11.01.10
Soaring obesity rates have placed the U.S. high on the list of the fattest countries, according to a new study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Since the 1980s, obesity has spread at an alarming rate, the report states. Changes in food supply and eating habits, combined with a dramatic fall in physical activity, have made obesity a global epidemic. Across OECD countries, one in two adults is currently overweight and one in six is obese. The rate of overweight people is projected to increase by a further 1% per year for the next 10 years in some countries. Rates are highest in the U.S. and Mexico and lowest in Japan and Korea, but have been growing virtually everywhere. Children have not been spared, with up to one in three currently overweight. Child obesity rates are also highest in the U.S., but growth in obesity has slowed some. Rates have become relatively stable in the last 10 years, suggesting that substantial further growth is unlikely and overweight rates in boys might even begin to fall.
Severely obese people die eight to 10 years sooner than those of normal weight, similar to smokers, and they are more likely to develop diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Obesity is a burden on health systems, with healthcare expenditure for an obese person at least 25% higher than for someone of normal weight. The OECD projected that three out of four people in the U.S. will be overweight or obese within 10 years.
Severely obese people die eight to 10 years sooner than those of normal weight, similar to smokers, and they are more likely to develop diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Obesity is a burden on health systems, with healthcare expenditure for an obese person at least 25% higher than for someone of normal weight. The OECD projected that three out of four people in the U.S. will be overweight or obese within 10 years.