Comparing the number of obese kids aged five to 19 in 2016 to those in 1975, WHO confirmed that obesity has risen more than tenfold globally.
Figures have soared from less than 1% of obese kids in 1975 for both girls and boys to 6% for girls and 8% for boys in 2016. This accounts for a global shift from 11 million obese children to 124 million in less than 41 years.
As for high-income countries, obesity rates have stabilized in recent years, however, they remain “unacceptably high.”
“The trend predicts a generation of children and adolescents growing up obese and also malnourished. We need ways to make healthy, nutritious food more available at home and school,” Ezzati said.
Dr. Bull explained that in order to reduce child and adolescent obesity, countries should aim “to reduce consumption of cheap, ultra-processed, calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods.”
Overall, 2 billion people are now overweight worldwide.
