The Obesity Epidemic In Emerging Economies

We all read articles about the obesity epidemic in the ‘developed countries’ like the US for instance. Gastric bands surgeries offered to overweight patients on the NHS (the UK’s National Health system) caused polemic discussions and we also have seen various campaigns aiming to tackle obesity. Obesity concerns have been on media for decades.

However, in emerging economies obesity (as well as the increase of overweight population) is a relatively new phenomenon. Countries became richer and also fatter. Not surprisingly, the reduction in unemployment rates and increase in disposable income played a big part in the emerging markets dietary and lifestyle changes.

A study published by Brazil’s Ministry of Health showed some worrying findings. Looking at the BRICS, Brazil has the third largest (52.5%) overweight population (those with BMI 25 or greater), only behind South Africa and Russia. Alarmingly, more than half of Brazil’s population has become overweight, comparing to 43%…