Curie Brief
Turn on cookies to sign in
Signing in saves your progress to your Curie account. We can only do that with cookies on — turn them on to continue.
News
Obesity is rising faster among young adults than older adults globally, according to a sweeping 32-year study across 196 countries. While older adults still carry the heavier overall burden, the annual rate of increase is outpacing in the 20–49 age group. Experts say early adulthood is a critical window for intervention before habits — and weight — become harder to change.
A major global study tracking obesity trends across 196 countries from 1990 to 2022 reveals a troubling pattern: while older adults (50+) still have higher overall obesity rates, younger adults (ages 20–49) are seeing obesity rise at a faster annual pace. The findings, published in Obesity, underscore that early adulthood is a critical — and often overlooked — window for prevention.
The study found that obesity prevalence more than doubled in most groups over the three-decade period. Low- and lower-middle-income countries saw the most rapid increases, signaling that the obesity crisis is no longer confined to wealthier nations.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Young adulthood is when dietary habits and physical activity routines take shape — making it a prime target for obesity prevention. Clinicians and policymakers alike should prioritize early intervention strategies, from improving access to healthy foods to building activity-friendly communities, to curb long-term downstream health consequences.
