심각해지는 아동 비만

아동 비만에 관한 새로운 보고에 따르면, 아동 건강을 보호하기 위한 주요 정책을 채택하지 않으면 비만 아동 수가 증가할 것이라고 한다. 세계비만재단(WOF)이 발행한 최초 아동 비만 지도책에서 아동 비만 수준이 2010-2012년 비율을 초과하지 않도록 하는 목표를 달성하는 데 근접한 국가는 없다.

보고서에 나온 191개국 중 156개국이 목표에 도달할 확률은 10% 미만이다. 신흥 경제국이 성장을 주도하면서 아동 비만 수준이 향후 몇 년 동안 증가할 것으로 예상되기 때문이다.

#5년 남다

2013년에 세계 지도자들은 아동 비만 수준의 증가를 억제하고 2025년에는 2010-2012년보다 더 높아지지 않도록 하는 데 동의했다. 마감 시한까지 5년이 남았지만 아무도 그 목표에 도달하지 못했다. 
비만과 함께 생활하는 5~19세 어린이 수는 2030년까지 전 세계적으로 2억 5,400만 명에 이를 것으로 예상되며 아시아, 중동 및 라틴 아메리카 국가가 증가를 주도하고 있다.
세계 선두는 중국으로 6천만 명 이상의 어린이가 비만으로 분류될 것으로 예상되며 인도가 2천 7백만 명으로 그 뒤를 이었다. 향후 10년 동안 각각 400만 명의 비만 아동이 예상 된다. CNN은 이 숫자가 증가하는 이유는 이 지역이 빠르게 변화하는 생활 방식과 부유한 국가와 가난한 국가 모두에서 "정크 푸드의 인기가 높아지고 공격적 마케팅"이 이루어지기 때문이라고 분석했다.

WOF의 정책 이사이자 보고서 작성자 중 한 명인 Tim Lobstein은 뉴스 에이전시에 "전통적인 식단과 일을 하는 방식에서 벗어나는 전환이 있다."라고 말했다. "사람들은 더 적은 에너지를 소비하고 더 앉아 있고 설탕, 기름, 전분 및 지방이 많은 서양식 식단을 채택하고 있다."

그는 예측의 "비정상적인 증가"가 그를 놀라게 했다고 덧붙였다. Lobstein은 아동기 비만이 성인기의 비만과 연관되어 건강 시스템에 상당한 부담을 줄 것이며, 이는 차례로 심장병 및 당뇨병을 초래할 수 있다고 했다.
"엄청난 도약이다. 특히 개발 도상국에서 의료 시스템을 마비시킬 것이다."라고 저자는 말했다.

#방치는 수십억의 비용을 초래

WOF CEO Johanna Ralston은 어린이 건강에 대한 부정적인 영향 외에 아동 비만의 증가가 이 문제를 해결하는 국가의 능력에 큰 영향을 미친다고 말했다. 카타르 국영 방송 Al Jazeera와의 인터뷰에서 오늘날 비만 어린이는 "높은 수준의 결과적 질병"에 취약한 비만 성인이 될 가능성이 있다고 말했다. 이러한 질병에는 심혈관 문제, 당뇨병, 특정 종류의 암, 담석 및 호흡 문제가 포함 된다. 그녀는 어린 시절의 예방 및 치료 부족이 많은 국가에서 의료 서비스에 대한 더 높은 비용을 반영할 것이라고 덧붙였다.

아동 비만의 경제적 비용을 반영하는 공식 데이터는 없지만 성인의 비만(그 중 20억 명이 영향을 받음)을 치료하는 데 2030년까지 연간 1조 3천억 달러의 비용이 들 것이라고 알 자지라는 WOF 보고서의 추정치를 인용했다. 또한 Ralston은 "그리고 우리는 소외라는 측면에서 개인이 치러야 하는 비용을 잊어서는 안 된다."라고 말했다. 한편, 많은 국가의 의료 서비스가 비용을 감당할 수 없을 것이라고 말했다.

그는 영국 신문 가디언과의 인터뷰에서 "이러한 수치가 점점 더 나빠지는 것을 듣는 데 어느 정도 피로가 있을 수 있다"면서 "아무것도 하지 않는 것은 세계 경제를 줄이기 위해 시장에 심각한 개입을 하는 것보다 훨씬 더 많은 비용을 들게 할 것"이라고 덧붙였다. 

