• 12.10.2017

Tenfold Increase in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Four Decades  



Tenfold Increase in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Four Decades  

 

The number of obese children and adolescents (aged 5 to 19 years) worldwide has risen tenfold in the past four decades, according to a new study led by Imperial College London and the World Health Organization and professors of the University of Montenegro who contributed to the research.

The study, published in the prestigious journal “The Lancet”, it was said that if current trends continue, more children and adolescents will be obese than moderately or severely underweight by 2022.

Professor Bjelica explains that the study analysed weight and height measurements from nearly 130 million people aged over five and that makes the largest number of participants ever involved in the research like this.

“The research analysed the body mass index and how obesity has changed worldwide from 1975 to 2016.”-said Bjelica.

During this period, obesity rates in the world’s children and adolescents increased tenfolds, from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016. An additional 213 million were overweight in 2016 but fell below the threshold for obesity.

Professor Stevo Perovic informs that Over the past four decades, obesity rates in children and adolescents have soared globally, and continue to do so in low- and middle-income countries. More recently, they have plateaued in higher income countries. “Nevertheless, obesity levels there remain unacceptably high."

The number of obese adults increased from 100 million in 1975 to 671 million in 2016.  Another 1.3 billion adults were overweight, but fell below the threshold for obesity. In Europe, girls in Malta and boys in Greece had the highest obesity rates. Children and teenagers in Moldova had the lowest obesity rates. India had the highest prevalence of moderately and severely underweight under-19s throughout these four decades.

“On the other hand, adolescents from Montenegro are not in the alarming position. Boys and girls are in the middle of the ranking list. However it is extremely important to continue with promoting good and health habits especially exercises and physical activities because bad habits threaten to worsen situation.”-said Professor Dusko Bjelica.

(Photography source: https://www.kiphakes.com)


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