Obesity Rates Rising Worldwide

1 in 8 People Now Obese

Overweight and Obesity Defined

Obesity is a complex disease involving having too much body fat. It isn't just a cosmetic concern. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, 1 in 8 people worldwide were living with obesity. Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has also been on the rise.

People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's weight divided by the square of the person's height—is over 30 kg/m2. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese.