Global Obesity Crisis to Affect 60% of Adults by 2050, Study Warns

The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), analyzed data from 204 countries calling the obesity epidemic a major health crisis of the century.

“The global surge in obesity is a profound tragedy and societal failure,” said lead researcher Emmanuela Gakidou from IHME.

Without intervention, 3.8 billion adults will strain global health systems by 2050.

Childhood obesity will rise by 121%, affecting North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean the most.

Co-author Jessica Kerr from Australia’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute emphasized the need for stronger political commitment to improve global food systems, nutrition, and physical activity environments.

Poor diets and sedentary lifestyles play a key role, but experts like Thorkild Sorensen from the University of Copenhagen urge investigating why socially deprived groups suffer more.

The study is part of the Global Burden of Disease project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.