Inside Story

Can the global march of obesity be stopped?

Experts predict a billion people will be obese by 2025, but stopping the crisis may take more than a change in diets.

Researchers say the United Nations’ aim of halting the rise of obesity across the world is on track to failure.

At the current rate, experts believe a billion people will be classed as obese within 10 years.

And it is not just a problem for those living in wealthy nations. Many developing countries are also experiencing a rapid rise in obesity.

The diseases obesity creates kill about three million people every year, and one assessment has found that the cost on the global economy is $2 trillion a year.

Leading scientists say tackling the issue goes beyond a simple change in diet.

So who can halt the rise in obesity?

 

Presenter: Shiulie Ghosh 

Guests: 

Dr. Mohamud Verjee – Director of Primary Care at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. 

Tam Fry – Spokesman for the UK’s National Obesity Forum. 

Shikha Sharma – Dietitian and founder of Nutri-Health, working on weight management and lifestyle disorders.