Rate of childhood obesity has increased more than ten times in 40 years

The number has increased dramatically in the last 40 years.

Obesity rates in children and teenagers worldwide have increased over ten times since 1975. In the 70s, the figure came in at 11 million, however, new studies have shown that that number now stands at 124 million children and teens worldwide. These shocking new figures indicate that by 2022, there will be more obese children than underweights ones for the first time. In 1975, roughly 0.9 percent of boys and 0.7 percent of girls were obese. Those figures have now risen to 7.8 percent and 5.6 percent respectively.

#Obesity rates in OECD c'tries US 38% Mexico 32% UK 27% Germany 24% France 15% Italy 10% Japan 4%https://t.co/C9aFnRtFwO | #WorldObesityDay pic.twitter.com/LG9YfhuEfJ

— OECD Social (@OECD_Social) October 11, 2017

The study also shows that the majority of the increase is in developing countries.

“Obesity rates in children and adolescents have soared globally, and continue to do so in low- and middle-income countries,” said study leader, Professor Majid Ezzati. “We need ways to make healthy, nutritious food more available at home and school, especially in poor families and communities, and regulations and taxes to protect children from unhealthy foods.”