Public Health
women; 13.7% to 6.2% in men). In total, an estimated nearly 880 million adults
were living with obesity in 2022 (504 million women and 374 million men), four and a half times the 195 million recorded in 1990 (128 million women and 67 million men). Combined with the 159 million children living with obesity in 2022, this is a total of over one billion people affected by obesity in 2022. Despite global population growth, 183 million women and 164 million men were affected by underweight in 2022, 45 million and 48 million fewer, respectively, than in 1990. Overall, these trends have led to a transition
where in most countries, a larger number of people are affected by obesity than underweight. In 2022 obesity rates were higher than rates of underweight for girls and boys in around two thirds of the world’s countries (133 countries for girls and 125 countries for boys). “This new study highlights the importance of
preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity, and adequate care, as needed,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies. Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products.” In all age groups, the combined burden of
both forms of malnutrition increased in most countries between 1990 and 2022, driven by increasing obesity rates. However, the double burden of malnutrition declined in many countries in South and Southeast Asia, and in some countries in Africa for men, where the rate of underweight fell steeply. Dr. Guha Pradeepa, study co-author from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, warns that major global issues risk worsening both forms of malnutrition, saying: “The impact of issues such as climate change, disruptions
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine risk worsening both rates of obesity and underweight, by increasing poverty and the cost of nutrient-rich foods. The knock-on effects of this are insufficient food in some countries and households and shifts to less healthy foods in others. To create a healthier world, we need comprehensive policies to address these challenges.” The rise in double burden has been greatest in
some low-income and middle-income countries, particularly those in Polynesia and Micronesia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. These countries now have higher obesity rates than many high-income industrialised countries, especially those in Europe.
Regional/country data for adults l Countries with the highest prevalence of obesity in 2022 were the island nations of Tonga and American Samoa for women and American Samoa and Nauru for men in Polynesia and Micronesia, where more than 60% of the adult population were living with obesity.
These figures will be as alarming to parents as they are to the NHS – obesity affects every human organ system, and so at a young age can have a major impact on a child’s life, increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health issues and many other illnesses, which can lead to shorter and unhappier lives.
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Children and Young People.
l In the UK, the obesity rate increased from 13.8% in 1990 to 28.3% in 2022 for women and 10.7% to 26.9% in 2022 for men. The prevalence of obesity in the UK ranked 87th highest in the world for women and 55th highest in the world for men in 2022.
l In the US, the obesity rate increased from 21.2% in 1990 to 43.8% in 2022 for women and 16.9% to 41.6% in 2022 for men. The prevalence of obesity in the US ranked 36th highest in the world for women and 10th highest in the world for men in 2022.
l In China, the obesity rate increased from 2.0% in 1990 to 7.8% in 2022 for women and 0.8% to 8.9% in 2022 for men. The prevalence of obesity in China ranked 11th lowest (190th highest) in the world for women and 52nd lowest (149th highest) in the world for men in 2022.
l In India, the obesity rate increased from 1.2% in 1990 to 9.8% in 2022 for women and 0.5% to 5.4% in 2022 for men. The prevalence of obesity in India ranked 19th lowest (182nd highest) in the world for women and 21st lowest (180th highest) in the world for men in 2022.
l Countries with the highest prevalence of underweight in 2022 were Eritrea and Timor- Leste for women and Eritrea and Ethiopia for men, where more than 20% of the adult population were affected by underweight.
l In China, the underweight rate decreased from 11.2% in 1990 to 5.9% in 2022 for women and 9.5% to 2.9% in 2022 for men. The prevalence of underweight in China ranked 61st highest in the world for women and 97th highest in the world for men in 2022.
l In India, the underweight rate decreased from 41.7% in 1990 to 13.7% in 2022 for women and 39.8% to 12.5% in 2022 for men. The
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