Obesity in Focus: What You Need to Know
Obesity and being overweight are no longer just personal health issues, they’re global concerns that touch millions of lives, from tiny toddlers to wise grandparents. It’s a problem that’s grown quietly over the years, and now it’s one of the most serious health challenges facing our world.
Let’s unpack what obesity really is, why it matters, and how we can take simple, powerful steps to change the narrative.
Did you know that nearly 2.5 billion adults around the world were overweight in 2022? Out of that number, almost 890 million were living with obesity. That’s a staggering 43% of adults overweight and 16% obese.
It’s not just adults either. In 2024, about 35 million children under five were overweight, and over 390 million young people aged 5 to 19 were carrying excess weight with 160 million classified as obese.
Since 1990, adult obesity has doubled, and among children and teenagers, it has quadrupled. This rapid rise tells us something important: our environment, habits, and choices have changed and not always for the better.
What Exactly Is Obesity?
Doctors often use a simple tool called the Body Mass Index (BMI) to understand body weight:
• A BMI of 25 or more is considered overweight
• A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese
But for children, BMI is adjusted for age and sex, so the definitions aren’t exactly the same. In both cases, though, obesity means having too much body fat in a way that harms your health.
Obesity is not just about body size, it’s about health risks. Carrying too much weight increases your chance of developing serious illnesses like:
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain cancers
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Mental health issues, including depression and anxiety
And for children, the effects can be long-lasting. Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults, face bullying or low self-esteem, and may struggle more in school or social settings.
In 2021 alone, 3.7 million deaths were linked to high BMI.
What’s Causing the Rise?
Obesity isn’t just about eating too much or moving too little. It’s influenced by many factors:
• Unhealthy food is easier to access and often cheaper than nutritious options
• Busy lifestyles, screen time, and long hours sitting at desks mean we move less
• Aggressive advertising especially to kids, makes fast food and sugary drinks more tempting
• Stress, lack of sleep, and even some medications can also play a role
In many places, especially in cities, walking paths, parks, and recreational spaces are limited, making it harder to stay active.
What Can We Do?
At Home and in Daily Life:
• Eat more whole foods—fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans
• Cut down on sugary drinks, processed snacks, and fast food
• Be active every day: adults need at least 150 minutes per week; kids need 60 minutes daily
• Get enough sleep and reduce screen time
• For mothers: breastfeeding exclusively for six months has long-term health benefits for both mom and baby
In the Community:
• Support schools in offering healthy meals and physical activity
• Push for clearer food labels and limits on unhealthy food ads, especially near schools
• Build healthier cities with parks, walking trails, and bike lanes
In Healthcare:
• Encourage routine BMI checks
• Get support from health professionals for meal planning, physical activity, and, when needed, medical treatments
• Monitor related risks like blood pressure and blood sugar
A Shared Responsibility
Solving the obesity crisis isn’t just about personal willpower—it’s about changing the systems around us. That means governments, schools, food industries, city planners, and individuals all have a role to play.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an Acceleration Plan in 2022, calling on countries to take bold steps:
• Improve access to healthy foods
• Make physical activity easier and safer
• Support parents, schools, and communities in raising healthier children
Obesity is one of the most visible and preventable health threats of our time. But if we work together and make small, consistent changes, we can turn the tide.
Your health journey doesn’t have to start with drastic diets or endless workouts. It starts with one choice: swapping soda for water, taking a walk after dinner, choosing an apple over chips.
Let’s rise up and make health a priority.
Because small changes today can lead to a healthier, brighter tomorrow.