Over 46 Crore Adolescents Globally Will Be Obese By 2030, Says Study
New Delhi:
The health of adolescents is at a tipping point, with more than 46 crore adolescents globally estimated to be obese and face several health and mental disorders by 2030, according to an analysis published by the Lancet Commission on Wednesday.
In the second analysis on adolescent health and well-being since 2016, the Commission estimates that by 2030, one-third of adolescents in high-income countries in Latin America, and the Middle East will be overweight, underscoring the shortcomings in combating adolescent obesity.
The analysis, based on data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study, projects that 46.4 crore (or 464 million) adolescents globally will be overweight or obese by 2030 -- 143 million more than in 2015.
There will still be over 1 billion of the world's adolescents (aged 10-24 years) living in countries where preventable and treatable health problems like HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, unsafe sex, depression, poor nutrition and injury collectively threaten the health and well-being of adolescents.
Notably, in 2030, 4.2 crore years of healthy life will be lost to mental disorders or suicide (20 lakh more than in 2015).
"The health and well-being of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point, with mixed progress observed over the past three decades," said Commission co-chair, Professor Sarah Baird, from George Washington University in the US.
"While 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," she added.
Further, the Commission also identified several significant new threats to adolescent health such as climate change and the shift toward a more digital world.
Today's adolescents are the first generation who will live their entire lives with the average annual global temperature that has consistently been 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels.
And by 2100, 1.9 billion adolescents will live in a world that is expected to warm to around 2.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, bringing catastrophic risks to their health such as heat-related illnesses, reduction in food and water quality and availability, and a rise in mental health conditions related to climate events.
The projections suggest that, without political will, policy initiatives, and financial investments, there will still be more than 1 billion adolescents living in multi-burden countries in 2030.
Baird urged for increasingly "investing in the health and well-being of young people" to safeguard the "collective future".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Know the truth: Common myths about cervical cancer explained
According to Globocon 2020, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer amongst women globally. India alone accounts for one-quarter of the global burden, with an estimated 1,23,907 new cases and 77,348 deaths Today spoke with Dr Pratima Raj, Associate Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Manipal Hospital Old Airport gain insights on the most common misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer and why awareness is key to early detection and considerable awareness campaigns and media attention on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination, the topic remains riddled with misinformation. Myths persist around screening, vaccines, and HPV itself, often preventing timely intervention. With the right information, however, cervical cancer is largely preventable and HPV ONLY AFFECTS PROMISCUOUS WOMEN Fact: HPV can affect any sexually active woman. Even one sexual partner is enough to contract HPV. Studies reveal that over 80 percent of women will acquire HPV by age HAVING HPV MEANS YOU'LL GET CERVICAL CANCERFact: While HPV is common, most infections resolve on their own. Only persistent high-risk strains can lead to cancerous changes. Regular screening helps detect these HPV INFECTIONS HAVE SYMPTOMSFact: Most HPV infections are asymptomatic. High-risk strains often go unnoticed unless caught through Pap smears or HPV symptoms of cervical cancer (if present) include abnormal discharge, irregular or heavy bleeding, post-coital bleeding, and pelvic or abdominal SCREENING IS THE ONLY PREVENTIVE MEASUREadvertisementFact: In addition to Pap tests and HPV testing, lifestyle factors play a role. Avoiding smoking, delaying sexual activity, and limiting partners can reduce risk. Other risk factors include chlamydia or HIV infections and weakened VACCINATED WOMEN DON'T NEED PAP TESTSFact: The HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all cancer-causing strains. Even vaccinated women should continue regular Pap and HPV PAP TESTS ARE NEEDED ANNUALLYFact: Current guidelines recommend:Ages 21–29: Pap test every 3 yearsAges 30–65: Pap + HPV co-test every 5 years65 and older: screening may stop if past tests were normalMYTH: HPV CLEARS ON ITS OWNFact: While some infections resolve naturally, others persist and can lead to genital warts or monitoring is CERVICAL CANCER ENDS FERTILITYFact: Fertility-preserving treatments are now available for early-stage cases.A hysterectomy is not always CERVICAL CANCER IS HEREDITARYFact: Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, not inherited like breast or ovarian and screening remain the best ONLY WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS ARE AT RISKFact: Even one sexual encounter can expose someone to is a sexually transmitted infection, not a moral LONG GAPS IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY ELIMINATE RISKadvertisementFact: Cervical cancer can develop long after infection, regardless of recent sexual PAP TESTS DETECT OVARIAN OR UTERINE CANCERFact: Cervical screening only checks the does not detect cancers of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian HPV VACCINES ARE ONLY FOR TEENAGERSFact: The vaccine is most effective before sexual activity, but still beneficial for those already sexually ONLY WOMEN SHOULD WORRY ABOUT HPVFact: All genders are vulnerable to is recommended for ages 9– CONDOMS FULLY PREVENT HPVFact: Condoms reduce but don't eliminate the risk due to skin-to-skin CERVICAL CANCER IS ALWAYS FATALFact: When detected early, treatment is highly effective, and survival rates are OLDER WOMEN ARE NOT AT RISK OF HPVFact: HPV can affect anyone, regardless of THERE'S NO CURE FOR CERVICAL CANCERSurgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can be curative, especially in early stages. Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is largely preventable and highly treatable when detected vaccination, regular screening, and healthy lifestyle choices, women (and all who are at risk) can dramatically reduce their chances of developing this disease. Armed with facts rather than fears, every woman can take charge of her reproductive health and help ensure that cervical cancer becomes a chapter of the past, not the Reel
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
How extreme heat is affecting India
