Global Burden of Disease Report: Obesity Rises to the Top

Source: The Lancet

The recent Global Burden of Disease compilation published in The Lancet is eye opening. This is the largest systematic study to describe the global distribution and causes of a wide array of major diseases, injuries, and health risk factors.

The good news: infectious diseases, maternal and child illness, and malnutrition now cause fewer deaths and less illness than 20 years ago.

The bad news: there has been a massive shift (pun intended) in obesity as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the last 20 years, there is an estimated 82% increase in obesity rates worldwide. The health consequences are increases in diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Back in 1985, I watched the famous Live Aid concert to benefit the victims of starvation. 

Times have changed. 

The next such benefit concert, ObesityAid, will need to raise awareness and assistance for over-nutrition.