SHIMONA SHARMA
The North News
Chandigarh, March 4
A new study published in The Lancet has projected a staggering rise in global overweight and obesity rates by 2050, with 3.80 billion individuals aged 25 and older expected to be affected. Of these, 1.95 billion are likely to suffer from obesity, highlighting a deepening public health crisis driven by unhealthy eating habits and the global proliferation of fast food.
China, India, and the United States are set to remain at the forefront of this crisis, with 627 million, 450 million, and 214 million affected individuals, respectively, The Lancet revealed . The study also paints a grim picture for Sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of overweight and obese individuals could surge by 254.8%. Nigeria alone could see its adult population affected by these conditions reach 141 million, positioning it as the world’s fourth-largest nation grappling with this issue.
Experts are calling for urgent public health interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden of chronic diseases. Without decisive action, the global healthcare system could face unprecedented strain in the coming decades.
