[Obesity and diabetes, a global problem: what does recent data tell us?]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Non-Communicable Diseases

Background:

• Obesity and diabetes are significant global health challenges.
• Recent large-scale studies provide updated data on these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze worldwide and Italian trends in Body Mass Index (BMI) and diabetes prevalence.
• To report on the changes observed over the past four decades.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Non Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration.
• Analyzed trends in BMI and diabetes prevalence across various countries.

Main Results:

• Global obesity increased from 105 million in 1975 to 641 million in 2014.
• Obesity prevalence more than tripled in men and doubled in women since 1975.
• Italian adult obesity rose to 25% for both genders by 2014.
• Adult diabetes prevalence has increased globally, quadrupling from 1980 to 2014.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant and alarming rise in global obesity and diabetes rates.
• These trends are particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries.
• Urgent public health interventions are needed to address these escalating epidemics.