The World Obesity Atlas 2023, published by the World Obesity Federation, reveals that Nigeria is the least prepared country to confront the global rise in non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity. In the NCD‑Obesity Preparedness Rankings, Nigeria placed 180 out of 183 nations. The ranking evaluates each country’s current health‑system response to NCDs and its commitment to implementing obesity‑prevention policies.
The report highlights stark differences in preparedness across income levels and regions. Low‑income countries average a ranking of 154 out of 183, whereas high‑income countries average 29 out of 183. All ten of the most prepared nations are in Europe, while eight of the ten least prepared are in Africa. Apart from Nigeria, the countries with the lowest preparedness scores include Niger (183), Papua New Guinea (182), Somalia (181), Central African Republic (179), Burkina Faso (178), Guinea‑Bissau (177), Burundi (176), Tokelau (175) and Gambia (174). Conversely, the most prepared nations are Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland and Belgium.
The Atlas projects a gradual rise in obesity prevalence for all population groups between 2020 and 2035, with the pace accelerating in lower‑income nations. Large lower‑middle‑income countries such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria could quickly mirror the rapid increases seen in upper‑middle‑income countries like Mexico, Brazil and Turkey, especially among children and adolescents. For Nigeria, the prevalence of adult obesity is projected to reach 24 % by 2035, with annual increases of 4.9 % for adults and 8.3 % for children. Overweight and obesity are expected to reduce Nigeria’s GDP by 0.9 % by 2035.
The Federation’s research also points to barriers faced by people living with obesity, including difficulty obtaining a diagnosis—since obesity is not always classified as a disease—limited access to knowledgeable health professionals, and substantial out‑of‑pocket expenses for appropriate treatment. By 2035, the economic burden of overweight and obesity is estimated to exceed US $370 billion per year in low and lower‑middle‑income countries alone.
Commenting on the findings, Rachel Jackson‑Leach, Director of Science at the World Obesity Federation, warned: “If we do not act now, we are on course to see significant increases in obesity prevalence over the next decade. The greatest increases will be seen in low and lower‑middle‑income countries, where scarce resources and lack of preparedness will create a perfect storm that will negatively impact people living with obesity the most.”
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