What the study found
Obesity trends have become more varied across countries and age groups. The study reports that the rise in obesity slowed and then largely plateaued in many high-income countries for school-aged children, adolescents, and later adults, while in many low-income and middle-income countries obesity has continued to increase or rise more quickly.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these varied trends suggest social, economic, and technological changes affecting the availability, affordability, and use of foods may have helped control obesity growth in high-income countries. They say policy interventions are needed in low-income and middle-income countries.
What the researchers tested
The researchers analyzed 4,050 population-based studies with measured height and weight data from 232 million participants. They examined worldwide obesity dynamics from 1980 to 2024.
What worked and what didn't
In school-aged children and adolescents in many high-income countries, the rise in obesity decelerated during the 1990s and then plateaued. The abstract also notes small declines in some high-income western countries and similar trends in some countries in Central and Eastern Europe, while in adults the rise slowed later, with a plateau or possible small reversal in some countries such as Spain.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not give country-by-country details for all regions, and it does not describe the limitations of the studies included. It also reports that the findings are based on measured height and weight data from population-based studies, but does not provide additional caveats in the available summary.
Key points
- The study analyzed 4,050 population-based studies with measured height and weight data from 232 million people.
- In many high-income countries, obesity in children and adolescents slowed in the 1990s and then plateaued.
- Some high-income western countries, including Italy, Portugal, and France, showed small declines since the 2000s.
- In adults, the rise in obesity slowed later in high-income western countries and may have plateaued or slightly reversed in some places such as Spain.
- In many low-income and middle-income countries, obesity prevalence kept increasing or increased faster over time.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Obesity growth slowed in high-income countries and rose faster elsewhere
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