More than half of the world’s population will be overweight or obese by 2035 unless action is taken to reverse the situation, says a new report.

A report is awaitedAtlas 2023According to the International Obesity Federation, 51% of the world’s population, or more than 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight in the next 12 years.

The report found obesity rates are rising, particularly among children and low-income countries.

Louis Bauer, president of the International Obesity Federation, called the data a “clear warning” and said policymakers must act now to prevent the situation from worsening.

“It is very alarming to see the rate of obesity among children and adolescents increasing so rapidly,” he said in a statement.

“Governments and policymakers around the world must do everything they can to avoid incurring further health, social and economic costs.”

In its report, the consortium said the cost to society of health conditions associated with overweight is significant: $4 trillion annually by 2035, or 3% of global GDP.

However, the authors do not blame individuals, but rather call for attention to the social, environmental and biological factors involved in these conditions.

The report uses body mass index (BMI) in its estimates, a number calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height.

According to WHO guidelines, a BMI above 25 means overweight and above 30 means obesity.

In 2020, 2.6 billion people fall into these categories, or 38% of the world’s population.

The report also found that nearly all countries expect to see the largest increases in obesity in the coming years, particularly in low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa.

The data will be presented to decision makers at the United Nations and member states next week, he said Reuters.