(Photo: VNA)

The study is based on data from more than 220 million people in more than 190 countries  and jointly conducted by WHO and a group of researchers, who estimated that 504 million adult women and 374 million men were obese in 2022. Some 159 million children and adolescents were living with obesity in 2022, according to the study. 

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said the figures are alarming, as the obesity rate had nearly tripled for men, more than doubled for women, and increased more than five-fold for adolescences. The rise past one billion people, previously expected in 2030, has come much earlier than the WHO anticipated. 

The fact that 1 in 8 people worldwide is now with obesity indicates the rapid shift from malnutrition to obesity in many countries, said Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London, the study's lead author. 

He said: "It really means that both the macro-policies of poverty and cost of food and the various specific actions like school meals and untargeted healthy food assistance should really be a priority and major priority."

The study was published a few days before World Obesity Day (March 4) and is expected prompt action in many countries.

According to the WHO chief, to combat obesity and its consequences, countries must focus on its people’s dietary habits and physical activity. He added that "getting back on track" to meet global targets for cutting obesity rates "requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products".