Obesity poses big threat to world
Updated: 2015-04-14 07:35
By Richard Dobbs and Boyd Swinburn(China Daily)
|
||||||||
A boy struggles while doing a sit-up at a summer camp to tackle child obesity in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on July 14, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Tao/Asianewsphoto] |
Today, more than 2.1 billion people - nearly 30 percent of the global population - are overweight or obese. That is nearly two and a half times the number of adults and children who are undernourished. Obesity is responsible for about 5 percent of deaths worldwide.
This crisis is not just a pressing health concern; it is also a threat to the global economy. The total economic impact of obesity is about $2 trillion a year, or 2.8 percent of world GDP - roughly equivalent to the economic damage caused by smoking or armed violence, war and terrorism, according to a new research by McKinsey Global Institute.
And the problem is likely to worsen. If the current trend continues, almost half of the world's adult population will be overweight or obese by 2030.
This global epidemic is not confined to advanced countries. As emerging economies climb out of poverty, people there are becoming fatter. More than 60 percent of the world's obese people live in developing countries, where rapid industrialization and urbanization are boosting incomes and therefore calorie intake. In India and China, the prevalence of obesity in cities is 3-4 times the rate in rural areas.
Indeed, the evidence suggests that developing countries are especially vulnerable to the epidemic. Obesity rates tend to explode in countries where food was once scarce and suddenly became plentiful.
To make matters worse, in countries with limited public healthcare services, the cost of healthcare falls directly on the afflicted households. As a result, obesity can lock in poverty and perpetuate inequality.
Through a review of 500 intervention trials around the world, MGI has identified 74 potential interventions that could be used to address obesity. These include subsidized school meals, urban design that encourages walking, better nutritional labeling, restrictions on the advertising of high calorie food and drinks, and fiscal measures.
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |