Obesity and Overweight

Key Facts

• As of 2022, 1 in 8 people globally are living with obesity.
• Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990; adolescent obesity has quadrupled.
• In 2022, 2.5 billion adults were overweight; 890 million were obese.
• 43% of adults were overweight, 16% were obese in 2022.
• In 2024, 35 million children under 5 were overweight.
• Over 390 million children/adolescents (5-19 years) were overweight in 2022, including 160 million with obesity.

Definitions

• Overweight: Excessive fat deposits.
• Obesity: Chronic disease with excessive fat impairing health.
• BMI (Body Mass Index): Used to diagnose overweight/obesity; calculated as weight (kg) / height (m²).

Adults

• Overweight: BMI ≥ 25
• Obesity: BMI ≥ 30

Children Under 5 Years

• Overweight: Weight-for-height > 2 SD above WHO median.
• Obesity: Weight-for-height > 3 SD above WHO median.

Children Aged 5-19 Years

• Overweight: BMI-for-age > 1 SD above WHO median.
• Obesity: BMI-for-age > 2 SD above WHO median.

Prevalence

• In 2022, 43% of adults worldwide were overweight; prevalence doubled since 1990.
• Obesity prevalence among adults doubled from 1990 to 2022.
• Overweight is increasing in low/middle-income countries.
• Africa: Overweight children under 5 increased by 12.1% since 2000.
• Asia: Almost half of overweight/obese children under 5 lived here in 2024.

Causes

• Caused by energy imbalance (diet vs. physical activity).
• Influenced by obesogenic environments, genetic factors, and lack of early health system interventions.

Health Consequences

• Higher BMI linked to 3.7 million deaths in 2021 from NCDs like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• Childhood/adolescent obesity leads to early NCDs and psychosocial issues.
• Economic impact: Global costs may reach $3 trillion by 2030.

Double Burden of Malnutrition

• Coexistence of undernutrition and obesity in low/middle-income countries.
• Children exposed to unhealthy, affordable foods while facing undernutrition.

Prevention and Management

• Preventable/manageable through lifestyle changes and health interventions.
• Recommendations include healthy diet, physical activity, limiting screen time, and promoting breastfeeding.
• Structural changes needed in society for healthier food environments.

WHO Response

• WHO targets no increase in childhood overweight and halting obesity rise by 2025.
• Endorsed WHO Acceleration plan to stop obesity, promoting policies for sustainable change.
• Industry role: Reduce unhealthy ingredients in processed foods, promote nutritious options, and regulate marketing.

References

1. Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.
2. Economic impacts of overweight and obesity report, 2022.