According to the World Health Organization, obesity is a global epidemic with more than 1.9 billion adults overweight or obese. In 2016, 41 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese.
The prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. In 2016, 13% of the world’s adult population (11% of men and 15% of women) were obese. The number of obese children and adolescents aged 5–19 years has risen dramatically from 4 to 38 million in just four decades.
Obesity is preventable but once it develops, it is difficult to treat. It often leads to other chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. These conditions can shorten a person’s life by an average of 3-10 years.
There are many factors that contribute to obesity including diet, physical activity level, genetics and social/economic factors. Diet is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for obesity. A diet high in energy-dense foods (foods that have a high calorie content per gram), such as fast food, processed snacks and sugary drinks can lead to weight gain. Physical activity helps use up energy that would otherwise be stored as fat; sedentary lifestyles are a major contributor to the rising rates of obesity globally. Genetics also play a role in weight regulation; some people may be predisposed to carrying excess weight due to their genes or family history. Social and economic factors such as poverty or lack of access to healthy food options can also lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain over time