Epidemiology of obesity

Obesity is associated with a number of chronic diseases as well as a reduced life expectancy. The systematic analysis of globally relevant data from population-based epidemiological studies as well as national and regional health surveys with available measurements of body weight and height has shown that the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) has increased globally over the past four decades, affecting 10.8% of men and 14.9% of women worldwide. The highest obesity prevalences are observed among men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia, followed by high-income English-speaking countries, as well as among women in southern Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa. An increase in obesity prevalence has also been observed among children and adolescents worldwide. Obesity prevention plays a key role in reducing the negative health consequences of obesity at the population level. Since children and adolescents with an elevated BMI are also more likely to be affected by overweight and obesity in adulthood, obesity prevention should begin in childhood and adolescence.