Number of obese and overweight teenagers predicted to rocket
01 Jun 2025 08:02am
In a major new review of the health and wellbeing of adolescents, experts said some main drivers of ill-health among teenagers have switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily
LONDON - Almost half a billion teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030, experts predicted as they warned that adolescent health is at a "tipping point', PA Media/dpa reported.
In a major new review of the health and wellbeing of adolescents, experts said some main drivers of ill-health among teenagers have switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems.
They warned that mental health among teenagers has seen a "significant decline' over the past three decades, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis.
And they projected that 464 million teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030 - 143 million more than in 2015.
But the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing pointed out: "In terms of health risks, substance use (specifically tobacco and alcohol) has declined in every region.'
The experts on the commission said action is needed to tackle threats to adolescents' health and wellbeing.
They warned that progress in teenage health has "lagged well behind' the improvements that have been made in the health and development of young children - with these benefits being at risk of being "undermined' with increased ill-health in teenagers.
They added that current funding is "not proportionate with the magnitude of the challenge'.
They wrote: "Adolescence can no longer be ignored... the time to act is now.'
The authors of the report also highlighted how the shift towards a "more digital world' could have a "profound impact on young people's future health and wellbeing'.
But they warned against "overly restricting' access, saying there needs to be a balance, highlighting that the online world offers teenagers new opportunities for social interaction, education, employment and health promotion.
Meanwhile, they pointed out that this generation of teenagers is the first to grow up among harsher climate conditions.
"Today's adolescents are the first cohort of humans who will live their entire life experiencing the growing reverberations of climate change,' they wrote.
Commission co-chairwoman Professor Sarah Baird, from George Washington University in the US, said: "The health and wellbeing of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point, with mixed progress observed over the past three decades.
"Whilst tobacco and alcohol use has declined and participation in secondary and tertiary education has increased, overweight and obesity have risen by up to eight-fold in some countries in Africa and Asia over the past three decades, and there is a growing burden of poor adolescent mental health globally.
"Additionally, the challenges faced by the world's adolescents are at risk of being exacerbated by emerging global issues including climate change, world conflicts and a rapid transition to a more digital world.
"Investing in the health and wellbeing of young people is crucial for safeguarding our collective future.'
The authors of the commission's report point out that "investment in adolescent health will become increasingly important throughout the 21st century', adding: "As populations age and fertility rates fall in even the poorest countries, ensuring the health and wellbeing of adolescents will be crucial to all countries' health and prosperity.' - BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa
More Like This
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
AI-dependent doctors risk failing to detect colon cancer
Doctors who lean on "routine assistance" from artificial intelligence to carry out colonoscopies are at risk of losing the life-saving skills they have developed over years of on-the-job training. — Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa BERLIN: Doctors and other medical professionals who lean on "routine assistance" from artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out colonoscopies are at risk of losing the life-saving skills they have developed over years of on-the-job training. A study taking in over 1,400 colonoscopies at four Polish hospitals found a 20% decrease in the ability of "experienced health professionals" to detect precancerous colon growths following the introduction of AI to the process. "Continuous exposure to AI in colonoscopy" might reduce the effectiveness of "standard, non-AI assisted colonoscopy," the researchers warned. "Our results are concerning given the adoption of AI in medicine is rapidly spreading," says Marcin Romanczyk of the Academy of Silesia. "These findings temper the current enthusiasm for rapid adoption of AI-based technologies... and highlight the importance of carefully considering possible unintended clinical consequences," says Omer Ahmad of University College London, who was not involved in the study. Featured in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, a medical journal, the paper is the first "to suggest the implementation of AI could lead to a reduction in the ability of medical professionals and impact health outcomes which are important to patients," according to the publisher. The findings follow the publication of "several studies" that have suggested AI could help doctors identify cancers, according to The Lancet. "We urgently need more research into the impact of AI on health professional's skills across different medical fields," says Romanczyk. In their paper, Romanczyk and colleagues called for more "behavioural research" to look into "the currently under-investigated mechanisms of how AI affects physician capability." – dpa
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Gym-goers now going from Hulk to health
