The World Obesity Federation has shed light on the childhood obesity crisis around the world in its recent report.
According to the report, approximately 220 million children between the ages of 5 and 19 could become obese by 2040 if proper measures are not taken to stop this horror.
The 2026 report also warns that by 2040, approximately 120 million school-aged children will show early signs of permanent and chronic health problems, including heart problems and diabetes, due to their high body mass index (BMI).
By 2025, approximately 180 million children worldwide would be obese. According to Johanna Ralston, director of the World Obesity Federation, such a disturbing increase in childhood obesity underlines the failure of the global community to take the problem seriously.
“It is not right to condemn a generation to obesity and the chronic and potentially fatal non-communicable diseases that often accompany it,” she said.
The report also categorized the countries based on BMI. Of all countries, China tops the list with 62 million children affected, followed by India (41 million) and the US (27 million).
When it comes to Europe, Britain is facing the worst crisis with around 3.8 million children having a high BMI. By 2040, 370,000 children aged 5 to 19 in Britain are expected to show signs of heart disease, and an estimated 271,000 children will show signs of hypertension.
The report also highlights the effects of inequality on the number of obese children. The low- and middle-income countries have witnessed an exponential rise in the incidence of obesity over the years.
Dr. Kremlin Wickramasinghe, regional adviser on nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the World Health Organization, said: “The majority of governments – including many in Europe – allow the food industry to target children without restrictions.”
“What we need is the political will to take action and resist industry interference,” he added.
