Economic Impact Of Overweight And Obese People To Surpass $4 Trillion By 2035, Study Finds

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2023. 03. 09. 09:55

The World Obesity Federation has published its World Obesity Atlas 2023, which predicts that the global economic impact of overweight and obese people will reach $4.32 trillion (€4.04 trillion) annually by 2035, if prevention and treatment measures do not improve.

At almost 3% of global GDP, this is comparable with the impact of COVID-19 in 2020.

The report predicts that the majority of the global population (51%, or over 4 billion people) will be either overweight or obese by 2035, if current trends prevail. It estimates that one in four people (nearly 2 billion) will have obesity.

Furthermore, childhood obesity could more than double by 2035 (from 2020 levels), with the condition rising more rapidly among children than adults. Rates are predicted to double among boys to 208 million (100% increase) and more than double among girls to 175 million (125% increase).

The World Obesity Federation has emphasised the importance of developing comprehensive national action plans to prevent and treat obesity and support people affected by the disease.

The Federation acknowledged the impact of climate change, COVID-19 restrictions, new pandemics, and chemical pollutants on obesity and warns that without ‘ambitious and coordinated action’ to address systemic issues, obesity rates could rise still further.

ESM