Obesity: A Growing Global Trend and Risk Factor for Chronic Disease

According to a recent World Health Organization report (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2010), 2.8 million people die worldwide each year as a result of being overweight or obese. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled between 1980 and 2008. In 2008, an estimated 205 million men and 297 million women over the age of 20 were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) – a total of more than half a billion adults worldwide.

Global distribution of overweight, ages 20+ males as of 2008

Overweight and obesity adversely affect blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin, and increase the risk of coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer – breast, colon, endometrium, kidney, oesophagus and pancreas.

Infant and young child overweight trends from 1990 to 2015, by World Bank income groups

Children are developing chronic diseases younger than ever before and at an increased rate. The earlier these illnesses are developed, the more socially devastating and fiscally demanding chronic disease becomes on our global economy. By minimizing barriers to positive health practices and encouraging global advances in wellness, PFCD believes that a significant impact can be made in reducing the burden of chronic disease worldwide.

For more information on the global prevalence of overweight and obesity and their risk factors, download the WHO’s Global Status Report on Non-Communicable Diseases.