Washington: A new study published in The Lancet has revealed that if current trends continue, more than half of all adults and a third of young people worldwide will be overweight or obese by 2050.
The research, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, examined data from over 200 countries and underscores an alarming acceleration in obesity rates, particularly in lower-income nations.
By 2021, nearly half of the global adult population—1 billion men and 1.11 billion women aged 25 or older—were overweight or obese. Compared to 1990, the proportion of men and women affected by these conditions has doubled. If these trends continue, projections indicate that by 2050, 57.4 percent of men and 60.3 percent of women will be overweight or obese.
China (627 million), India (450 million), and the U.S. (214 million) are expected to have the largest overweight or obese populations. However, sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a staggering 250 percent increase, with Nigeria’s numbers tripling to 141 million, making it the fourth-largest affected country.
The study recognises that emerging weight-loss medications could influence future figures but highlights the need for immediate government action to prevent overwhelming healthcare systems. Lead researcher Prof. Emmanuela Gakidou describes the global obesity epidemic as a “profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure.”
Young people are particularly at risk, with childhood and adolescent obesity rates more than doubling between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, one in three young individuals will be concerned. Co-lead author Dr. Jessica Kerr stresses the urgency of intervention, especially in Europe, South Asia, and regions where adolescent obesity is surging.
Health experts warn that without urgent, multi-faceted interventions, the crisis could lead to severe health consequences and immense financial pressure on future generations.
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