Obesity rates have risen globally, with the steepest increases occurring in the second half of the 20th century. The World Health Organization considers it an epidemic caused by increased consumption of high-calorie foods and low physical activity. Obesity is associated with serious health problems, and WHO recommends weight management programs and public policy measures to encourage healthy lifestyles.
The prevalence of obesity worldwide has increased over time, with the steepest increases occurring in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Prior to this period, obesity was a rare phenomenon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has reached “epidemic proportions” worldwide and is expected to continue to rise. The sharp increase in the obesity rate in most developed nations is attributed to the increased consumption of high-calorie foods and low levels of physical activity. Due to the health risks associated with obesity, WHO recommends that countries establish weight management programmes.
For most of history, obesity was rarely observed; in the last century, however, it has become commonplace. The steepest increases in the prevalence of obesity have occurred since the mid-1960s, with rates in many countries doubling or tripling. In the United States, for example, the obesity rate in adults aged 20 to 74 increased from 13.4% in 1962 to 35% in 2006, and with levels rising even more rapidly in children. WHO estimates that over 300 million adults are clinically obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) over 30, and considers the problem an epidemic. The increasing prevalence of obesity is present in both developing and developed countries, in both rural and urban areas, and at all socioeconomic levels; rates are expected to continue to rise unless large percentages of the population make lasting lifestyle changes.
The increase in the prevalence of obesity is attributed to two main causes. One is the increased availability and consumption of high-calorie foods at all levels of society. As populations around the world move towards more urban lifestyles and experience rising incomes, foods high in fat and sugar are being eaten in greater quantities and displacing healthier alternatives. Another cause is the decreased physical activity that has accompanied the diffusion of technology. Smaller percentages of the population work in physically demanding jobs and leisure activities have shifted towards more sedentary forms of relaxation.
The increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide has been accompanied by serious health problems. Obesity is associated with a significantly higher incidence of medical conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, some cancers and breathing difficulties. Rising rates of obesity and related health conditions significantly increase healthcare costs worldwide. WHO recommends that countries make resources available for medical care for those affected. He also advised nations to implement public policy measures to encourage healthy lifestyles, including increasing the availability of low-fat, high-fiber foods and promoting opportunities for daily exercise.
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