The study, which was peer reviewed and published in BMJ Global Health, analysed the economic impact of obesity in 161 countries. The study found that if the number of people living with obesity remained at 2019 levels, US$2.2 trillion could be saved.
The countries expected to have the largest economic cost of obesity are China, the United States of America and India. Other countries with economic costs of obesity predicted to exceed $100 billion include the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Japan.
Johanna Ralston, chief executive of the World Obesity Federation said: “These estimates of the economic impact of overweight and obesity should alarm governments across the world. The persistent stigmatisation of people living with obesity and policies that do not reflect the most recent evidence have led to failing approaches that ignore obesity’s root causes.
“This study has highlighted the need for urgent, concerted and holistic action to address the global rise in overweight and obesity prevalence. We can alter this through the right policy and private sector attention to reduce factors in the environment that can cause the non-communicable disease. Doing so will help to boost the wellbeing of people, provide economic gains and improve resilience to disease outbreaks.”
To read the full study, visit here.