Globesity Overweight World

A 21-year old Chinese man being  treated for obesity [EPA]

The World Health Organization estimates that 400 million adults are currently obese meaning they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. That number is projected to reach 700 million by 2015.

Once thought to be a problem of wealthy nations, the numbers of overweight and obese are dramatically on the rise in low and middle-income countries and even more so in urban settings.

The global epidemic of overweight and obesity has become so pervasive that health experts are calling it 'globesity'. Of course, globesity brings with it a whole host of other healthcare problems including increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.   

On Tuesday's 'Riz Khan' we talk with nutrition and obesity experts about what is behind the world’s growing waistlines and whether or not it is linked to globalization and the export of America’s fast-food culture. 

Dr. Lalita Kaul, author of 'Healthy Heart South Asian Diet' and Dulcie Ward, nutritionist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, join our program. 

Watch this episode of Riz Khan here:

Watch this episode of Street Talk here: 

'Riz Khan' aired live at 1900GMT Monday-Thursday, with repeats at 0000GMT, 0500GMT, and 0930GMT.


This episode of Riz Khan airs on Tuesday 4th September 2007.