A latest report from the World Obesity Federation (WOF) states that the global economic impact of overweight is projected to reach a staggering $4.32 trillion annually by 2035 if current trend persists.
The WOF report titled: World Obesity Atlas 2023 issued the sobering prediction in its latest report indicating that the prediction underscores the critical importance of implementing and effective prevention and treatment measures.
Also indicating that over half of the world’s population, or 51%, equivalent to over 4 billion people, could be living with obesity or be overweight by 2035, it gave indications that the number of people with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30Kg/m2 or higher, will rise from the current one in seven people to one in four reflecting a significant increase in obesity rates.
Similarly, the WOF report states that childhood obesity is a pressing concern with projections showing a more than doubling cases by 2035 compared to 2020 levels.
“The number of boys with obesity is expected to increase by 100% reaching 208 million, while girls with obesity could more than double, reaching 175 million, representing a 125% increase,” the report noted.
President of WOF, Professor Louise Baur, said there is need for urgency in addressing obesity particularly among children and adolescents. She highlighted the need for governments and policy makers to take proactive measures to prevent the passing of health, social and economic costs to future generations.
She also stressed the importance of examining root cases as well as inviting young people into solutions-finding measures.
On the part of the Director of Science at WOF, Rachel Jackson-Leach, ‘Lower and middle-income countries would experience the most significant increases in obesity rates in the light of further straining already causing scarce resources and preparedness.”
Also painting a graver picture, the WOF noted that the worrying trend is not limited to high-income countries. “Low and lower-middle income countries, particularly in Asia and Africa are witnessing rapid increases in obesity prevalence.
Of the top ten countries projected to experience the most significant increases in obesity rates among both adults and children, nine are classified as low or lower-middle income nations,” the report reveals.
On the economic ramifications of the crisis, the report indicates, “it is immense.” It then gave an estimation that by 2035, “the global economy could suffer annual losses of over $ trillion which is equivalent to nearly 3% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP), by rivaling the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In the light of these alarming projections, the WOF said it is urging nations to develop comprehensive national action plans to align with the new World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity that was adopted in 2022.
It says that the call to attention was intended to address the systemic issues contributing to obesity epidemic and to prevent further escalation among others.
Also speaking, the WOF, CEO, Johana Raiston, said the agency is emphasizing that the economic impact of obesity should not be attributed to individuals living with the disease alone. “Instead, it results from systemic failures to provide the necessary environmental, health, food, and support systems for healthy living.”
She called for a collective commitment to address these issues and tackle the rising rates of obesity which pose a significant threat to billions of people worldwide.
The WOF report concludes by saying that to raise awareness and advocate for change, the organization initiated a high-level policy event with the theme: “Changing Perspectives and Advancing National Action” during which it called for a robust international response by emphasizing the importance of national action plans and universal health coverage to implement the WHO’s latest obesity prevention and management recommendations.