꺼림칙한 정부

Lobstein에 따르면 정책 입안자들과 국가들이 비만 문제를 심각하게 받아들이기 시작했다고 말하는 새로운 성명이 있다.
그는 "기후 위기와 글로벌 과열과 마찬가지로 우리는 사람들과 지구의 건강을 개선하기 위해 자유 시장에 개입하려는 저항을 보고 있다"고 말했다. 그러나 비만 문제를 해결하기 위한 정부의 조치는 미약하며 Lobstein은 정부가 느리게 행동하거나 전혀 행동하지 않는다고 말했다.

지금까지 70%의 국가가 상업적 이익에 반대하는 강한 저항을 가지고 있기 때문에 건강한 식단에 대한 국가 지침 시행과 같은 주요 정책을 채택하지 못했다.

#뻔한 건강에 해로운 음식

정책 이사는 설탕 및 소다세와 같은 이니셔티브는 이러한 정책을 저소득 국가에서 시행하기 어렵기 때문에 영향이 미미하다고 지적했다. 이러한 경제는 상업적 이해관계에 의해 설득될 가능성이 더 높기 때문이다.

"식품 산업의 상업적 이익은 비만 문제의 주요 원인이지만 정책이 존재하는 국가에서도 시행되지 않습니다."라고 Ralston이 말했다.

비만은 보조금을 받는 식품의 소비 증가와 정부 기관의 방치로 인해 수십 년 동안 주요 문제가 되었다. 덜 활동적인 교통 수단과 어린이들이 충분한 활동을 하지 않는 것도 계속되는 문제의 요인이다. 이러한 원인은 개별적으로 해결할 수 있지만 정부는 또한 상업적 이익보다 공중 보건을 우선시하면서 더 건강한 생활 방식을 채택할 수 있도록 조치를 취하고 모범을 보여야 한다.

영문 원문

Failure to adopt key policies to protect children's health will lead to an increase in the number of obese children, according to a new report on childhood obesity.

In the first Atlas of Childhood Obesity, published by the World Obesity Foundation (WOF) last week, no country is close to meeting the target of ensuring that childhood obesity levels will not surpass the 2010-2012 rates.

There's less than a 10 percent chance that 156 of the 191 countries in the report have a chance of reaching their targets as child obesity levels are predicted to rise in the coming years—with emerging economies driving the growth.

Five years left

In 2013, world leaders agreed to curb the rise of childhood obesity levels and ensure that that it will not be higher in 2025 than in 2010-2012.They have five years left until the deadline—and none of them is on track to reach that goal.

The number of children aged 5 to 19 years old living with obesity is predicted to reach 254 million by 2030 worldwide—and countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving the increase.

Leading the world list is China, with over 60 million children expected to be classified as obese followed by India with 27 million, and the US as third with nearly 17 million.Nigeria and South Africa are leading the nations in Africa with over six million and four million obese children, respectively, in the next decade.

CNN reports that the increasing numbers are due to the rapidly changing lifestyles in the regions, as well as the "growing popularity and aggressive marketing of junk food" both in rich and poor countries.

"There's a transition away from traditional diets and ways of doing things," Tim Lobstein, director of policy at the WOF and one of the authors of the report, told the news agency. "People are expending less energy, becoming more sedentary and adopting a Western-style diet that's high in sugar, oil, starch, and fat."

He added that the "extraordinary increase" in the forecast surprised him.Lobstein warned that childhood obesity will likely sanction a significant burden on health systems with its association with obesity in adulthood which, in turn, is linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

"That's a massive leap.It will flood health systems, particularly in developing countries," the author said.

Neglect can cost billions

Aside from the adverse effects on children's health, WOF CEO Johanna Ralston said the rising level of childhood obesity also has major effects on a nation's capacity to address the issue.

Speaking with Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-funded broadcaster, Ralston said obese children today are likely to grow up to become obese adults who are vulnerable to "a high level of consequential diseases." These diseases include cardiovascular problems, diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, gallstones, and breathing problems.

She added that the lack of prevention and treatment during childhood will reflect higher costs for health services in many countries.

Although there is no official data reflecting the economic cost of childhood obesity, dealing with obesity among adults (two billion of which are affected) would cost $1.3 trillion annually by 2030, Al Jazeera reports, citing estimates from the WOF report.

"And we should not forget the cost for the individual in terms of marginalization," Ralston noted.

Meanwhile, Lobstein said health services in many countries won't be able to cope with the costs.

"There may be a certain fatigue in listening to these figures getting worse and worse," he told the British newspaper The Guardian adding, "but doing nothing is going to cost an awful lot more than making serious interventions in the marketplace to reduce the global marketing of soft drinks and ultra-processed foods."

Reluctance of governments

There are emerging statements from policymakers and countries saying they are beginning to take the obesity issue seriously, according to Lobstein.