Around 76% of India's population is currently at high to very high risk from extreme heat, according to a new study. People living in Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh face the highest risk from heat in the country, the analysis suggests. The study, 'How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk', was published on May 20. It was carried out by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) researchers: Shravan Prabhu, Keerthana Anthikat Suresh, Srishti Mandal, Divyanshu Sharma, and Vishwas Chitale. For their analysis, the researchers developed a heat risk index (HRI), which assessed heat risk across 734 districts in India. The index is based on 35 indicators, including an increase in frequency of very hot days, population density, percentage of persons with disability, and change in land use and land cover. Understanding heat risk Contrary to common perception, heat risk is quite different from heat waves and heat stress. While heatwaves — they do not have any universal definition — usually refer to prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures in a specific region, heat stress is when the body temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius in humans and animals. At this temperature, the body is not able to effectively remove excess heat, which can lead to discomfort, heat cramps, and exhaustion. If the body temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius, a heat stroke can occur. Heat risk, on the other hand, is essentially the probability of experiencing heat-related illnesses or death due to exposure to extreme temperatures. It depends on three crucial factors: 'the intensity of the heat (and its compounding effects such as humidity); the degree of exposure; and the underlying vulnerabilities of affected communities,' according to the CEEW study. Factors driving heat risk RISE IN NUMBER OF VERY WARM NIGHTS: In the years between 2012 and 2022, the number of very warm nights has increased faster than very warm days, the study found. More than 70% of districts witnessed five or more additional very warm nights per summer (March to June) during this period. 'These nights and days are defined as periods when minimum and maximum temperatures rise above… what was normal for 95% of the time in the past,' it said. This is concerning because higher temperatures during the night make it difficult for the body to cool down after intense daytime heat, which can lead to a rise in health risks such as heat strokes and worsening of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. INCREASE IN RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN NORTH INDIA: The study found out that between 2012 and 2022 the relative humidity — the amount of water that is present in the air compared to the greatest amount it would be possible for the air to hold at that temperature — has significantly increased in North India, particularly in Indo-Gangetic Plain. While North India used to have around 30–40% relative humidity during the baseline period between 1982 and 2011, it increased to 40-50% between 2012 and 2022. Higher relative humidity is an issue as it exacerbates heat stress on the human body, especially during the peak summer months. This happens because high relative humidity makes it harder for the body to cool down through sweat after the body temperature crosses 37 degrees Celsius. 'This can increase the occurrence of several heat-related illnesses at a faster rate,' the CEEW study said. HIGH POPULATION DENSITY & INCREASE IN URBANISATION: Apart from very warm nights, very warm days, and relative humidity, several other factors also influence heat risk. For instance, the study found that districts with high population density such as Mumbai and Delhi face the highest exposure to extreme heat. Districts, especially tier II and III cities such as Pune, Thoothukudi and Gurugram, which have seen rapid urbanisation in recent years have witnessed hotter nights. That is because of the emergence of concrete infrastructure which absorbs a lot of heat during the day and releases it during the night. Districts in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are highly vulnerable to extreme heat. This is due to the combined impact of high temperatures and socio-economic and health vulnerabilities such as more elderly people and a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, according to the study. The significance The year 2024 was the warmest year on record for the world, including India. While the global average annual mean temperature during the year was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 period), the temperature over India in 2024 was about 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than the 1901-1910 average. Although the temperature rise in India is lower than the increase over the world, the country is already witnessing adverse effects of global warming. For instance, in 2024, India saw its longest recorded heatwave since 2010. There were more than 44,000 cases of heatstroke in the country last year. The situation has been worsened as India's heat action plans (HAPs) — early warning systems and preparedness plans for extreme heat events — remain lacking in some ways. For instance, most of the HAPs put forth by multiple Indian cities lack long-term strategies to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the country, according to a study, published in March this year, by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), a New Delhi-based research organisation. The analysis also said that the cities having such strategies did not implement them effectively. Such gaps in planning could result in a higher number of heat-related deaths due to more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves in the following years, according to the study.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Maha sees sharp drop in heatstroke cases this year
Maharashtra has recorded a significant drop in heatstroke cases this year, with only 124 cases reported thus far as compared to 347 cases during the corresponding period last year. Furthermore, not a single heatstroke-related fatality has been reported this year although three suspected deaths linked to heat-related illnesses were reported, officials said. This, despite 2025 being one of the hottest years with several parts of the state reporting temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius which placed immense stress on healthcare systems and communities. In 2024, three suspected heatstroke deaths and one confirmed heatstroke death were reported in Bhandara district. Whereas in 2023, a record 3,191 heatstroke cases including 16 suspected heatstroke deaths and 14 confirmed heatstroke deaths were reported across the state. State health officials said that the decline in numbers this year is due to increased public awareness, timely health advisories, and better preparedness to combat extreme heat conditions. Dr Kailas Baviskar, deputy director of health services, said, 'Regular updates through media, early warning systems, and distribution of guidelines to district administrations helped reduce the impact of the heatwave this year.' Dr Baviskar further said that in addition to public awareness campaigns, the government had set up cold rooms in hospitals; ensured availability of drinking water at key locations; and instructed field-level health workers to monitor vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and outdoor workers. 'Citizens have also become more cautious, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and staying hydrated,' he said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of heatstroke cases this year including 20 in Yavatmal district, followed by 16 in Buldhana, 10 in Kolhapur, and nine in Palghar. Pune district reported only one case of heatstroke. Whereas all three suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in Nagpur district, officials said. Heatstroke is a serious heat-related emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature due to exposure to heat. A patient is diagnosed to have suffered a heatstroke if he/she has an elevated body temperature equal to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and has an altered mental status including disorientation, delirium and seizure. While the number of heatstroke cases has fallen this year, health experts have warned about climate change continuing to pose long-term challenges, stressing on the need for continued vigilance and proactive planning in the coming years.
