A recent study published in the British medical journal The Lancet reveals that by 2050, more than half of adults and a third of children and adolescents worldwide will be overweight or obese. This alarming trend poses serious threats to public health and healthcare systems across the globe.

According to the report, the number of overweight or obese adults increased from 731 million in 1990 to 2.11 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach 3.8 billion by 2050. Among children and adolescents, the increase is projected to be even more dramatic, with cases doubling to reach 746 million.

The study indicates that more than half of affected adults reside in China, India, the United States, and Brazil. Additionally, childhood and adolescent obesity rates are expected to rise by 121%, heightening the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

In the United Kingdom, forecasts suggest a significant rise in childhood obesity rates, potentially reaching 18.4% among girls and 15.5% among boys by 2050.

Researchers attribute this surge in obesity to inequalities in access to healthy food, aggressive marketing of ultra-processed products, and declining physical activity levels.

In response to this looming health crisis, experts are calling for the implementation of effective strategies, including improved access to nutritious food, the promotion of physical activity, and stricter regulations on the marketing of unhealthy food products to children, to safeguard the health of future generations.