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Global obesity crisis looms: Study predicts majority of adults will be overweight or obese by 2050

By isabelle // 2025-03-07

• Over half of adults and a third of children globally will be overweight or obese by 2050 if current trends persist, a Lancet study predicts.
• Obesity rates have surged since 1990, with 2.11 billion adults and 493 million young people currently affected.
• The U.S. faces severe obesity challenges, with Southern states like Mississippi and Texas being hotspots.
• Childhood obesity has more than doubled since 1990, with one in three children projected to be overweight or obese by 2050.
• Urgent action is needed to address poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate policies to prevent a global health crisis.

In an alarming new report published in Lancet, researchers warn that more than half of the world’s adults and a third of children and young people will be overweight or obese by 2050 if current trends continue. The study, led by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), highlights a global health crisis fueled by poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate policy interventions. With obesity linked to severe health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, experts are calling for urgent action to reverse this alarming trajectory.

Shocking statistics paint a story of poor health

The study reveals that 2.11 billion adults aged 25 and older and 493 million children and young people aged five to 24 are currently overweight or obese. These numbers have skyrocketed since 1990, when 731 million adults and 198 million young people were affected. By 2050, researchers predict that 3.8 billion adults and 746 million young people will fall into these categories, marking a 121% increase in childhood obesity alone. The United States is among the hardest-hit nations, with 172 million adults over 25 classified as overweight or obese in 2021. That number is expected to rise to 214 million by 2050. Southern states, in particular, face the highest obesity rates, with Mississippi and Texas identified as hotspots for both adults and young people.

A growing crisis among children

Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of the study is its focus on children. Obesity rates among young people have more than doubled since 1990, with one in three children and adolescents projected to be overweight or obese by 2050. This trend is particularly pronounced in regions like North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where 130 million young people are expected to be affected. “The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” said lead author Prof. Emmanuela Gakidou. She emphasized that children are gaining weight faster than previous generations, increasing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions at younger ages. Obesity is not just a personal health issue — it’s a societal one. The condition is linked to a host of serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers. These ailments place immense strain on healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where resources are already stretched thin. The study’s authors stress that without immediate action, the economic and social costs of obesity will be staggering. “Ultimately, as global obesity rates continue to soar, much stronger political commitment is needed to transform diets within sustainable global food systems,” said co-lead author Dr. Jessica Kerr of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia.

Hope for change: RFK Jr. and the MAHA agenda

Amid the grim predictions, there is a glimmer of hope. Public health advocates like HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) are pushing for cleaner, healthier food options. Kennedy has long criticized the prevalence of processed foods and harmful additives in the American diet, calling for stricter regulations and better access to nutritious meals. His MAHA agenda aims to eliminate harmful ingredients from food products and promote policies that encourage physical activity and healthier eating habits. While the road ahead is challenging, initiatives like MAHA could play a crucial role in reversing the obesity epidemic. The Lancet study serves as a wake-up call for governments, policymakers, and individuals worldwide. With obesity rates projected to reach unprecedented levels by 2050, the time to act is now. By addressing the root causes of this crisis—such as unequal access to healthy foods, aggressive marketing of junk food, and sedentary lifestyles — we can prevent a future where obesity becomes the norm. Sources for this article include: RT.com NYPost.com BBC.com

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