World Obesity on the Rise

The Lancet published a new study of obesity today that found:

  • If the current trend continues, more than half of U.S. residents will be obese by 2030.
  • In Japan and China, 1 in 20 women is obese, compared with 1 in 10 in the Netherlands, 1 in 4 in Australia and 7 in 10 in Tonga.
  • Worldwide, around 1.5 billion adults are overweight.  Half a billion are obese.
  • Among children worldwide, 170 million are classified as overweight or obese.
  • Obesity comprises between 2 to 6 percent of healthcare costs in many countries.

Reuters has a good summary of the findings.

 

Image credit: Reuters

5 thoughts on “World Obesity on the Rise”

  1. One consolation is that the obese won’t cost as much when they get older because they won’t live that long!

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