’s preventable deaths
Obesity is accountable for nearly a quarter (22%) of Africa’s preventable deaths from non-communicable diseases. At the same time, malnutrition remains a crucial problem in the area. The World Food Programme advised earlier this month that an estimated 13 million people in the Horn of Africa are going hungry every day as a result of a severe drought.
Dr. Adelheid Onyango, at the WHO’s regional office for Africa, said while the biggest problem across the continent is undernutrition, “we cannot close our eyes to [obesity] anymore. It is already recognized as a public health problem. Our obesity rates have been low in the past, so the incremental growth will be dramatic because of that. We are seeing a shift in the consumption of unhealthy diets,” she added.
The World Obesity Atlas also analyzes countries based on their obesity preparation, which includes health systems. High-income countries have better types of equipment to deal with the situation. While lower-middle- and low-income countries are not ready, putting up skepticism about obesity’s impact on already vulnerable populations.