Obesity bigger problem than hunger, claims the Global Burden of Disease Report

For the first time, being overweight is a larger global problem than the lack of nutrition maintains the Global Burden of Disease report (New Scientist, 22/29 December 2012). The Global Burden of Disease report is the largest study on the state of world health. It involved 500 scientists in 50 countries. It assessed the prevalence of diseases and causes of deaths across the globe in 2010 and compared the data with 1970 and 1990 data.

The report states that many childhood diseases (such as infections, diarrhea and birth problems) are being reduced, but adults are spending more of their lives in poor health. The rate of death in under-5 year old children has decreased by 60% since 1990. In 1990 under-nutrition was the leading cause of disease – in 2010 it dropped to 8^th place. Obesity was ranked the 10^th highest cause of disease in 1990 – in 2010 it has risen to 6^th place. Stroke and heart disease caused by high blood pressure brought on by obesity are responsible for 25% of global deaths. Despite this, overall the global population is living longer. For example, the life expectancy in the Maldives has increased by almost 30 years between 1990 and 2010. Life expectancy has also increased in Bangladesh and Iran.

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Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

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