A new analysis of the obesity epidemic found it costs the world about $2 trillion per year.
Over 2.1 billion, or 30 percent, of the global population is overweight or obese. That's about two and a half times the number of adults who are undernourished, the consulting firm McKinsey and Company reported. Obesity is believed to be responsible for 5 percent of deaths worldwide, which is basically equivalent to the impact of smoking or armed violence.
The preventable problem is believed to be growing and is predicted to affect almost half of the world's adults by the year 2030. A new McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) discussion paper looked at ways to help curb the problem.
"We see our work on a potential program to address obesity as the equivalent of the maps used by 16th century navigators. Some islands were missing and some continents misshapen in these maps, but they were still helpful to the sailors of that era," the researchers stated. "We are sure that we have missed some interventions and over- or underestimated the impact of others. But we hope that our work will be a useful guide and a starting point for efforts in the years to come, as we and others develop this analysis and gradually compile a more comprehensive evidence base on this topic."
The review's findings indicated no single intervention is likely to solve the problem, but rather a "systemic, sustained portfolio of initiatives" is the solution. Almost all of the identified interventions (shown below) are believed to be cost-effective and have potential for success.
Education is an important tool in the fight against obesity, but less conscious social and environmental changes are also extremely important. Some of these interventions could include reducing default portion sizes and changing marketing practices.
The study concluded with the suggestion of four imperatives: deploy as many interventions as possible on a global scale; learn how to "align incentives and build cooperation"; avoid pointing undue focus on interventions (because this can slow down constructive action); and engage in trial and error approaches, especially when risks are low.
The paper is titled "Overcoming obesity: An initial economic analysis."
SEE OUTLINED INTERVENTIONS BELOW:
