A groundbreaking study published by the Lancet reveals that over 1 billion people worldwide are grappling with obesity, marking a significant global health crisis. Since 1990, obesity rates among adults have more than doubled, while quadrupling among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19. Shockingly, 43% of adults were classified as overweight in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for action.

While rates of undernutrition have declined, they remain a pressing concern in regions such as South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The study identifies island nations in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa as having the highest combined rates of underweight and obesity.

Malnutrition, encompassing undernutrition and obesity, poses grave health risks, contributing to half of all deaths among children under 5. Obesity, in particular, is linked to noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, underscores the importance of early prevention and management of obesity through lifestyle changes, dietary habits, and comprehensive care. Addressing this crisis requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and the private sector, supported by evidence-based policies and interventions.

The WHO Acceleration Plan to combat obesity, adopted by Member States in 2022, provides a roadmap for action through 2030. Currently, 31 governments are spearheading efforts to curb the epidemic by implementing this plan.

Key interventions include promoting healthy practices from infancy, regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, implementing nutrition policies in schools, and adopting fiscal measures to promote healthier diets. Dr Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Nutrition and Food Safety Department, emphasizes the need for integrated obesity prevention and management services within primary healthcare systems.

Addressing undernutrition requires a multifaceted approach, spanning agriculture, social protection, and healthcare sectors, to ensure universal access to essential nutrition interventions and improve overall well-being.

As the world grapples with the complex challenges of obesity and malnutrition, collaborative efforts and evidence-based strategies are crucial to safeguarding public health and achieving global targets for curbing these twin crises.