Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk factor for death in the world, and an increasingly frequent problem in childhood. Overweight and obesity are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can be harmful to health.
These are some data on obesity in the world that account for the serious health problem involved, although you can act on it as we pointed out in the end:
- In 2010, about 43 million children under the age of five were overweight.
In developing countries they are living about 35 million overweight children, while in developed countries that figure is 8 million.
Since 1980, obesity has more than doubled worldwide.
- In 2008, 1.5 billion adults (aged 20 and over) were overweight. Within this group, more than 200 million men and about 300 million women were obese.
- In 2008, in general, more than one in 10 people in the world's adult population were obese.
- 65% of the world's population lives in countries where overweight and obesity claim more lives for people than underweight.
- Every year at least 2.8 million adults die as a result of being overweight or obese.
- In addition, 44% of the burden of diabetes, 23% of the burden of ischemic heart disease and between 7% and 41% of the burden of some cancers are attributable to overweight and obesity.
- In short, a high BMI is an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, including musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
- Obesity can be prevented.
While overweight and obesity long ago were considered a problem of high-income countries, both disorders are currently increasing in low and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings.
As the WHO notes, there are many problems related to childhood obesity:
Childhood obesity is associated with a higher probability of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. But in addition to these greater future risks, obese children suffer from respiratory distress, increased risk of fractures and hypertension, and have early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.
But it is essential to remember the last point listed: Obesity can be prevented, leading to healthy eating habits and adequate physical activity. If, since they are young, we try to take it into account, and by example, we will all be healthier.
