Dear Disaster Diary,
More than a billion people are obese. In the USA, over 40 percent of adults are obese - in France, however, only 10 percent. Obesity is a global and steadily increasing problem.
In 2022, 504 million women and 374 million men were classified as obese, which is almost four times as many people as thirty years ago.
These alarming statistics were presented in the journal "The Lancet." People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above were included in the study.
The highest prevalence of obese individuals is found in island nations like Tonga or Samoa in Polynesia, where more than 60 percent of the population is severely overweight. But similar numbers are also seen in the Caribbean and the Middle East, such as in Qatar or Brunei.
In the USA, nearly 44 percent of women and 42 percent of men are now obese. Europe, for now, fares slightly better. However, countries like the UK, Ireland, Greenland, Greece, or Malta show a prevalence of 27 to 36 percent among adults and 8 to 14 percent among those under 20 years old. Nordic countries range from 11 to 24 percent.
Germany alone counts almost 18 million obese individuals. Japan, South Korea, China, and India have fewer than 10 percent obese individuals in all groups.
The World Health Organization speaks of an obesity epidemic. Obesity has become a public health crisis, leading to other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gallstones, or joint wear.
This strains healthcare systems, costing Germany alone over 29 billion euros.
Yet, there's still no comprehensive plan of action. Some advocate for more funding for treating millions of obese individuals. Others call for stricter regulations on food and industry. And some emphasize personal responsibility and advocate for education, arguing that merely educating patients about the disease, its causes, and its combat strategies is only a first step.
Nutritional counseling, exercise programs, behavioral therapy, medications, and surgical interventions, including thorough postoperative care, should be mandatory.
Free lunches for daycare centers and schools, tax benefits for healthy and environmentally friendly eating, and better food in hospitals and nursing homes are necessary.
Supermarkets should be prohibited from wasting food, and there should be a minimum age requirement for energy drinks.
The definition of staple foods should be revised more frequently, with a focus on plant-based milk substitutes, meat alternatives, and all foods produced to organic standards. Sugar should not be considered a staple food.
Products like unprocessed organic fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and mineral water should be exempt from any taxes.
No junk food TV advertisements before 9 pm, no buy-one-get-one-free deals on unhealthy foods, and clearer calorie labels on menus should be enforced.
If we don't invest in the effective care of obese individuals now, society will pay a hefty price. It's time to face the harsh reality and take action before it's too late.
Sincerely,
Adaptation Guide
Acknowledgments: BBC, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine.
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