Reducing the global prevalence of overweight and obesity

Abstract

The issues associated with weight gain beyond the proper capacity of human physiology and associated health consequences are well understood. 1 Butland B Jebb S Kopelman P et al. Foresight: tackling obesities: future choices. Project report, 2007. Government Office for Science, London2007 Google Scholar Together with the technological revolution in food science and the sale of junk food, modern lifestyles and increasing disposable income play a part in this problem. Although appetite is necessary for survival, increased exposure to processed food is overwhelming people, 2 Swinburn BA Sacks G Hall KD et al. The global obesity pandemic: shaped by global drivers and local environments. Lancet. 2011; 378: 804-814 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2851) Google Scholar and effective strategies to reduce body-mass index (BMI) in populations are scarce. Understanding this situation, so that acceptable remedial action can be properly discussed and implemented, should be an essential part of public health policy in the next few decades. Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013Because of the established health risks and substantial increases in prevalence, obesity has become a major global health challenge. Not only is obesity increasing, but no national success stories have been reported in the past 33 years. Urgent global action and leadership is needed to help countries to more effectively intervene. Full-Text PDF