NEW YORK — After 31-year-old Carlos Lazos left the Army Reserve, he quickly gained 70 pounds.
“I started eating a lot more fried foods,” he explained.
His job as a long-distance truck driver was leading him towards diabetes. Although he is now focused on dieting and exercising, his situation is not unique and reflects a larger trend.
A report published by the New England Journal of Medicine on Monday revealed that in 2015, one in ten individuals globally were classified as obese, totaling approximately 604 million adults and 108 million children.
In the United States, 12.7% of children were identified as obese, the highest rate globally. Egypt reported the highest percentage of obese adults at 35.3%.
Professor Azeem Majeed from Imperial College London, a co-author of the study, states that high-calorie diets contribute significantly to this issue, but a shift in employment types also plays a role.
“Many countries have experienced a rapid transition from physically demanding jobs, such as farming, to less active roles in offices,” Majeed noted.
Excess weight is linked to 4 million deaths globally, with 70% attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Alarmingly, 39% of these fatalities occurred in individuals classified as overweight, not necessarily obese.
“While most people understand the health risks associated with obesity, fewer realize that being overweight poses significant health hazards as well,” Majeed added.
A person standing five feet nine inches tall is considered overweight if they weigh between 169 to 202 pounds. Weighing 203 pounds or more categorizes one as obese.
“Health impacts include various chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers that are associated with increased weight,” explained Dr. Bruce Lee, a global obesity expert at Johns Hopkins University.
Tackling obesity is a worldwide challenge that requires more than individual determination. Some communities have successfully implemented strategies to enhance their environments, such as creating walking paths, eliminating junk food from schools, and improving restaurant options to promote healthier choices.
