Economic impact of overweight and obesity to surpass $4 trillion by 2035. This study predicts that more than half the global population will be living with
overweight and obesity within 12 years if prevention, treatment and support do not
improve. The World Obesity Atlas 2023, published by World Obesity Federation, predicts that the
global economic impact of overweight and obesity will reach $4.32 trillion annually by
2035 if prevention and treatment measures do not improve. At almost 3% of global GDP,
this is comparable with the impact of COVID-19 in 2020.
▪ The majority of the global population (51%, or over 4 billion people) will be living with
either overweight or obesity by 2035 if current trends prevail. 1 in 4 people (nearly 2 billion)
will have obesity. Childhood obesity could more than double by 2035 (from 2020 levels). Rates are predicted
to double among boys to 208 million (100% increase) and more than double among girls to
175 million (125% increase) and are rising more rapidly among children than adults. Lower income countries are facing rapid increases in obesity prevalence. Of the 10
countries with the greatest expected increases in obesity globally (for both adults and
children), 9 of those are from low or lower-middle income countries. All are from either Asia
or Africa.