The silent danger is growing: One in every eight people is affected

In recent years, obesity has ceased to be limited to developed countries and has become a public health threat worldwide. According to the latest research from the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2022, approximately one in every eight people globally is now living with obesity.

According to the same data, the number of adults struggling with excess weight has reached 2.5 billion, with approximately 890 million of them classified as obese.

Experts point out that obesity is not just about overeating, but a complex disease caused by many environmental and psychosocial factors, primarily genetic predisposition. While a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 fundamentally defines obesity, the imbalance between long-term energy intake and expenditure constitutes the primary cause of this disease. The WHO emphasizes that excessive fat accumulation in the body impairs organ function and overall health.

In addition to a serious increase in type 2 diabetes and heart disease, obesity also raises risks related to bone health, reproduction, and certain types of cancer. Issues such as sleep disorders and limited mobility are among the other significant factors that negatively affect quality of life.

THE RISE IN GLOBAL OBESITY CANNOT BE STOPPED

The increase recorded, especially over the last thirty years, is striking. While only 2 percent of children and adolescents aged 5-19 were obese in 1990, this rate rose to 8 percent in 2022. Looking at absolute numbers, the number of children and adolescents classified as obese has skyrocketed from 31 million to 160 million. It is estimated that a total of 390 million children in the 5-19 age group are overweight.

The growing wave of obesity is no longer just an issue for high-income countries. In recent years, the problem of excess weight has also manifested itself significantly in low- and middle-income countries. The number of overweight children under the age of 5 on the African continent has increased by approximately 12 percent since 2000. As of 2024, nearly half of all overweight or obese children in this age group are located on the Asian continent.

While 43 percent of adults are classified as overweight, 16 percent clearly suffer from obesity. This picture reveals that more effective measures must be taken on a global scale for healthy generations.

NEW STRATEGIES ARE NEEDED TO COMBAT OBESITY

The WHO points out that obesity and its accompanying chronic diseases are largely preventable. Preventive interventions should extend to every stage of life, starting from pregnancy for expectant mothers and including exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months after birth. Reducing screen time, avoiding sugary drinks, and increasing daily physical activity are among the recommendations.

Seeking to accelerate the fight against obesity, the WHO and its global partners launched strategies in 2012 aimed at halting the rise in childhood obesity and preventing the increase in diabetes and obesity by 2025. New plans extending to 2030 focus on promoting healthy eating habits globally and encouraging societies to lead an active life. In this direction, urgent calls for action are being made to raise awareness among both individuals and societies and to curb the rise of obesity through systematic measures.