More than one billion people worldwide are obese, including 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children, a number that continues to rise, according to the World Health Organization ( WHO).
In a new report released on World Obesity Day, the WHO estimates that by 2025 around 167 million people – adults and children – will be in poorer health because they are overweight. or obese.
The UN agency thus urges countries to do more to reverse this predictable and preventable health crisis.
According to the same source, obesity is a disease that affects most body systems. It affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints and reproductive system. It leads to a series of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, various forms of cancer, as well as mental health problems.
People with obesity are also three times more likely to be hospitalized with a Covid-19 infection.
Once considered a problem of high-income countries, overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings.
The key to obesity prevention is to act early, ideally even before a baby is conceived, says WHO, noting that good nutrition during pregnancy, followed by exclusive breastfeeding until birth. age of 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond, is the best solution for all infants and young children.
At the same time, countries must work together to create a better food environment so that everyone can access and afford healthy food, notes the same source.
Effective measures include limiting the marketing of foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt to children, taxing sugary drinks and facilitating access to healthy and affordable food. Cities and towns must make room for safe walking, cycling and recreation, and schools must help households inculcate healthy habits in children from an early age, WHO experts urge .
With MAP