"A bit like the climate crisis and global overheating, we see resistance to intervene in what are otherwise free markets in order to improve people’s and the planet’s health," he said.

However, government action towards addressing obesity has been weak and Lobstein said governments are either acting slowly or not at all.

So far, 70 percent of countries failed to adopt key policies like implementing national guidelines for healthy diets because they have a strong resistance to go against commercial interests—with multinational companies around the world pushing nutritious foods out of the marketplace with their production of cheap yet unhealthy food.

Initiatives such as sugar and soda taxes have a small impact since these policies are difficult to enact in lower-income countries, the policy director noted, since these economies are more likely to be persuaded by commercial interests.

"Commercial interests of the food industry are a major contributor to the obesity challenge, but even in countries where policies exist, they are not implemented," Ralston said.

Obesity has become a major challenge for decades, partly due to the rising consumption of subsidized food and neglect from governing bodies.Less active modes of transportation and kids not getting enough activity are also factors for the continuing challenge.

While these causes can be addressed individually, governments should also take action and lead as an example for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle while also putting public health ahead of commercial interests.

Failure to adopt key policies to protect children's health will lead to an increase in the number of obese children, according to a new report on childhood obesity.

In the first Atlas of Childhood Obesity, published by the World Obesity Foundation (WOF) last week, no country is close to meeting the target of ensuring that childhood obesity levels will not surpass the 2010-2012 rates.

There's less than a 10 percent chance that 156 of the 191 countries in the report have a chance of reaching their targets as child obesity levels are predicted to rise in the coming years—with emerging economies driving the growth.

Five years left

In 2013, world leaders agreed to curb the rise of childhood obesity levels and ensure that that it will not be higher in 2025 than in 2010-2012.They have five years left until the deadline—and none of them is on track to reach that goal.

The number of children aged 5 to 19 years old living with obesity is predicted to reach 254 million by 2030 worldwide—and countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving the increase.

Leading the world list is China, with over 60 million children expected to be classified as obese followed by India with 27 million, and the US as third with nearly 17 million.Nigeria and South Africa are leading the nations in Africa with over six million and four million obese children, respectively, in the next decade.

CNN reports that the increasing numbers are due to the rapidly changing lifestyles in the regions, as well as the "growing popularity and aggressive marketing of junk food" both in rich and poor countries.

"There's a transition away from traditional diets and ways of doing things," Tim Lobstein, director of policy at the WOF and one of the authors of the report, told the news agency. "People are expending less energy, becoming more sedentary and adopting a Western-style diet that's high in sugar, oil, starch, and fat."

He added that the "extraordinary increase" in the forecast surprised him.Lobstein warned that childhood obesity will likely sanction a significant burden on health systems with its association with obesity in adulthood which, in turn, is linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

"That's a massive leap.It will flood health systems, particularly in developing countries," the author said.

Neglect can cost billions

Aside from the adverse effects on children's health, WOF CEO Johanna Ralston said the rising level of childhood obesity also has major effects on a nation's capacity to address the issue.

Speaking with Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-funded broadcaster, Ralston said obese children today are likely to grow up to become obese adults who are vulnerable to "a high level of consequential diseases." These diseases include cardiovascular problems, diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, gallstones, and breathing problems.

She added that the lack of prevention and treatment during childhood will reflect higher costs for health services in many countries.

Although there is no official data reflecting the economic cost of childhood obesity, dealing with obesity among adults (two billion of which are affected) would cost $1.3 trillion annually by 2030, Al Jazeera reports, citing estimates from the WOF report.

"And we should not forget the cost for the individual in terms of marginalization," Ralston noted.

Meanwhile, Lobstein said health services in many countries won't be able to cope with the costs.

"There may be a certain fatigue in listening to these figures getting worse and worse," he told the British newspaper The Guardian adding, "but doing nothing is going to cost an awful lot more than making serious interventions in the marketplace to reduce the global marketing of soft drinks and ultra-processed foods."

Reluctance of governments

There are emerging statements from policymakers and countries saying they are beginning to take the obesity issue seriously, according to Lobstein.

"A bit like the climate crisis and global overheating, we see resistance to intervene in what are otherwise free markets in order to improve people’s and the planet’s health," he said.

However, government action towards addressing obesity has been weak and Lobstein said governments are either acting slowly or not at all.

So far, 70 percent of countries failed to adopt key policies like implementing national guidelines for healthy diets because they have a strong resistance to go against commercial interests—with multinational companies around the world pushing nutritious foods out of the marketplace with their production of cheap yet unhealthy food.

Initiatives such as sugar and soda taxes have a small impact since these policies are difficult to enact in lower-income countries, the policy director noted, since these economies are more likely to be persuaded by commercial interests.

