OREANDA-NEWS. Economists of the World Bank recall that obesity is connected with increased government spending and negatively affects global economy.

In the report entitled “Obesity: Health and Economic Consequences of an Impending Global Challenge,” experts note that there are more and more people who are overweight in the world. It influences the national economies of many countries, so analysts suggest that politicians form citizens’ adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

According to the authors of the report, now 44 % (more than 2 billion) of adults, 20 % of adolescents and 6 % of children under five years are obese or overweight. These figures have grown almost three times since 1975.

Due to diseases associated with being overweight, about 4 million people die every year. Overweight people retire earlier. This leads to a decrease in labour productivity and adversely affects the health system. The World Bank warns that spending on pension and medical systems will continue to rise in the future.