The World Obesity Atlas 2023, published by the World Obesity Federation, warns that the global economic impact of overweight and obesity could reach **$4.32 trillion annually by 2035** if prevention and treatment measures do not improve. This amount—almost 3 percent of global Gross Domestic Product—is comparable to the economic impact of COVID‑19 in 2020.
The report projects that, under current trends, **51 percent of the world’s population—over 4 billion people—will be living with overweight or obesity by 2035**, and **one in four people—nearly 2 billion—will have obesity**. It also highlights a rapid rise in obesity prevalence in lower‑income countries. Of the ten nations expected to see the greatest increases in obesity (adults and children combined), nine are low or lower‑middle‑income countries, all located in Asia or Africa.
This fifth edition of the World Obesity Atlas focuses on the economic consequences of obesity. It notes that childhood obesity could more than double by 2035 compared with 2020 levels. Rates are projected to **double among boys to 208 million (a 100 percent increase)** and **more than double among girls to 175 million (a 125 percent increase)**, with the rise occurring faster in children than in adults.
Johanna Ralston, Chief Executive Officer of the World Obesity Federation, emphasized that “the economic impact of obesity is not the fault of individuals living with the disease. It results from high‑level failures to provide the environmental, healthcare, food, and support systems needed for healthy lives.” She urged policymakers and civil society to act, stating that the Atlas findings should inspire tangible commitments and comprehensive national action plans aligned with new World Health Organization recommendations for obesity prevention and management.
World Obesity Day, observed each year on March 4, aims to raise awareness of obesity as a disease, promote advocacy for societal change, improve policies that create healthier environments, and provide platforms for sharing experiences. This year’s theme, **“Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity,”** focuses on fostering impactful conversations to drive change.
The Atlas report will be presented at a high‑level policy event on March 6 for UN policymakers, member states, and civil society. Throughout the report, overweight and obesity are defined using WHO Body Mass Index cut‑offs; BMI is employed to estimate prevalence, not as a diagnostic tool.
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