In a startling revelation, a recent study published by the prestigious Lancet medical journal has exposed a global health crisis, announcing that the number of people grappling with obesity has exceeded one billion worldwide. The findings, released in anticipation of World Obesity Day on March 4, underscore a distressing reality where the epidemic is disproportionately affecting impoverished nations. Notably, the surge is more pronounced among children and adolescents, outpacing the rate of increase observed in adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), paints a grim picture of the escalating obesity crisis. In 1990, the estimated count stood at approximately 226 million obese individuals across all age groups. Shockingly, this number has now skyrocketed to a staggering 1,038 million in 2022, a more than fourfold increase. Francesco Branca, the Director of Nutrition for Health at the WHO, expressed concern, stating that the crossing of the one-billion mark occurred \u201cmuch earlier than we have anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While medical professionals were aware of the rapid rise in obesity cases, the significant milestone was previously projected for 2030. Researchers arrived at these alarming estimates by analyzing weight and height measurements from over 220 million individuals in more than 190 countries, according to Lancet. In 2022, the study estimates that 504 million women and 374 million men were grappling with obesity, marking a substantial increase since 1990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report outlines a troubling trend, indicating that the obesity rate has nearly tripled for men (14 percent) and more than doubled for women (18.5 percent) over the past three decades. Moreover, it reveals that 159 million children and adolescents were living with obesity in 2022, a stark contrast to the approximately 31 million reported in 1990. This chronic and complex condition is linked to an elevated risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and, notably, an increased susceptibility to severe outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study highlights specific regions bearing the brunt of this global health crisis, with Polynesia, Micronesia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North Africa experiencing higher obesity rates than many affluent industrialized nations in Europe. Branca points to the swift lifestyle changes in low and middle-income countries as a contributing factor to this shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Majid Ezzati, the lead author of the study from Imperial College London, suggests signs of obesity plateauing in some southern European countries like France and Spain, particularly among women. However, he emphasizes that, in most countries, the prevalence of obesity surpasses that of underweight individuals, a statistic that has decreased since 1990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to these alarming findings, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscores the need for comprehensive strategies. He advocates for preventive measures and management of obesity from early life to adulthood through diet, physical activity, and proper healthcare. Moreover, he emphasizes the crucial role of the private sector, urging accountability for the health impacts of their products. The WHO supports initiatives such as taxing sugary drinks, restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and increasing subsidies for healthier food options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While experts suggest that new treatments for diabetes could aid in the fight against obesity, Branca urges caution, stating that these drugs are an essential tool but not a definitive solution. He underscores the importance of evaluating their long-term effects and potential side effects in addressing the persistent and pervasive issue of obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than one billion people around the world are now suffering from obesity with the number having more than quadrupled since 1990, according to a study released by the Lancet medical journal. The \u201cepidemic\u201d is particularly hitting poorer countries and the rate is growing among children and adolescents faster than adults, according to the study carried out with the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study, released ahead of World Obesity Day on March 4, estimated that there were about 226 million obese adults, adolescents and children in the world in 1990. The figure had risen to 1,038 million in 2022. Francesco Branca, director of nutrition for health at the WHO, said the rise past one billion people has come \u201cmuch earlier than we have anticipated\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While doctors knew obesity numbers were rising fast, the symbolic figure had previously been expected in 2030. Researchers analysed the weight and height measurements of more than 220 million people in more than 190 countries to reach the estimates, Lancet said. They estimated that 504 million adult women and 374 million men were obese in 2022. The study said the obesity rate had nearly tripled for men (14 percent) since 1990 and more than doubled for women (18.5 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some 159 million children and adolescents were living with obesity in 2022, according to the study, up from about 31 million in 1990. The chronic and complex illness is accompanied by a greater risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Being overweight increased the risk of death during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Countries in Polynesia and Micronesia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa have suffered more from the rise. \u201cThese countries now have higher obesity rates than many high-income industrialised countries, especially those in Europe,\u201d the study said. \u201cIn the past we have tended to think of obesity as a problem of the rich, now a problem of the world,\u201d said Branca, who highlighted the fast lifestyle changes in low and middle-income countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cvery rapid transformation of the food systems is not for the better\u201d. Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London, the study\u2019s lead author, said there were signs that obesity was levelling out in some southern European countries such as France and Spain, \u201cespecially for women\u201d. But he said that in most countries there are more people suffering from obesity than being under-weight, which the study said had fallen since 1990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While not eating enough is the main cause of being under-weight, eating badly is a prime factor for obesity. \u201cThis new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity, and adequate care, as needed,\u201d said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that \u201cgetting back on track\u201d to meet global targets for cutting obesity rates \u201crequires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products\u201d. The WHO has supported taxes on sugary drinks, limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and increasing subsidies for healthy foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts say that new treatments against diabetes can also help combat obesity. Branca said the new drugs \u201care an important tool but not a solution of the problem\u201d. \u201cObesity is a long-term issue and it is important to look at the impact of these drugs on long-term effects or side effects,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump would go after Iran and its proxies and would argue that he would have secured the release of American hostages held by Hamas. He said he would reject refugees from Gaza from entering the US, and he has called for ideological screenings for those entering the country. And once again, he vowed to bar immigrants who supported Hamas from entering the US, and would send officers to pro-Hamas protests to arrest and deport immigrants who publicly supported it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He avoided any reference to a Palestinian state or to his 2018 peace plan, which the Palestinians rejected and got tepid attention from Netanyahu back then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fact of the matter is that while Trump cannot but declare his support for Israel, he has yet to deal with a divided America on the issue of Palestinian self-determination and Israeli atrocities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will a second term for Biden change his approach to the conflict as he pushes to make the two-state solution happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One argument is that Biden would be free of pressure from Congress and lobbies and may want to repair his policy following the devastation incurred on the Palestinians, especially in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That depends on several factors, including how soon the war will end, what happens on the day after, the pressure from the international community and Arab allies to deliver a balanced approach to bring some justice to the Palestinians, and what happens in Israel itself after the war and whether Netanyahu and his extremist partners will prevail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, if Trump wins in November, he is unlikely to do anything quickly unless a regional war has erupted in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One should expect the unexpected from Trump. He may learn from Biden\u2019s foreign policy faults or opt to be the maverick that he is and decide that America has had enough of the Middle East and should focus on its real rival, China, instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite what \u201cGenocide Joe,\u201d as Arab-Americans and young Democratic voters are now calling him, does from now until November, his chances of winning will not be easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The courts may decide Trump\u2019s fate, and if he is convicted, his fight to stay in will depend on his ability to finance his campaigns, and legal precedents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lesser of two evils will be Biden and a Democratic administration. Still, in all cases, the political chaos ripping America apart should come as a wake-up call to the leaders of the Middle East to chart their own course. No one in the region, apart from a handful of zealots and bigots in Israel, wants to see a regional war flare up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And no matter how the war on Gaza ends, the world is coming to realize that a just and lasting solution to the Palestine issue must be reached to avoid another Gaza-like catastrophe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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