October 6, 2019

Anna Murray 

There are currently 150 million obese children, and it is expected to grow to 250 million by 2030. If adolescents count in, it will grow to 254 million, an increase of more than 60%. The main reason for the sudden increase in childhood obesity is that junk food is spread all over the world. The government has not actively established policies to help children maintain health. Subsequently it leads to health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabete. It will also burden the country's health care system.

According to the World Health Organization, from 2010 to 2025, only one in ten countries have a chance to achieve the goal of no longer rising childhood obesity. However, the 191 countries studied by World Obesity Federation, less than 10% possibility in 156 countries might achieve. The federation calculates obesity risk scores for 191 countries. In the next decade, the highest scores are Pacific island countries due to more loafing lifestyles and rely on food imports, which processed food with high levels of sugar and fat. In these low-income countries, governments are reluctant to intervene. Each country has different problems, such as in Ukraine, overweight babies are the most; more than 40% of children aged 5 to 19 with obesity in Cook Islands; and in the United States, one in four of children and to one in five adolescents with obesity. Countries with high rates of obesity do not have adequate precautions. Countries with low rates also cannot escape global trend if they do not actively respond to this issue.

The report pointed out that especially in developing countries, Asia, Africa, Latin America, massive marketing of junk food, children are particularly dangerous in this environment. In addition to changes in diet, the ways of doing things, including sitting for a long time, riding a scooter, or driving, instead of riding a bicycle and walking, they consume less energy than in the past. 

Dr. Lobstein believes that the young generation should be more active in dealing with obesity, just as it is about climate change. This is not blame or a mark against individuals, but a social problem.

Photo:Webshot.