Obesity is climbing at an alarming rate globally, fueled by the relentless spread of ultraprocessed foods.
The statistics are staggering: The number of adults who are Class II has skyrocketed by nearly 150% in just two decades, from 157 million in 2010 to 385 million projected by 2030. And in Africa, the growth rate is even steeper: The number of obese adults is expected to surge over 200%, from 11.8 million to 37.2 million in 2030, according to the World Obesity Federation.
This growing health crisis is linked to the rise of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke, which cause 1.6 million premature deaths annually — more than road traffic accidents, according to the federation. But obesity is just one part of the challenge. Many low- and middle-income countries in Africa are experiencing the “double burden” of malnutrition, where undernutrition and overweight coexist within the same populations, households, or even individuals. This means that while some children suffer from stunting or wasting due to insufficient nutrients, others are consuming too many unhealthy, ultraprocessed foods, leading to obesity and diet-related diseases.
About the author
Ayenat Mersie
Ayenat Mersie is a Global Development Reporter for Devex. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist for publications such as National Geographic and Foreign Policy and as an East Africa correspondent for Reuters.
