1.1 billion people now live with obesity
WHO counts 1.1 billion people with obesity in 2024, including 940 million adults and 170 million children and adolescents aged 5–19.
How this affects people
Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990 and adolescent obesity has quadrupled. Among 5–19 year olds, obesity rose from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2024.
WHO links the rise to environments that limit access to healthy, affordable food and safe physical activity, and to weak regulation. A higher-than-optimal body mass index caused an estimated 3.7 million deaths in 2023.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Environments that limit healthy, affordable food and safe physical activity
- 02Market forces and weak legal and regulatory frameworks
- 03Health systems unable to prevent and treat obesity early
- 04Biological susceptibility, including genetics and appetite regulation
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Rates keep rising
Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990 and adolescent obesity has quadrupled.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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