Obesity in children under 14 set to rise by more than half by 2050, shocking research suggests
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Childhood obesity to rise by more than half by 2050 – research
- Childhood obesity in the UK will increase by over 50 per cent by 2050, according to new research published in The Lancet.
- Obesity rates for girls aged 5-14 are projected to rise from 12 per cent in 2021 to 18.4 per cent in 2050, while boys in the same age group will see a rise from 9.9 per cent to 15.5 per cent.
- Globally, over half of adults and a third of children and adolescents are predicted to be overweight or obese by 2050.
- Experts call the global obesity epidemic a "profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure”, emphasising the need for urgent policy changes and action.
- The study shows that younger generations are gaining weight faster and developing obesity earlier, increasing their risk of serious health problems like diabetes and cancer at younger ages.