Flexing a new purpose: The local gym scene is evolving and shifting from pure bodybuilding to a broader focus on overall well-being. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Gym-goers these days are moving away from training for a muscular, action-hero physique like that of actors Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Jason Momoa. According to fitness trainer Dwayne Ang, 38, the priority has shifted from bulking up to staying fit and healthy, a trend that accelerated after the Covid-19 pandemic. 'In the past, people were mostly focused on building muscular bodies. 'But lifestyle changes have led to a growing number of people using gyms to stay fit rather than to build bulky physiques.' Ang said that health awareness has increased since the pandemic, with a growing number of people prioritising overall well-being. 'Many come in hoping to lose weight, but we advise them it is more important to lose fat, not just weight. 'We also tell them about proper diet and nutrition so they can be healthier,' he said. Ang, who is setting up a new gym in Bukit Mertajam, also noted a rise in female gym participation. 'Previously, about 70% of gym users were men. 'Today, women make up over 60% of those taking up personal training and memberships,' he added. While outdoor activities are popular, he said that people without the know-how or interest in sports still prefer gyms for guided workouts and professional training. Then there are gym-goers like businessman Michael Loh, who uses the gym for recovery and rehabilitation. 'I have knee osteoarthritis. And I had spinal surgery in 2019, which left a permanent hole the size of a 20sen coin in my backbone. 'I need machines with back support to exercise safely. 'For me, it's not leisure but a necessity to prevent further biomechanical issues,' said Loh, 55.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
Batik meets medicine: Malaysian doctor creates stylish, hospital-ready scrubs
A MALAYSIAN doctor, seeking a practical yet patriotic way to dress at work, has started a quiet fashion trend in hospitals by producing a range of hospital-compliant scrubs for healthcare sector employees. Dr Nisha Puvan, an internal medicine specialist with a special interest in gastroenterology and currently working in a government hospital here, said it started as a passion project. "Wearing vibrant (batik) prints lifted my spirits and created a positive vibration with my colleagues and patients,' she told Bernama in an interview recently. She is the founder craftbynishapuvan, a custom-made clothing brand, which she runs from Subang Jaya, Selangor. She said the idea took off during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 when she began making batik face masks. But a key turning point came in August 2023 when the Public Service Department issued a directive requiring civil servants, including doctors in public hospitals, to wear batik every Thursday. That was when Dr Nisha decided to create batik scrubs for hospital staff. To make sure the batik attire would not compromise practicality and hygiene, she did her own research, testing fabrics that met infection control standards while remaining breathable, durable and colourfast. "The scrubs had to be short-sleeved, free from embellishments that could potentially harbour bacteria and withstand frequent washing. "I wore them myself daily - tweaking pocket sizes, material thickness, and even testing how colours held up over time,' she said, adding her scrubs are made from cotton-blend fabrics adorned with batik prints, handcrafted by local artisans using traditional techniques. For Dr Nisha, functionality is key. "Doctors are constantly on the move - from clinics to wards to emergency situations - and we carry many items,' she said. "So I designed (scrubs with) large pockets and added tailored features without compromising style.' Today, her scrubs are being worn by many doctors working in government and private hospitals and at private practices nationwide. While she expressed her desire to collaborate with the Health Ministry to supply batik scrubs to public hospitals on a larger scale, currently, she receives bulk orders from only certain departments of government hospitals. In some district hospitals, some of their departments order them in specific colours - such as blue batik scrubs for Mondays and green for Tuesdays. Photo for illustrative purposes only - 123RF photo Her client base also includes Malaysian professionals working abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. "It is mostly Malaysians abroad who want to wear something that connects them to home. Batik gives them a sense of pride in being a Malaysian,' she said. Dr Nisha manages her business on her own, from handling her social media accounts and taking orders to quality control and packaging. "It is a one-woman show. I have a couple of tailors, but everything else is done by me,' she said, adding that her four-year-old twin daughters are also involved in the creative process. "If a print is not nice, they will say so. It is my way of introducing them to Malaysian heritage.' Apart from scrubs, craftbynishapuvan also creates custom-made batik sarees, cheongsam, baju Melayu, lehenga and coordinated family sets. "We cater to all body types. Some families choose a single signature batik print and request different styles to be made, such as a cheongsam for mum, Mandarin-collared shirt for dad and matching outfits for the children.' Recognising the need for modest wear among Muslim doctors, the brand is expanding its range of scrubs to include adjustable sleeves, longer tunics and higher necklines. Sustainability is also a priority, with craftbynishapuvan using deadstock fabrics - leftover materials from larger productions - to reduce waste. Dr Nisha attends to her business after working hours, often packaging orders at night whilst her children are asleep. "When I am at work, I stay fully focused on my patients. Craft comes after-hours… it is how I unwind and recalibrate,' she said. Referring to her batik scrubs, she said: "This is my form of patriotism. A quiet pride. We may not realise it, but even what we wear can carry our identity, dignity and culture into places that feel cold and clinical. "Every time I see a doctor in batik scrubs, not just in my hospital but any other place, it reminds me that Malaysian heritage is alive, adaptable and proudly worn.' - BERNAMA
