Why is the world so overweight?

The Global Nutrition Report has revealed some startling data concerning the worldwide obesity epidemic. According to the 2015 report, not a single country was on route to meet the World Health Assembly’s obesity target. Quite the opposite: numerous regions, notably Europe and Latin America, were pushing the global averages dangerously off course, with obesity now defined as “high and increasing”. Obesity (a body mass index of 30 or over) among adults of both sexes has seen an increase in every country based on 2010-2014 data.

Source: Global Nutrition Report

How did the world get so overweight? It is estimated that one in three people has an unhealthy diet worldwide. Consumption of fat and sugar has also skyrocketed in developed nations to well above the recommended daily amounts defined by the World Health Organisation.

Three nations – the United States, Germany and the Netherlands – all consume over double the recommended 50 grams recommended by WHO. European countries make up five of the 10 largest daily sugar consumers.

When it comes to fat intake, the recommendations are for less than 30% of total energy, which at 2,000 calories a day is about 65 grams. Europeans are consuming considerably more. Eight out of the top 10 largest consumers of fat are in Europe, ranging from 73.6 to 95 grams daily.

Have you read?
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Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.

Image: A man crosses a main road as pedestrians carrying food walk along the footpath in central Sydney, Australia, August 12, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray