L'obésité dans le monde

Obesity around the world


Obesity has become a global epidemic. This is not only a threat for wealthy nations but also for developing countries. Many of those developing countries now face the double economic burden of under-nutrition and over-nutrition.

The obesity epidemic is global & accelerating

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF). A rapid increase in child obesity is a telltale sign that this epidemic is far from over. Developing economies are catching up quickly with wealthy countries. Many of those developing countries now face the double economic burden of under-nutrition and over-nutrition occurring in parallel. This will lead to a disease burden, which the healthcare systems are not able to deal with.
Alarming facts

Worldwide, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, at least 300 million of them obese. More than 50% of adults in western populations are overweight or obese. Developing countries show a wide range of obesity rates, often widely different for men and women. In the Philippines, the obesity rate is 4.4% for women, 2.1% for men. In Mexico the obesity rate is 29% for women, 19% for men. In South Africa, obesity rates for women are 28%, for men 10%. Urban areas of many developing countries are the first to show an increase in overweight and obesity. In China, the average obesity rate is <>Globally 1 in 10 children are overweight or obese, in Europe this is 1 in 5 and across the Americas this number reaches almost 1 in 3.

What is going on in developing countries? Surprisingly, obesity is not only restricted to wealthy nations. Rapid changes in diet and lifestyle resulting from industrialisation, urbanisation, economic development and market globalisation are having a significant impact on the nutritional status of populations in developing countries. Consumption of calorie dense 'western diets' is rapidly increasing. Mechanisation of work and at home results in a more sedentary lifestyle. The resulting increase in calorie intake and decrease in energy expenditure (physical activity) leads to overweight and obesity. Overweight and obesity appears first amongst the wealthiest citizens of these countries. More and more adults and children follow as their economic power increases. Economic growth slowed down As countries develop, an increasing percentage of their population will move from undernutrition to overnutrition. These countries have to cope with the double economic burden of disease and disability due to undernutrition and overnutrition occurring in parallel. About 60% of all deaths worldwide can be attributed to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various forms of cancer. Two-thirds of deaths linked to these diseases now occur in the developing world. Obesity significantly increases the chance of these non-communicable diseases. This will lead to a disease burden, which the healthcare systems are not able to deal with.

Key causes of the obesity epidemic


The major cause of the 'globesity' epidemic is a massive shift in the external environment. A combination of various global trends have had a major impact on people’s personal eating habits and lifestyle.
Global trends shift individual energy balance. The major cause of the 'globesity' epidemic is a massive shift in the external environment. Global trends such as mechanisation, urbanisation, economic growth and globalisation have had a major impact on people’s personal eating habits and lifestyle. Calorie intake has increased for many, due to the availability of affordable, calorie dense foods in large portions. Energy expenditure has decreased due to a more sedentary lifestyle.

Tipping the energy balance

Being overweight is the result of a sustained energy imbalance: the calorie intake (food and drinks) is greater than the energy expenditure (body metabolism, physical activity). Excess calories are being stored as body fat. Food intake and physical activity are the key modifiable factors to focus on for weight management.

Wide availability of calorie dense foods

370g of Macademia nuts contain the same number of calories as 6.6 kg of carrots. Calorie density is recognised as an important factor in weight management: on diets with low calorie dense foods, people can manage their weight better than on high calorie dense foods. The wide availability of calorie dense foods and large portions have facilitated overeating.

Large portion sizes facilitate overeating

Portion size also has an important role in calorie intake. People eat food in units, so larger portions often lead to larger intakes. Satiety typically sets in 15-20 minutes after eating, which means the stop signals of the body can be too late. Large portion sizes, especially combined with high calorie density, thus facilitate overeating.

Less physically active lifestyles

Over recent decades, the mechanisation of our life and our less physically demanding jobs have changed our lifestyles. Technology in the home and sedentary hobbies (TV, computer) has further added to a less physically active life. Trends in obesity are paralleled not only by increased automobile use but also hours of television watched.

Sources: www.unilever.com