Tue Mar 04 07:16:27 UTC 2025: ## Global Obesity Crisis to Explode by 2050 Unless Urgent Action Taken, Study Warns

**London, UK** – A new study published in The Lancet has issued a stark warning about the escalating global obesity crisis. Researchers predict that nearly 60% of all adults and a third of all children will be overweight or obese by 2050 unless governments implement significant interventions.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), analyzed data from 204 countries. It found that the number of overweight or obese individuals has skyrocketed from 929 million in 1990 to 2.6 billion in 2021. This trend, if unchecked, will lead to 3.8 billion overweight or obese adults by 2050 – almost 60% of the global adult population. The researchers also project a 121% increase in childhood and adolescent obesity. Critically, one-third of all obese young people will reside in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Latin America and the Caribbean by 2050.

The study highlights that eight countries – China, India, the United States, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia, and Egypt – already house over half of the world’s overweight or obese adults. The World Obesity Atlas, published separately, reinforces these findings, suggesting that by 2035, a vast majority of those affected will live in low- and middle-income countries, with only 7% of nations possessing adequate healthcare systems to manage the crisis.

Lead author Emmanuela Gakidou described the situation as “a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” emphasizing the overwhelming strain this epidemic will place on global health systems. Co-author Jessica Kerr stressed the urgent need for stronger political commitment to address dietary habits, improve nutrition, encourage physical activity, and create healthier living environments.

While poor diet and sedentary lifestyles are key factors, researchers acknowledge a lack of complete understanding regarding the underlying causes, particularly the disproportionate impact on socially deprived groups. Experts are calling for immediate and comprehensive action to avert this impending public health catastrophe.

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