"Commercial interests of the food industry are a major contributor to the obesity challenge, but even in countries where policies exist, they are not implemented," Ralston said.

Obesity has become a major challenge for decades, partly due to the rising consumption of subsidized food and neglect from governing bodies.Less active modes of transportation and kids not getting enough activity are also factors for the continuing challenge.

While these causes can be addressed individually, governments should also take action and lead as an example for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle while also putting public health ahead of commercial interests.Failure to adopt key policies to protect children's health will lead to an increase in the number of obese children, according to a new report on childhood obesity.

In the first Atlas of Childhood Obesity, published by the World Obesity Foundation (WOF) last week, no country is close to meeting the target of ensuring that childhood obesity levels will not surpass the 2010-2012 rates.

There's less than a 10 percent chance that 156 of the 191 countries in the report have a chance of reaching their targets as child obesity levels are predicted to rise in the coming years—with emerging economies driving the growth.

Five years left

In 2013, world leaders agreed to curb the rise of childhood obesity levels and ensure that that it will not be higher in 2025 than in 2010-2012.They have five years left until the deadline—and none of them is on track to reach that goal.

The number of children aged 5 to 19 years old living with obesity is predicted to reach 254 million by 2030 worldwide—and countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are driving the increase.

Leading the world list is China, with over 60 million children expected to be classified as obese followed by India with 27 million, and the US as third with nearly 17 million.Nigeria and South Africa are leading the nations in Africa with over six million and four million obese children, respectively, in the next decade.

CNN reports that the increasing numbers are due to the rapidly changing lifestyles in the regions, as well as the "growing popularity and aggressive marketing of junk food" both in rich and poor countries.

"There's a transition away from traditional diets and ways of doing things," Tim Lobstein, director of policy at the WOF and one of the authors of the report, told the news agency. "People are expending less energy, becoming more sedentary and adopting a Western-style diet that's high in sugar, oil, starch, and fat."

He added that the "extraordinary increase" in the forecast surprised him.Lobstein warned that childhood obesity will likely sanction a significant burden on health systems with its association with obesity in adulthood which, in turn, is linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

"That's a massive leap.It will flood health systems, particularly in developing countries," the author said.

Neglect can cost billions

Aside from the adverse effects on children's health, WOF CEO Johanna Ralston said the rising level of childhood obesity also has major effects on a nation's capacity to address the issue.

Speaking with Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-funded broadcaster, Ralston said obese children today are likely to grow up to become obese adults who are vulnerable to "a high level of consequential diseases." These diseases include cardiovascular problems, diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, gallstones, and breathing problems.

She added that the lack of prevention and treatment during childhood will reflect higher costs for health services in many countries.

Although there is no official data reflecting the economic cost of childhood obesity, dealing with obesity among adults (two billion of which are affected) would cost $1.3 trillion annually by 2030, Al Jazeera reports, citing estimates from the WOF report.

"And we should not forget the cost for the individual in terms of marginalization," Ralston noted.

Meanwhile, Lobstein said health services in many countries won't be able to cope with the costs.

"There may be a certain fatigue in listening to these figures getting worse and worse," he told the British newspaper The Guardian adding, "but doing nothing is going to cost an awful lot more than making serious interventions in the marketplace to reduce the global marketing of soft drinks and ultra-processed foods."

Reluctance of governments

There are emerging statements from policymakers and countries saying they are beginning to take the obesity issue seriously, according to Lobstein.

"A bit like the climate crisis and global overheating, we see resistance to intervene in what are otherwise free markets in order to improve people’s and the planet’s health," he said.

However, government action towards addressing obesity has been weak and Lobstein said governments are either acting slowly or not at all.

So far, 70 percent of countries failed to adopt key policies like implementing national guidelines for healthy diets because they have a strong resistance to go against commercial interests—with multinational companies around the world pushing nutritious foods out of the marketplace with their production of cheap yet unhealthy food.

Initiatives such as sugar and soda taxes have a small impact since these policies are difficult to enact in lower-income countries, the policy director noted, since these economies are more likely to be persuaded by commercial interests.

"Commercial interests of the food industry are a major contributor to the obesity challenge, but even in countries where policies exist, they are not implemented," Ralston said.

Obesity has become a major challenge for decades, partly due to the rising consumption of subsidized food and neglect from governing bodies.Less active modes of transportation and kids not getting enough activity are also factors for the continuing challenge.

While these causes can be addressed individually, governments should also take action and lead as an example for people to adopt a healthier lifestyle while also putting public health ahead of commercial interests.